Which Class D Amplifier? PS Audio, Ghent, Nord, Merrill or other???

Few days ago I got new class-D Nord NC500 mk3+SI opamp, connected to Primaluna Prologue tube preamp and Chord 2Qute DAC. 
That combination have total control over Focal 1028be, driving them with such ease, but also tube smoothness and musicality. Couldn't be more happier, never heard something driving big focals with such control. 
One caveat: ordered Rothwell -10db Attenuator because preamp+power amp gain is too high, I can't go beyond 9 o'clock on volume pot, so attenuator will help in pushing noise floor down and give system room to breathe.

One caveat: ordered Rothwell -10db Attenuator because preamp+power amp gain is too high, I can’t go beyond 9 o’clock on volume pot, so attenuator will help in pushing noise floor down and give system room to breathe.

"One caveat: ordered Rothwell -10db Attenuator"  
You "push" both signal and noise down of the source and pre, and "maybe" create an impedance mismatch so your no better off.

If you really want to lower the noise floor, get a preamp with less or no gain, then you’ll use most of the signal available from source, pre and power without boosting the noise floor.

Cheers George

guidocorona 4,116 posts... 02-23-2019 7:04pm

"Hello @aolmrd1241 and @KLH007, I will post some observations about the darling Rowland M535 tomorrow... It won’t be the complete review, but I’ll try address some differences between M535 in stereo mode, and a bridged pair..Saluti, Guido"

Hello Guido... Is the Rowland M535 review by any chance close to nearing completion yet?

Thanks...Mark

Mark, Looking forward to your comments on the JRDG 535, as stereo in comparison to other $5 to 10K amps, and vs a pair as monoblocks.

I have had and listened to many amps and have been in this stupid game many years. I have settled on class d because it sounds so Damn good for the money but also for the convenience. Yes a krell fpb300 sounds better than my sti500 but not that much better, and costs way more up front, way more to run and will probably need repair sooner. The only real area that is better is some image depth and 3d, but its not much. I don't think there is better value than good class d. Plus I have never even listen to good class d, driven by a really good tube amp. That may be the real end game!
Have fun playing the game! I do.