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High end Class D amps?

Just an observation and a question. Are there 'high end' Class D amps out there that are just as good as Class A, A/B amps? I realize that's a sensitive question to some and I mean no disrespect---but whenever I see others' hifi systems on social media, all of the amps are A or A/B. There's always Pass, McIntosh, Moon, Luxman, Accuphase, etc. Where are the Class Ds? For folks out there that want more power for less efficient speakers and can't afford the uber expensive Class As, A/Bs, what is there to choose from that's close to those brands? Thanks
bluorion
boricua32480
3 posts
 
Theta, ATI, and Legacy all have really nice Class D amps that have rave reviews. I'm a class A A/B guy but I'd take any of these over most amps aside from the likes of Pass Labs, Mark Levinson, and Lexicon. I run all Klipsch Pro Audio speakers with sensitivities around 105-108db. I ended up with a Butler TDB3150 and it sounds great. I'm happy with it. It was a big difference from my Bryston 8B-ST's. 
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
502 posts
 
I used a NAD M22v2 for a couple of years.  The NAD M22v2 build quality is superb. It's the only class D that I've ever owned.  The SQ was quite good and it drove my Tannoy DC8Ti 89db speakers with ease.

I replaced it with a BHK 250 and of course there's no comparison.  The BHK 250 is better in every way.  Being a hybrid amp at more than twice the price, I'd expect that and have not been disappointed.  I plan to keep the M22v2 and use it in a secondary system with a tube pre amp.
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 
Some helpful insight here. Just starting to explore adding a sub to my system and wondering whether Class D is the way to go. The sub will run with an active crossover and is 94db efficient with a stable 8ohm load +\- 1db. I like the idea of a small mono block like the D Sonic but would appreciate opinions on whether Class D would be good in this application.
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
class d greatest strength is outstanding bass, so yes on that front

but dual subs are much better than one...  some will even say the best way is a 'swarm of subs' to smooth out the deep bass response, which can be very lumpy and hard to modulate with a single sub in many rooms
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 
class d greatest strength is outstanding bass, so yes on that front

but dual subs are much better than one... some will even say the best way is a 'swarm of subs' to smooth out the deep bass response, which can be very lumpy and hard to modulate with a single sub in many rooms

I'm running a pair of Swarm subs with a class D amplifier, to break up the standing waves in my room. My main speakers go down to 20Hz so I didn't need 4 subs. Its amazing how well it works- the bass is absolutely consistent everywhere in the room now (a lot of bass was absent at the listening chair prior, with too much bass elsewhere in the room).

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