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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!

uberwaltz
twoch
429 posts
 
I listen to class D.   I can't tell
You not to do it.  But i would never
Make the switch. Unless class D
Amp cost $20 k.  
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,859 posts
 
Class G?

Hello, Google....
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,445 posts
 
This is a very interesting thread.  I read the whole thing and thought that I should chime in. 

I have the classic Summer Amp/Winter Amp dilemma, which I am solving now.  My system is driven by a Primaluna Dialogue HP Integrated.  I love, love, love this integrated.  But, it's toasting my room and it's only May in Chicago.  

Out of an effort to avoid some heat--and to be honest--dire curiosity I purchases (and am waiting on) a new Peachtree Nova300.  Peachtree really seems to have dumped some time and money into improving the switching amp technology.  

Part of my curiosity is to hear my PSB Imagine T2s with 300+ watts when the load gets in the 2 ohm range.  I still have my Class G, Creek Evolution 100A (now relegated to the basement driving KEF LS50s), and I'm ever-so-curious to feed these speakers more power and let them rip.  
All that said, I love the body and soul of tubes--yet I'm not afraid to just give this a run to see how I like things.  And let me just add, that I have enough preamp tubes (12au7 and substitutes) to last me into geriatric age--I'm 43.  

I have no idea what the OP's resources are and I surely don't think one should make moves just to do so or because the "bug" bites.  But, just 10 years ago I was unable to really afford making such moves in good conscience.  I echo the sentiments that you should take a dip in the Class D pool without investing a fortune to start.  I wouldn't sell that VTL though. 

Why not try out that superb NAD M22?  I can't find much information on Red Dragon, but its product lines made me curious.  

I will be certain to follow back up with folks to let them know where the Peachtree Nova300 fits in with the Primaluna and the Creek Class G.    

Thanks all to a great discussion! 
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,445 posts
 
I forgot to mention that I find the Creek Evolution 100A (and P) Class G circuits are interesting as they give you the first 20 or so watts in Class A and then the switching amp section kicks in.  I would really like to do a shootout of under $2800 integrated to see how the Creek would do.  It's really got something to show and so musical. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Just a quick update
I did find time on Monday to play around and moved the nuforce ht amp over to the stereo rig for some tests.
Now it may be a little unfair as this cost $1600 vs $8500 for the BAT but I was very dissapointed in the results. Very metallic and the bass was more of a thud than controlled. Volume and power certainly but finesse and tonality, no. Soundstage and imaging also suffered badly compared to to the BAT.
Next test was Tuesday when my new( well new to me) speakers arrived, a pair of Wilson Witt mk1.
These hooked up to the BAT were a revelation, such solid controlled bass and nice and low, I was hearing notes I had never heard before on familiar tracks. Soundstage, vocals and acoustic guitar were probably on a par with the Focals ( these punch well above their price point imho).
I have read elsewhere that Wilson and BAT make a very good marriage and this seems to be the case.
So pretty happy with the new speakers I hooked the nuforce back up
Oh dear....pretty awfull to tell the truth, I do think Wilson speakers  need very good electronics behind them to sound right and this appears to be the case.
Now what a pair of higher end monoblock class d might do is another matter but the music I have right now with the BAT/Wilson combo does not make me want to pursue the class  d route at this point.
Blow the heat and power consumption, I can live with that!
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