2. amps-preamps
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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
strat_80
10 posts
 
Just looked at the Starkrimson GaN mono. Looks very good and great specs. GaN can switch faster. I am surprised that there are no Silicon Carbide based power amps. I am power hungry though and 100W is too low for my setup.
fastfreight
796 posts
 
Wow.  Class D haters.  There are Class D amps that suck and SS amps that suck.  It is in the implementation, to a point, without having to discuss which is the Holy Grail.  I had PS Audio Hybrid tube / Class D M700's.  Replaced them with a used Classe CA-2300 SS amp which was much better. (to me, all the reasons etc). Replaced the Classe SS amp with a pair of used Mola Mola Kaluga's. Class D with awesome implementation. Blew away the Classe SS amp.  Now I have Audionet Max SS amps.  Guess what?  Superior to the Mola Mola's but at a cost.
Just because there is a 'module' does not make all Class D amps equal.
And there is much more than just measurements.  Listen at a given price point and decide for yourself.  Pros and Cons always. My Kaluga's are still looking beautiful in our family room, driving Salon 2's extremely well.  And the Revel's are power hungry.  It would take a big amp or big pair of amps for SS to beat them. I know; I have such a large pair in my basement and love them too! Happy Holidays!
Ken
chiptech10
14 posts
 
Linn
infa2000
2 posts
 
Have old Red Dragon Leviathans driving Totem Mani 2's. Never an issue with them, solid, effortless and replaced big Classe's. Is there better, I'm sure. Would I spend the extra, nope.
lowtubes
103 posts
 
I’ve heard a few Class D amps.  I still prefer the sound of a good tube amp or a pure Class A SS. But the inexpensive Crown XLS1502 class D amp sounded excellent in a friends system on his Martin Logan Monolith speakers.   So the cheap inexpensive Crown amp worked well in a very expensive system. I tried the D-Sonic 800 watt amp and thought it was a product I can easily recommend. But it did not sound better in my system than my pure Class A 200 watt Threshold mono blocks.  
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