I think of ClassDAudio as the bargain center for class D amps. This is the place to go if you want high quality class D sound for the least amount of money.
About 4-5 yrs ago, there was a lot of buzz about how good class D amps were getting and that they were moving beyond just good sub amps and were beginning to be considered very good sounding amps from top to bottom frequencies. They seemed to be the amplifier technology of the future since they not only sounded very good but were powerful, could easily drive low impedance speakers, were smaller, lighter, more electrically efficient and ran cooler than other more traditional ss and tube amp types.
I was very curious to try one and see what all the fuss was about. So, I called ClassDAudio and talked to the owner, Tom Roth, who's very nice and knows a lot about class D.
He recommended I try one of his completed amps. the SDS-440-CS, to drive my large 4 ohm Magnepan 2.7QRs. This was my first class D amp and it was an excellent performer. Mainly out of curiosity, I've moved on to a few other class D amps but the ClassDAudio is still operating flawlessly driving the rear surrounds in my system.
I expect his new class D amp using the GaN FETs will also be a bargain.
I find his comment that "were're still finishing case design" to be a little worrisome. While he makes great sounding class D amps using lesser known modules and traditional toroidal power supplies, the styling of his amp cases are typically, and to be very generous, ugly as sin. Think anti-Jeff Rowland Design Group style.
Hopefully, this amp case's styling will match, what I expect to be, the great sound of his new amp.
Tim
