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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
That’s all your good for, taunting. All can see that .
Post removed 
tweak1
3,685 posts
 
After probably at least a year of driving my EVS 1200 direct from my LPM moded Oppo 105, and having upgraded all cables and speakers I decided to reinsert my Audio Alchemy DDP- 1 + PS 5.


It took a solid 24 hours to relax, and certainly sounds better than when I first reinserted it. I meant to hit replay on my 105 before I went out last night, so it wasn't running any signal. At first I was disappointed, but then realized I needed to turn the volume all the way up on the 105, which I did just before heading out last night


Now, the 'problem' is: when I want to play SACD/DVD-As, I have to reroute my cables back to direct, which is a RPITA. What I did before was also hooked up my Marantz HDCD-1 (as a transport) to the DDP-1, and run them separate. That may be what I do again "Back to the Future"
audiom3
156 posts
 
@dchang05 I think some people are threatened by Class D for some strange reason. I have a nicer Class A/B amp than your average 'audiophile' in an Ayre VX-5 Twenty. I also have a 7-channel Class D amp (utilizing Pascal modules) for my integrated HT setup. Just for the hell of it, I hooked up the Class D to my mains. And the difference was less than you would think. No harshness, plenty of 'musicality', tight bass and extremely clean midrange. I listened for several hours this past Holiday weekend and my ears weren't bleeding. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,698 posts
 
There is a lot of total nonsense posted online regarding many topics, including Class D amps.

Are people threatened? Fearful? Did they just hear a bad setup which no one technology alone can fix? Did they just prefer something else in their case? Who knows.

I have Class D amps ranging from $80 to $6000 retail. They all sound top notch used properly in the right application. Just like anything else. Any new amps I buy in the foreseeable future are likely to be Class D or similar as well.

Does not mean they will be everyone’s cup of tea since personal tastes always vary.

But to diss the technology categorically as not worthy for consideration is just a huge mistake. It is most worthy with a very unique set of advantages and little if any downside, personal preferences aside.

Personally I bless the technology. Just apply it wisely. Nothing new there!
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