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The Truth about Modern Class D

All my amps right now are Class D. ICEpower in the living room, and NAD D 3020 in the bedroom.

I’ve had several audiophiles come to my home and not one has ever said "Oh, that sounds like Class D."

Having said this, if I could afford them AND had the room, I’d be tempted to switch for a pair of Ayre monoblocks or Conrad Johnson Premiere 12s and very little else.

I’m not religious about Class D. They sound great for me, low power, easy to hide, but if a lot of cash and the need to upgrade ever hits me, I could be persuaded.

The point: Good modern Class D amps just sound like really good amplifiers, with the usual speaker/source matching issues.

You don’t have to go that route, but it’s time we shrugged off the myths and descriptions of Class D that come right out of the 1980’s.
erik_squires
golfnutz
231 posts
 
Couldn't agree with you more George, @tweak1 really doesn't get it.
Here's a hint at how NOT so good these modules are - just take a look at the number of sold/expired listings for 1200as in hifishark.com to see the staggering number of amps using 1200as1/2 boards being dumped. What can you really expect for a module that costs $250.
berner99
217 posts
 

"There are some class A amps I like a LOT less than my last Class D."

But the question is are there any similarly priced class D amps as good as many good e.g. $2-5K solid state class A amps for those of us who love the typical "class A magic"? 


ricevs
1,543 posts
 
The stock 1200AS2 module is good. Modified (14 mods done to each board) and monoed (two 1200AS1 modules) and with state of the art implementation, it is really, really great. If you have not heard the module stock or modified then you know nothing of what it sounds like. You can show all the graphs you like, but without actually listening to the modded amp you have no idea what Tweak 1 is talking about. This is not a guessing game. You have to hear something to know what is does. Again, the stock module is good......but mono super modified boards in tricked out chassis and implemented with super tweakism brings another whole level of transparency, dynamics and musicality. But only those who have heard....know. No one else knows anything.....just righteous guesses.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Yeah right!
golfnutz
231 posts
 
1200as1/2 modules have their place, and it isn't in what many consider high end audio. Tweak it as much as you like, it won't help anyone looking for something exceptional. As I've mentioned before, there are just too many people buying them and re-selling after being disappointed with the results. Like anything else, you get what you pay for, and the 1200as1/2 is no different in this regard. They are good value for what they cost ($250.00), but don't expect them to be anything more than that.
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