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Discussion of Class D Amps Application & Experiences

With all the time off that our current situation has allowed recently, I became intrigued by the idea of class D amplification. I have always been against this type of amplifier but the more I have read the more I have also learned. There are lots of threads here on this subject many of which result in arguments about which amplifier class is better. I do not want to do that here. As I consider a class D amp I need to let you know that I currently use a fairly powerful class A/B SS amp and pre-amp into an efficient pair of speakers rated at 4 ohms. My choice of equipment has always been focused on musicality over absolute detail. I want the music to sound natural and not sterile. I seem to have achieved that sound. If I switched to class D amplification that would also be my intended goal although a bit more refined detail would be fine. I have considered pairing the amp with a tube pre to help achieve my desired sound. So why would I change? My goal would be to save money over my current gear while maintaining my desired sound.

I have researched brands such as Nord, Primare, AGD & Nuprime. I have also looked at brands such as Jeff Rowland & Merrill but those are way out of my price range. My target would be $6000 - $7000 or less. I'm about performance not price. So given that background information I would like to hear from those who have made the leap, what your experience has been (likes and dislikes), what amp did you replace and any comments about one brand over the other. Your experience with demos etc. Do you use a tube or SS line stage?
Thanks
falconquest
tweak1
3,704 posts
 
Underwood HiFi's Voyager GaN amp $3K/200wpc should be shipping soon. They seem to have a trade in policy to boot!

Markmuse:


I quite liked the M700s, but in my 20 x 40 x 12ft peak, even though my speakers at the time were 93dB (but the woofers were only 10"s I just couldn't get the coupling spl I wanted. Also, Ric introduced his EVS 1200 for about the same price I bought/sold my M700s for, and he offered a 30 day money back.


Best move I made until recently, when I got a pair of EP 3.4s which do not have woofers BUT have 12" carbon Fiber midrange with concentric polyester tweeters. These have taken the music up a few notches, but am anticipating receiving EP 2.8s tomorrow. In addition to the same 12" woofer/tweeter, these have dual 15" carbon fiber woofers in a D'appolito configuration. Needless to say- I CAN'T WAIT
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
1,042 posts
 
I run the PSA S300 fronted by a Rogue RP-1 with Mullards.    I also acquired a DAC that was reviewed as having "warm" characteristics.  Did this for all the aforementioned reasons.   The sound is good enough for my needs.  I really like the way it fits into a tidy space and runs relatively cool.  It certainly has a volume level sweet spot.  I tried running it plugged directly into the wall vs  my Furman Elite 15 dmi and could not discern degradation with the Furman so thats where its attached. I use entry level PSA power cords and Marrow interconnects.  I would like try a tube or A/B amp some day but not sure I want to deal with the heat and power consumption.  I can't do much of a compare as my previous amp was also class D.   And PSA gave me a really good trade in for it.  So the S300 was Buck Bang for sure.
coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
841 posts
 
45 years in audio. I’ve never sampled Class D. Why? Because Class A is so satisfying. 
erik_squires
16,753 posts
 
45 years in audio. I’ve never sampled Class D. Why? Because Class A is so satisfying.


Hard to tell which came first though. It's like mom's home cooking, if that's what you like and want to have nothing else will do. 

Best,

E
tweak1
3,704 posts
 
I tried the M700s and the Stellar Dac/Pre. The dac/pre was dry, did not throw a good sound stage. IMHO, it needs a outboard PS, which PSA often does. I questioned Paul about the lack of it, but of course, he held the party line.


I found the M700s quite good, even though at that time I was plugging various class D amps into my Core Power 1800. At that time Ric Schultz came out with the EVS 1200, at a comparable price to what I bought and could sell the M700s for, but the 1200 had ~ 50% more power (which I need in my 20 x 40 x 12 ft peak room, AND was essentially hand tweaked by Ric who knows his tweaking and cuts no corners, as most commercial products (especially ones costing M700 money), are forced to do.

I started out plugging the EVS 1200 into the 1800, but one day my Spidey Sense told me to plug it direct into my 20 amp dedicated line. WOW. Just doing that ONE simple thing made a HUGE improvement

I suspect there are many more changes that need to be made before one should critique class D in their systems.


hth
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