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Time to buy a class D amp?


Will some new class D amplifiers outperforming the current ones appear soon

(the newest ones i know were released a  few years ago)?

Class D amps attract me as I consider them the most ecological ones with obvious non-auditionable benefits.

I have no doubts that they posses the maximum ratio performance/sound quality among the amplifiers of all classes.

At the same time, the sound quality the class D amplifiers that I have auditioned produce, although is quite good,

but not yet ideal (for my taste).


I use PS Audio Stellar S300 amp with PS audio Gain Cell pre/DAC with Thiel CS 3.6 speakers in one of my systems.

The sound is ok (deep bass, clear soundstage) but not perfect (a bit bright and somehow dry, lacking warmness which might be more or less ok for rock but not for jazz music).

I wonder if there are softer sounding class D amps with the same or better details and resolution. Considering two reasonable (as to the budget) choices for test, Red Dragon S500 and Digital Audio Company's

Cherry  2 (or Maraschino monoblocks), did anybody compare these two?



128x128niodari
genez
220 posts
 
I used to have the pleasure of owning a McIntosh MC275.  That was when I used to sell audio.  At that time I also got to hear some rare Luxman tube amps...  And,  a friend's refurbished Dynaco  ST70.
Yes...  tubes have their benefits.   But, I no longer miss them.  I now own a NuPrime ST10. Modded with the TDSS modding.  I do not miss tubes anymore.  I also lived with a PS Audio Stellar 300 for a season. The Nuprime in certain ways is better at doing what tubes are known for.  Just make sure you have the right cables for your system.   
slimpikins5's avatar
slimpikins5
191 posts
 
You know what?  I have had the best results with Class D.
I have had a pair of Anthem M1 mono blocks which run at 2000 watts per channel each when the input mains are at 240 V, which I run.  These amps absolutely blow away the Parasound Halo amp I had been running prior; that is the Class A/ AB amp which everyone says is so 'warm', touchy feely.... etc.  No contest; not even close.

The M1's are far more dynamic, cleaner, lower noise floor, far more open on the upper end and the low end is what people seek.   Couple the M1's with a Whest phono stage on the input side for vinyl and just sit back and relax.
paulcreed
543 posts
 
I'm new to class D. About a year ago I bought a modded ps audio trying to build second system. For me first thing I noticed it took 5 days 24/7 to sound right, It has to have a very good power conditioner and descent power cord or I feel your wasting your time. I have tube and a/b amps they have never been that dependent on clean power. I started of with just a modded ps audio GCPH phono stage with volume control straight into amp. It was super clean an fast but became lacking. I wanted to try a big tubey Preamp so I found a used Bruce Moore. It sounded really good but not until I put Jupiter copper foils in the preamp. Copper caps and digital amps sound good together. For me it made the amp sound very natural. They use no electricity and aren't hot, I'm going to keep mine.

erik_squires
15,988 posts
 
For me first thing I noticed it took 5 days 24/7 to sound right


I have experienced this, and so have others. Weird.
broker156
1 posts
 
I have Earthquake amp and it never let's me down. The sound stage is smooth with punch when needed.
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