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The Future of Audio Amplification

I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
distortions
audiolover718
132 posts
 
My class D ARC DS450 was a honey of an amp. Full of power, with an extremely tight and controlled sound. I completely appreciate the virtues of class D, especially having owned a quality class D myself. However, now that I have all tubes, with a REF 75se, even with a huge decrease in wattage, I am more satisfied with the sound. I can hear more emotion, less grain, and the sound soothes me. It’s a win win. I have no doubt that class D is the future, but after hearing all tubes, I’m willing to live in the past, at least until class D is perfected and gives the same goosebumps as tubes.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Hello all, as the topic of the Rowland Daemon superintegrated has come up on this thread, in the past, I wanted to give you a pointer to a review thread I have started for it.


I was long hoping to evaluate the Rowland Daemon Superintegrated amp. Finally, a review unit was delivered on February 28th. I Started break-in the following day, and have been scribbling my listening notes since… The writing project will continue for at least a few months, until the integrated has stabilized, and I have exercised several of its many input and output options. I have been waiting for a long time for this 99Lbs single box critter. It is Jeff Rowland’s integrated flagship. The DAC + Preamp + 1500W/8 (2500W/4) dual-mono power amp in a single chassis is already sounding amazing after just a little more than a couple  hundred hours of break-in.

  

Learning about Daemon is being a fascinating experience… join me to chat about it around its new Audiogon watering-hole:

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/jeff-rowland-daemon-reviewing-the-jrdg-superintegrated-flagsh...

 

And, feel free to PM me with any questions about it.

 

Saluti, Guido


 


petland
85 posts
 
Distortions,your hearing is excellent. What you are hearing is the best class D amps made to date that no one paid any attention to. The DS series amps from ARC. Lowish DF for natural bass (the DS225 is under 200) , no NFB, in house output, no OEM modules, huge linear PS. There is no other class D designed this way. I have owned over 10 class D amps over the years including one of the first pair of Veritas that Merrill produced. The ARC amps best them, the DS225 has a fleshed out midrange that competes with the best of class A plus all the desirable attributes of class D including low noise, low heat, high output.
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