Thinking of replacing my Bat spaceheater with class D, real world thoughts please

I'm a big fan of switching amplifiers. Like you I had been using well respected linear solid state amplifier. While it was at the manufacturer for upgrades I purchased a PS Audio HPA-2 that had just come out and not yet been reviewed. Aside from the low cost, small size, and low electrical draw and heat, there were sonic attributes that jumped out at me and seemed to have a commonality with all the other class D amplifiers that came through my home. 

That said, it's very important to approach class D as a third type of amplifier that is as different as linear solid state amplifiers are to tube amplifiers. It's a different presentation with different strengths and weaknesses.

Another consideration may be the quality of your homes electrical system. Beginning with the PS Audio my home went through a major electrical upgrade for other non audio related reasons. The improvement was immediately noticeable with the switching amplifier and hardly at all with the linear solid state amp.

Over time it became obvious that the switching amplifiers liked copper cabling. At the time NuForce marketed an affordable cable that I preferred over my Cardas Golden Reference.      

After auditioning five other class D amps I found the presentation of the NuForce SE's much more to my liking. Ultimately, I replaced them a few years later with a pair of crudely assembled Hypex NC400 kit amplifiers which I currently use in my studio. I really liked the NuForce SEs and the folks in Milpitas were first rate in handling a very minor issue I had.

While the class D amps provide an unparalleled presentation in my studio I've returned to tube amplification in the main system. I suggest holding on to your current amplifier until you've accustom yourself with class D. 

 

I have read many reviews that say class d amps are more susceptible to poor sound from poor cabling than other types and that especially good pc pays big dividends.

I was fully intending to keep the BAT for some time to start with as wanted to run direct a/b comparisons with whichever class d crosses my doorstep.

Thoughts had revolved around dsonic, rowland, bel canto but would love to hear actual owners experiences

I think if you can, you should only trust your own ears. I suspect the Class D amps will be different, like any modern solid state amp would be. Will you like it? Does it go in the right direction for you is a deeply personal judgement.

I will say however I find almost all of the categorical claims about Class D sound today pure absurdity. The best of the Class D's can stand up to the best amps today. Would you like them instead.... that's not something I could say.

Best,

E

I should also say, I really really find the NuForce hybrid approach VERY interesting indeed. I would love to compare it to the other popular topologies such as Hypex, ICEPower and Pascal.

Uberwaltz - 

I've been using one of the earlier Ice powered D-Sonic amps for around 5 years now and I couldn't be happier with it.  

My main interest initially was that I needed something with enough power that I could use to push my Nautilus 800s that wouldn't require a second mortgage and would actually fit in my listening room.

Since I use my system for both music and home theater, I ended up going with a 7 channel unit with 2 amps driving each of the 800s.  The modules are the 1000ASPs and are rated (by owner Dennis Deacon) at 575W/8ohm and 1000W/4ohm and stable down to 2ohms easily.

Only other option that I had considered to get the same power delivery in a non Class D design were 4 Classe CA-M600 monos.  With the D-Sonic, I'm getting seven channels in a unit that's smaller than a single M600 - It actually fits in my standard rack.

I would say that what impresses me most about the D-Sonic (and good class D amps in general) is that at any volume level there's such immediate modulation that you can have a conversation with someone next to you in a normal speaking voice.  It's very dynamic and very clean.

Some great class A-A/B amps that I've heard on the same speakers (including the Classe) were also very good but I prefer the Class D D-Sonic sound personally.  The heavyweight monos that double output at load can give a lot of slam to be sure, but unlike the Class D their sonic signature often varies depending on volume unlike the Class D which sounds exactly the same at any volume level.  Perhaps it's a matter of simply just having so much immediate current delivery on tap.

Given that you're considering D Sonic, I would have a chat with Dennis and see what he has to say.  I was recently in touch with him, and he's very enthusiastic about his newer offerings and will gladly custom configure any setup that you may want or need and he also has a great return policy to reduce risk factor.

Take care

Greg