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

Ok so I know there are already lots of threads on class D both negative and positive

As I have had a very positive result with replacing the ss amps in my ht rig with a single tiny Nuforce class D amp I was tempted to look into the same for my stereo rig.

This is a little more difficult as my present amp is a BAT VK600SE, 120LB of muscle and heat.

Now I am in love with my present sound but still am very curious if class D could do anything for me as it certainly did in the ht rig although those ss amps were not in the BAT league to start with.

So I would like to hear from people who have actually gone this route, replaced their expensive, heavy, power consuming amps with tiny little cold running boxes and what their results were.

Was it uplifting, about the same or make you wish you had never heard of class D!

128x128uberwaltz
2channel8
753 posts
 
The view from the cheap seats:
Comparing a BAT amp to class D is like comparing  Quintarelli Giuseppe Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 1995 to Chianti, a very specific flavor to a broad range. Implementation is more complex than Hypex vs. Icepower, just as all class A/B amps don't sound the same.

For what it's worth I recently upgraded from a modest Class A/B integrated to a Primare I32. I am very happy! That being said, I am a detail fiend. I use the Primare to drive Canton Ergo 3 way towers; which are also very detailed.
smer319's avatar
smer319
138 posts
 
I would like to first start by saying I am a dealer of some great sounding HI-FI products.

If you're making a move to Class D or Class G Amplification, Make sure the manufacturers are making a Great Analog power supply. Always keep the Amps on. Do not turn them off. They stabilize after 24 hours. Give them 300-400 hours of break in. You will be very pleased.
I carry the Audio Research DS450M Monoblocks that we sell at $4995.00 a pair now.
skiroe's avatar
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skiroe
131 posts
 
Its not surprising that W4S are  good listening.   They were Cullen in their previous iteration and were making the class D amps for PSA back then.. The internals I suspect and I don't know more that that-- If I recall correctly.        Class D   can excel depending on system synergy... just like any other setup.    And a credit to its capability and sonic  virtue--Im using a diminutive  $180 Trends class D without readily discernible dysfunction.  Certainly would have to A/B with another amp to perceive the difference  and  those I have here all cost much more as well.    
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 
I've heard the  Jeff Rowland class D integrated driving speakers similar to mine (one up in the model chain) and was very impressed.. that coming from a SET guy.
gaal
64 posts
 
My Martin Logan Ethos speakers come with a 200 watt class D amp to drive the active woofer. It is pretty easy to get a 30-day trial period with many products...so recommend the "try and buy" for your own system. An audiophile friend of mine and myself heard a $300k system and neither of us thought it was as good as our much less costly setups...all in the ears of the beholden.
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