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
I’m reluctantly selling my Meraks
These Auralic Merak, (linear power supply and Hypex D-amp modules), you only just got them 1 month ago??
Going back to the Parasound A23 that you have?

Cheers George
Randy-11...

Yes... the SDS-470C by "ClassDAudio" is superb in all respects, and competes with the Parasound JC-1's, A-21, etc. for about $700.  

I've got them all... as well as... the Atma-Sphere M60's... and... it competes well with all of these.

http://classdaudio.com/

georgehifi

I shouldn't have bought them since my main goal was to upgrade the speakers.  I have too much equipment right now and need to Get rid of some excess stuff.  I really like the Meraks and will have to determine what stays and what goes.
randy-11:
"Can anybody list very affordable great sounding Class D amps - say below $2,000 for a stereo pair, and better or comparable SQ to a Sunfire amp?"

I'm not sure if you're looking for a stereo amp or a pair of mono-blocks.

But for stereo amps, I'd suggest:
ClassDAudio  SDS-470C for $700.  I own the model just under this, the SDS-440-CS for $630, and it's a very good performer so I would think the 470-C sounds similarly good with a bit more power than the 440-CS.  Not exactly audio jewelry but bargains sound wise.
D-Sonic M3A-1200S, 2 x 600w  for $1,875. Stereo version of the M3-600 mono-blocks that are very good.
D-Sonic M3A-800S,  2 x 400w  for $1,475. 
Red Dragon S500 2 x 250w currently on sale for $1,899 (reg price $1,9999 black in stock but silver temporarily sold out). Very well reviewed and uses dual Pascal class D power modules usually used in very hi-end amps.

For mono-blocks:

D-Sonic M3-600-M 1 x600w for $2,150/pair.  I've owned these for about 2yrs and use them to drive my Magnepans with 1,200w @ 4 ohms. By far the best amps I've ever used on them.
D-Sonic M3-1500-M 1 x1,500w for $2,750/pair.  I haven't heard these in my system but, based on the rave 6Moons review I read on these, they may give you the best performance short of spending $10k+ on the excellent Merrill Audio Veritas monos. Use the highly regarded Pascal power modules.
Red Dragon M500 1 x250w currently on sale for $750 each (reg price $800 each black in stock but silver temporarily sold out.)  Very well reviewed and uses  Pascal class D power module usually used in very hi-end amps.

     There are others I haven't heard such as the Nord monos from the U.K. and the James Romeyn Hypex NC-400 mono kit amp builds in Utah

Hope this helped,
    Tim
  
This "competes" is not saying anything, as I can "compete" against  Usain Bolt in a 100mt race, I don't think there'd be any money put down on me to win anywhere in the world! 

This competes
http://www.classdaudio.com/sds-series-amplifiers/sds-470c-class-d-audio-power-amplifier/

With this!!!!!
http://www.atma-sphere.com/Products/#M-60

Give me a break.

Cheers George