Initial impression of the Nuprime ST-10 amp

Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder to be patient in the break-in process.  I never thought I would abandon tube amps for Class A/B amps, but I did and never looked back.  I was totally unhappy with the Bel Canto class D amp I had a few years ago, but clearly, this ST10 is in a whole different league.  I think Class D amps, and their modern variants, are the wave of the future.  

I will report back my impressions of the sound of this amp after 100 hours.    Cheers, Whitestix

Whitestix,

I never thought I would abandon tube amps or class a solid state after 25 yrs and I'm not looking back either.

I'm using a red dragon s500 currently which is probably going to replace my ref600m. I haven't heard the st10 but I've read a lot of good things about them.

What bel canto Amp did you have and what preamp are you using with your st 10.

Kenny.

I have about 50 hours on the amp and am happy to report that it is breaking nice nicely.  It is very powerful, dead quiet, and the crystal  clarity of the sound of my Holograms is amazing.  This is nothing like the Bel Canto Class D amp I had years ago.  It adds astonishing clarity and presence to the sound of my speakers.  The LF is taut and the HF is extended.  This is an amazing amp that is probably going to be even better when it completely breaks in.  I will admit that it does sound a bit different that my Class A/B amp, but think the ST10 is much more neutral and less congested.  I will get back to you after 100 hours, but at his point, it sounds quite fine to my ears.   Whitestix

@whitestix 

That's great. If it's anything like my IDA-16 it will continue to open up and fill out. You may have some peaks and valleys along the way. Around the 300 hour mark my amp really started to bloom. Even now passed the 500 hour mark it continues open up and settle in. Have fun.

Cheers,

Scott

Hello all,

I have over 500 hrs on my S-500 and thought I might comment a little about it.I think it's a step up in Sound vs nc400 and ref600m,these are the 3 class d amps that I own and I have access to more through a local audio club where we lend and or borrow equipment or occasionally listen to each other's systems.

I have been using a bel canto pre3 with all the diff. amps just to make a even playing field,the pre 3 is a pure water no coloration preamp.

The S-500 is the best class d amp I have had in my system and it has the warmest most engaging midrange with very sweet nicely extended top end that has more air and separation with the individual instruments making the entire frequency range very coherent.The bass is equally as good maybe better than my other class d amps listed.

I borrowed a Nuprime st10 to try out and found it too be a very close match to the S-500,with the nod to the S-500 for the best overall sound especially the midrange.

Offcourse this is in my system with my ears and judging the musical presentation that I prefer.

The next test will be comparison with a modwright kwa100se that I have owned for a few years but I haven't used it in about 3 years,I have loaned it out to club members though.I know it's a very good amp but can it equal or beat the S-500,only time will tell.

So many very good choices out there nowadays,


Kenny.