2. amps-preamps
  3. 142263-123175

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

I’m looking for a new amp & want Class D.

I’ve seen various brands mentioned, such as PS Audio, Ghent, Nord, Merrel to name a few, but I’ve not heard any of them.

Which company is producing the best sounding Class D?
Which models should I be looking to demo?


Thanks



singintheblues
golfnutz
231 posts
 

First of all, there's no difference between 2 x 1200AS1, and 1 1200AS2. I had 2 x 1200AS2 and 2 didn't sound better than 1. Just a waste of money. The $300 module sounds the same as 2 modules for $500.

Secondly, I tried many of the tweaks you mentioned myself. Since the connectors on the module are JST (tin), again, no improvement on the sound quality - even when using direct connect methods. Do you really think using solder instead of the JST connector makes a difference. All these tweaks amount to nothing, other than an excuse to inflate the price with the appearance of added value.

Forget about Manufacture warranty since you've modified the boards. What happens if the changes you've done to the boards causes damage to your clients other equipment (like speakers), are you going to cover the cost for that too?

These modules are so cheap that if the main fuse on the module goes, the manufacture won't even attempt to fix it, they just replace the module.

The only reason you chose these modules is because of their low OEM costs. Why didn't you pick a different module designed for Audiophiles?

tweak1
3,679 posts
 
Ric, sorry, but this kind of stuff from people without a clue is bound to surface
gfi, let me get this straight, if a 100 lemmings jumped off a cliff they were all smart? You come across as much smarter, but your GaN only mantra holds you back. BTW, I will have a 200w GaN prototype soon. Even if it is amazingly better, it will cost significantly more, and out of range of my budget.

hey golfnutz, what do you think is inside the $2999 PSAudio M700s?  Even if was 24 karat gold, it is simply not in the EVS 1200s class sonically. How do I know? I owned them, too

aber, maybe 12-15 years ago I bought 2 resistor ladder enumerators that EVS made. I'm not even sure whether I bought it direct from Ric, or second hand. The only contact since then was when I had questions about the amp several months ago and ordered it
aberyclark
1,361 posts
 
One issue with class D that is not from a major brand would be resale value. I’ll never be the one to say I have purchased my final amp. 
tweak1
3,679 posts
 
In general I agree with you, but my Audio Alchemy DPA -1 or the DPA-1Ms (monos) which got fantastic reviews in The Absolute Sound way back in 2016, aren’t even bringing 50 cents on the dollar

So while Rics amp could fall price-wise on the used market, IMHO, it’s a risk worth taking. Keep in mind he is a boutique builder with a following: the $2200 EVS 1200 is a much better amp than the M700s (which are vg amps and a very good value @ $2999, but regularly sold used < $2000), so the EVS 1200 is likely to keep it’s value, and possibly even be worth a lot more to those who actually know what's what
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

Two IceEdge modules definitely sounded better than one (Sorry, but true). Faster, cleaner and better imaging. My system is extremely revealing and I use naturally recorded music to evaluate.

Eliminating the input connector is only one tiny mod I do to the modules. Every single other one I do makes mucho more difference. I even remove the AC connector and the speaker connector. Yes, everything makes a difference

What do you mean by "all these tweaks"? You have no idea what most of them are. So, therefore you have no knowledge or truth about them. Most of my mods are not discussed or shown and that is exactly the way I want it. However, the results are known by the resultant sound....which is all that matters.

I warrantee the amp for 3 years....parts and labor (transferable). Only those that don’t mod the board have a manufacturers warrantee. The customer gets a warrantee....that is all that matters. The mods I do to the boards do nothing to effect the reliability of the modules. The modules were under development for years and one of the reasons why is to make them the most reliable modules ever. I have not heard of a single person having a problem with an IceEdge module. Simply bulletproof. My mods don’t change that.....the amp is still fully protected. This is why the manual states that if the fuse blows it is a "catastrophic failure"....and therefore you must replace the module. The module is so self protecting that the fuse should never, ever, ever blow. If it does it is either lightning destroying the whole thing or the main diode bridge shorts and takes the fuse out (about as likely as you winning the big lotto).

I choose this module because stock it sounds good and I knew I could take it to another level sonically and people who buy with 30 day trial can listen and see for themselves if it is worth the money or not. So far, all the feedback from those that have bought them is really positive.....they are not sending it back. You will see more feedback here and on other forums as customers comment on their new fantastic sounding amps. BTW, two of those that bought my amps previously used the best Mivera amps with the stock stereo IceEdge modules.....so they know first hand how much better my amp is.  And one of those two had two Miveras so he was listening in mono.

The human choice is simple. Every second you either choose love/joy or judgement. The ego gets locked into the judgement game. When you choose love then all benefit and are happy. When you choose judgement we are all separated and unhappy. Which do you want? Do you want to be happy? If so, stop the constant judging. I try to make each moment a reflection of the divine. I know the blessings and beauty of the world and of life. I still have my judgment moments but they are getting less and less. And as they go away, I and everyone I know is happier. May all be happy.





More to discover