Ohm Walsh Micro Talls: who's actually heard 'em?

Yes, OHMs and shrillness are not a natural match, but I have heard a big difference top to bottom with different amps so amp is always a big factor.

I guess the lesson learned is Class D is not always a slam dunk with OHMs, for whatever reason.

I find ICs from source to pre and especially pre to amp can also make a very significant difference. I've switched between DNM Reson and MIT TErminator. DNMs have more etched detail through mids and highs, which I like with the OHMs. MITs are smoother/more rounded there and add more to the low end. Room acoustics and personal preference would probably be the largest factors in choosing.

Wow. Thanks, Coot. That's the first negative experience I have read with the D-Sonics. And, the ONLY experience I have read abouit with D-Sonics feeding Ohms. The posts regarding power filters vs. plugging into the wall cannot be stressed enough. I am still evaluating, but it appears that my amp clipping issues (see earlier posts) were mostly the result of two different power filters the amp had been plugged into. With my current amp (Odyssey Audio Stratos HT3 w/cap upgrade) plugged into the wall, most of the clipping issues seem to have dissappeared. Also, the soundstage presentation has widened out a bit. Good thing, too, since I won't be able to do any upgrading for a while.

If you want good Class D amps that worked very well with my Ohm 2000s, I suggest the Arion RS-500. Pricey (~$4K/pr), but I think they are less expensive than new Bel Cantos.

Mamboni is a classical musician and OHm Walsh affectionado that at last report was very happy with Wyred4Sound Class D. It was his experience that helped peak my Class D amp/OHM interest. I opted to splurge on the BCs rather than "cur corners" with Wyred. They both use similar Ice Power amp modules and custom input stages with higher input impedance for better match to tube pre-amps. BC adds a custom power supply board. Power supplies are traditionally the weak link in many stock Class D amp modules. Different vendors do their own thing there to achieve performance improvements.

Bond, I always found your clipping issue as described somewhat puzzling, but use with power filters as the culprit for clipping for reasons mentioned above does not surprise me. Glad its resolved.

Probably worth saying that if there is still an "achilles heel" to any extent with Class D amps, the top end is probably where it will be. Similar to what is often discussed with digital versus analog, but not exactly the same in a technical sense.

I have been most happy with the top end of my BC amps, but I would speculate that it is the one area that might compare less favorably to other amp types in more cases at present. I think the technology is fairly mature at this point but still has room to improve and will. That drives my interest in newer designs when they come out.

My ears were much more sensitive to higher audible frequencies when they were much younger as well. That is also undoubtedly a factor. Not all ears are equally sensitive in the same ways. Yet another reason why individual mileage will always vary.

Ncore-12 may be a good solution. I have not heard one and can't afford $12k anyway.