I went from Class D to Luxman A/AB - And most of what you think is wrong

Let me first say I think Erik's post is great and I totally agree.

I have a Channel Island D200 fed by a Rogue Audio RP1 tube preamp into Harbeth Super HL5plus speakers. In moving to this system from a class A amplifier a couple of years ago I listened to a wide variety of electronics and speakers (to the point I’m sure vendors went "not you again" when I walked in. I was extremely impressed with the Benchmark, but it was out of price range. In one store I was able to compare what is now my system with a pricier but very good sounding all tube system and neither my wife nor I could here a major difference. I went with the class D in part because I decided I wanted to move away from hernia level components, although the price per pound of class D systems is much higher than class A solid state, let alone tubes.

One thing I find missing in this and almost every other discussion is the type of music being listened to. At audio shows I would bring some CD’s and a USB drive to try to listen to music I was familiar with. I listen primarily to classical music and two of the most revealing CDs were a recording of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, pieces I am also familiar with from concerts. I found that systems that sounded good with the vendor’s selected music were frequently totally inadequate with mine. At a show, the best sound I heard with my music was the Benchmark with a speakers whose manufacturer I don’t recall.

My main point about Class D power warm up really is just to avoid making buying decisions based on a cold demo as you may get an unfair experience.

I'm not suggesting you listen to the D's for two days. That's not part of my recommendation.

Best,
E

erik, your main point makes perfect sense, and should regardless of new kit.

I would not make a buying decision on a unbroken in product of any kind (what audiophile would?). While I currently enjoy my AA DPA-1, I also bought a pair of PS Audio M700s that were likely sold for the very reason you state.

When I quizzed the seller, he said they had < 100 hours. BUT, several reviews indicated that they needed closer to 200 hours and then were pretty darn good, especially at $3K MSRP, let alone what I paid for them.

Alas, many claas D amps haven't gotten the interest from review magazines.  Still I didn't evaluate either of amps until > 100 hours break in, then another 100 using various mixing break in discs through the entire system. In both cases after 200+ hours, they got even better

Hey Folks.  This journey includes late 70's ss McIntosh MC2200 (ugh) // Electrocompaniet Ampliwire II ..the starting period of good sounding sand // modded hybrid Moscode 300 with great NOS tubes - less truthful but nice tube magic // Muse 160 with Marigo tuning dot treatment - a bit zippy but worth the try, not the answer  ///  my sealed Salk monitors like power .. now what?  For 3 years I had been on the lookout for a super clean NAD M2, the entry reference M Series, single box dac/pre/power that received consistently amazing press across many reviews.  Once found, after taming a horrid ringing box and and silencing everything but the dac, this, by far, is the best amp in my system.  Having gone to great lengths to lower the noise floor of my system (see posts,) the M2 drives subs deeply and cleanly, polishes the mid bass up through the mids with tone, dynamics and flesh; then tosses shimmer and sweetness to the top end.  No single strength stands out and an abundance of micros are displayed in a calm, collected manner, as in real life.  I probably listen 4 plus hours per day easily, finishing my day with top shelf playback of high resolution streaming or carefully selected ripped lossless files.  No muss, fuss nor strain...calm.  Three of my friends have built NCore D amps in the last few years.  All three have or have had high end tube amps along the way and enjoy their NCore in their main systems.  I have a euro friend that loves his Devialet Class D after lots of researching, mated with his Vivid Giya loudspeakers.  If you are handy, the NCore kits offer tremendous value and sound.  We live in exciting times.  More peace.  Pinthrift 

I did notice the amps sounded most excellent after about 30 minutes of on time. I did not hear any further changes after that.

For my part, the biggest change was in the first minute, right out of the box. Thereafter nothing terribly significant at any time. I will say that I'm quite impressed with recent offerings in the Class.