2. amps-preamps
  3. 129071-76532

Class D = Trash?

So, I'm on my second class D amp. The first one, a Teac AI-301DA which claimed to use an ICE module, was unlistenable trash. I burned it in for a few weeks, it just couldn't perform, so I sent it back. Following that, I tried the new Emotiva A-300 (class A/B). It was significantly better, but lacking in too many ways for my tastes. So I changed gears, got an 845 SET from China -- and it was an immediate and massive improvement.

So, before I went further down the SET road, I wanted to try a better class D product using a modern class D module. I settled on the D-Sonic M3-800S with the Pascal module and custom input stage. I read from reviews that these things like to have big cables, so I picked up an eBay 8 gauge power cable (Maze Audio, el-cheapo Oyaide copy plugs, braided 4-wire cable) to go along with it.

Mid-range GONE.
Soundstage depth CRUSHED.
Euphonics DISAPPEARED.

Yes, resolution went up. Driver control went up, allowing me to play compressed rock/pop and orchestra with the speakers being able to render it all. But enjoyment in the sound is basically gone. Using my best power cable (LessLoss Original) improved performance, but didn't fundamentally change the amp's nature. I ran back to my headphones (Focal Utopias) to detox my ear canals.

So, how long does a class D need to burn-in? I want to give it a fair shake before writing the technology off forever. 
madavid0
kdude66
1,200 posts
 
geoffkait,

I kind of doubt anyone can actually track the sound of something breaking in, even though break in is probably real, since there are too many variables, e.g., weather, time of day, day of week, many others. In addition, any audiophile who’s going to keep track of the sound and determine when exactly a given component or cable or speaker has completely broken in will most likely be breaking in more than one thing at a time and will be adding tweaks all the while.

In addition, if I can be so bold, unless a purpose built break-in device is employed the chances are slim to zero that the component is question EVER breaks in completely. The music signal doesn’t cut it. There’s just not enough time to do everything that should be done without being slowed down to a snail’s pace by having to sit on one’s thumbs for 200 hours or 600 hours or whatever while something breaks in. Give me a break!

Well spoken and so totally true.

Kenny.
joegator81
108 posts
 
I've owned an emerald physics 100.2SE for a couple of years now and harsh, thin, hashy, fatiguing are not words I'd ever use to describe it. Its been smooth, effortless, and detailed with two different pre amps and 3 different speakers. I have a nuprime dac10 now and would love to try an ST10 with it
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
If classD=trash, than Audiogon should have curb alert section.
kdude66
1,200 posts
 
If classD=trash, than Audiogon should have curb alert section.

That's Funny,I don't care who you are.

Kenny.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
astewart8944
499 posts
 
In reading the commentary concerning @guidocorona and tracking break in I offer this. I recently bought a new Jeff Rowland Continuum S2. I hooked it up and it sounded really good immediately out the box...then it didn't sound as good as it did. Gulp. I read Guido's posts about Rowland's seemingly very long break in time. I followed his advice and ran the JRCS2 all day and all night. I listened to it at intervals in between. Guido accurately forecasted my qualitative listening experience. I just passed the 500 hour break in mark and the sound quality has improved markedly. The JRCS2 now sounds fuller, more detailed, pretty close to the Rowland amp sound I heard at AXPONA in the Joseph Audio/Rowland room. Granted that was a Daemon, with an obscene amount of power (1500W/channel) compared to the Continuum S2 (400W/channel), but Guido's experience, shared on this forum, matched my own regarding Rowland amps. Whatever he's doing and however he is doing it seems to provide valuable insight regarding Rowland amps in my experience. 
More to discover