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?
The class D landscape will quite possibly change in the next 12-24 months.... All these issues of contention may be going bye bye.... (and then we can bitch about something else, as we will do that regardless) |
Last I checked this is about listening to music not about technical specifications. All components will sound different paired with other components. As with anything high end it is best to demo it, preferably at home and see how you like it. Many people love the sound of class D. Just look at Bel Canto’s Black line. Many people absolutely love their unique approach to combining DAC, preamp, and amps in one system. I have been eyeing their Black EX Integrated, just haven’t gotten around to demo it. |
eziggy:"Last I checked this is about listening to music not about technical specifications. All components will sound different paired with other components. As with anything high end it is best to demo it, preferably at home and see how you like it." Hello eziggy, I agree, auditioning a class D amp, and really auditioning any prospective amp, is best done in your room with your own other system components. I also agree with Erik that using a dowsing rod would likely be an ineffective method for choosing a system amplifier. Critical listening to an amp prospect, preferably during a multi-week in-home trial period if you're able, is probably the better method. Tim |
