High end Class D amps?

bluorion:
" Tim---you nailed it! I think that’s what I’m missing---don’t get me wrong, I love the sound from my 505 but I often wonder if the extra "punch" and bass could be added with a class D. From what I’ve seen on here, the class Ds could add some extra bass due to the higher damping factor. I may try the D-Sonic 800 amp and see what happens. Thanks for the recommendation. Question: if I connect the D-Sonic to the Luxman, will I lose the gorgeous blue VU meters? :)"

Hello bluorion,

     I agree, since we know your Luxman integrated has a very good preamp section, no guarantee but why not give a good quality class D amp or amps a try? However, I believe you won’t lose the blue meters but I doubt they’ll be active when using the pre-outs. Sorry.
     But there is an alternative solution for incorporating more punch, impact and dynamic range into your system you may want to consider, at least for the bass frequencies, is to add at least a pair of good quality subs to your system if you have the room.
     Your S40s only have a rated bass extension down to 41 Hz and your Lore References only down to 37 Hz, so you’re not hearing or feeling all the bass on your source recordings that typically contain bass down to the audible limit of 20 Hz. That’s a lot of bass and bass impact to give up.
     My main speakers, a pair of Magnepan 3.7i, only have a rated bass extension down to 35 Hz, so my system was also initially lacking the impact created by full bass extension down to 20 Hz along with powerful bass dynamics. I was able to incorporate this missing bass and bass dynamics seamlessly into my system, however, by installing an Audio Kinesis 4-sub Swarm distributed bass array (DBA) system into my room that worked incredibly well.
     Now, I’d need to know more about your room dimensions and budget, but this $3,200 complete kit system may just be the ideal solution for your system, too. Here’s a link of an Absolute Sound review of it that provides a very accurate description of what to expect it to provide:
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audiokinesis-swarm-subwoofer-system/

Here’s a link to the Audio Kinesis website:
http://www.audiokinesis.com/the-swarm-subwoofer-system-1.html

I have no affiliation or association with Audio Kinesis, I’m just a big fan of the company and the 4-sub DBA concept because it works so well. I bought and installed this system in my room about 6 years ago and I honestly consider it the best upgrade I’ve ever made to my combination 2-ch music and 5.1-ch home theater system. I think you’ll probably think so, too, though even using a less expensive solution of a pair of good quality subs could produce similar results.  But I’ll wait until you post a reply before continuing our discussion.

Later,
Tim

@noble100 Good points regarding the sub--that's a possibility as well. I've seen some good reviews about the REL subs. My budget is around $2k so the D-Sonic would be fine if I decide to do that. I didn't realize there were subwoofer 'sets' like the Swarm. Very interesting indeed. I've learned so much from being in these forums. I had a sub and satellites (from Canton) years ago and they were quite nice. I sold them many years ago and never owned another sub since. Definitely something to consider. 

Hello bluorion,

     The more I thought about your system needs and the more I thought about how much multiple subs improved my system's bass realism and bass dynamic punch, the more I think it's likely to be a very good solution/upgrade for your system. 
     The Swarm 4-sub system would provide near state of the art bass performance throughout your entire room and integrate seamlessly with virtually any type or model of main speakers that you use now or in the future.  You'd just need to optimally adjust the level and crossover frequency controls on the supplied 1,000 watt class AB sub amp/control unit when you switch speakers.
    A pair of REL or SVS SB-1000 subs would also provide very good bass performance at your designated listening seat.  This option would be about $1,000 less expensive but you'd need to optimally position each sub in your room, and in relation to your designated listening seat, using the 'sub crawl method' (you can google it or I could explain it to you) and optimally set the volume level and crossover frequency controls on each sub, rather than once for all 4 subs on the Swarm's amp/control unit.
     I think you'd probably like one of these bass sub solutions best because:
1. It would provide significantly improve your overall system bass power, extension, dynamics and impact.
2.  The bass will also sound faster, smoother, more detailed and well blended with your main speakers 
3. You'll perceive the stereo sound stage image as being larger, more detailed and clearly defined as well as more 3 dimensional and real.

     It's my opinion that one of these sub options will provide more overall dynamic punch to your system than the addition of a high powered class D amp.  But, of course, it's your system and your choice.

Tim

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa6s0Csw7PEwKOt76CL9ZtA
Try this link. He reviews and he has a class D amps.