High end Class D amps?

@milpai - The Apollons haven't replaced my other amp yet; I'm still deciding. They and the Bryston 4B3 are really nice amps, so it's not simple. Their gains are different, and since I have subs in the system, it's not trivial to swap one in and the other out while keeping levels constant. Indeed, it's proven to be more fiddling and fussing than I'm up for. The experience gives me appreciation of what audio reviewers deal with.

That said, things I notice about the Apollon amps are

• Extremely quiet and neutral
  
• More detail, with none of the etch or glare that can accompany that; for example, I'm pinpointing instruments in ensembles better and hearing lyrics more clearly
  
• The Apollons seem better control the treble, possibly because of less interaction with my electrostatic main speakers
• Both the Bryston and the Apollons have great imaging and soundstaging; both have great bass
  
• I have a tendency to listen louder with the Apollons. Why? Is that good or bad? I don't know!

So, it's proven more difficult than I expected to form a definite preference. Maybe that itself says something useful -- I hope so.

@mike_in_nc ,Thank You for the prompt response. Based on what you mentioned, I think you are listening "louder" to the Apollons, (maybe) because they are so clean?! I think that is indeed good.Are the Apollons warm/cool compared to the Bryston?
One point I read with great interest was the "electrostatic main speakers". What speakers are those? Class D in general are accused of not being able to handle 2 ohm loads. Does your speaker dip to that level? If it was me, I do not care for numbers. If the amp is able to drive the speakers my speakers to level I like, I am happy.BTW your feedback is VERY helpful.

@milpai - You’re welcome. The "cubed" Brystons run cool, and the Apollons run very cool. I haven’t noticed a huge difference, though the Apollons probably generate less waste heat.

My speakers are a pair of Janszen Valentina P8. Janszen rates them at 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum. I would imagine that, like other electrostats, they offer a highly capacitive load.

I think the comment that Class D can’t handle low impedance speakers is audiophile truthiness -- it doesn’t reflect today’s technology. Look at the specs of the PuriFi modules, which can put out 500 watts into 2 ohms with 0.0003% THD.

Look at the specs of the PuriFi modules, which can put out 500 watts into 2 ohms with 0.0003% THD.

Look at what independent tested current it can do.
Compare the "2ohm wattage" to the "4ohm wattage", and see if the 2ohm can come "close" to doubling the 4ohm, if so there’s no current limiting.
If it’s similar or lower, then there is severe current limiting/sagging.

Cheers George

@georgehifi -- It doesn’t matter. It puts out 500 watts into 2 ohms. That’s enough for most users. I consider "doubling" an irrelevant factor. Does the amp generate enough power for the intended use? If so, it’s a good choice (as far as power goes). If not, it’s not.
By the way, your statement is logically equivalent to saying that if an amp does put out 500 watts at 2 ohms, it is somehow lacking if it provides more than 250 watts at 4 ohms or 125 watts at 8 ohms. Why should that be a problem?