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Class D is just Dandy!

I thought it was time we had a pro- Class D thread. There's plenty of threads about comparisons, or detractors of Class D.

That's fine, you don't have to like Class D amps, and if you don't please go participate on one of those threads.

For those of us who are very happy and excited about having musical, capable amps that we can afford to keep on 24/7 and don't require large spaces to put them in, this thread is for you.

Please share your experiences with class D amps!
erik_squires
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,554 posts
 
@kdude66 

That's quite a coincidence...I just ordered a pair of Bel Canto's REF600M's to try them out. The ATI 544NC amp is equipped with dual NC-500 modules in bridge mode per channel, so plenty of power (900W in 4 ohms load) to drive any speaker out there. 

I didn't want to end my quest for a 'perfect' Class D amp without auditioning the REF600's. 

PS: I did find @georgehifi comment about REF600's little discouraging.  

Cheers! 
erik_squires OP
16,130 posts
 
I am a big a fan of excess as anyone, but at this point I'm going to have to wonder if big power matters ? I mean, come on! :)  :) :)

I also worry, like Nelson Pass, if big amps are worse performers in the first watt.

What do you guys think? Have you heard "better" in digital as you got "bigger" ?
samac's avatar
samac
499 posts
 
@guidocorona 

I'm glad you mentioned break-in hours again. I'm at 300 hours with my amp and it continues to settle in and get better.

Do you feel the lengthy break-in associated with class-D runs across the board? As I mentioned above I am running an amp that does not use the more common modules. So wondering if you believe it will also "season" and settle in past the 1000 hour mark. Honestly wouldn't surprise me if it does. Anything I've purchased fromDACs to speaker to amps have taken months to fully bed-in.

Thanks.

Cheers,

Scott
erik_squires OP
16,130 posts
 
You know, I was just thinking of something. It would be really fun to marry a Nelson Pass First watt Class A amp to Class D voltage rails via transformers.

Sigh I wish I had more energy. :)

Best,

E
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
I love the idea of a class D website, but to what purpose? Reviewing, comparing, contrasting? Or all of that plus sales?

It sounds like fun, but also like a lot of work.. though getting a steady stream of amps to review could lessen the pain.

I’m curious now about the sound of lower power vs higher power amps at low volume. I may have to try a little Dayton audio class D one evening, though it may be meaningless to compare a $60 amp to a $1000 amp and expect any sort of meaningful conclusions.

Also - Al, glad you caught that reference! 
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