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
"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
