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Class D for a Tube Lover

First, I'm sure this has been asked many times but searching the subject wasn't too helpful to me.

So apologies in advance.

I enjoy tubed electronics and class A amps, which tend to be a bit warm.  My current Cary 805s warm my small (12x16) music room even in the cool/cold of winter.  I've got other amps that don't produce much heat, but am looking for something that produces no heat.  Living in a home with no central AC the room gets uncomfortably hot during the summer months.

So...I'd like to try some Class D amps.  Stereo or mono is just fine.  And my speakers aren't difficult to drive so I don't need a thousand watts.  But if that thousand watt amp sounds great, I'm not adverse to that, either.

I'd like to keep the price under 2k used.  

Please help.

Thanks.


128x128audiodwebe
tweak1
3,679 posts
 
Check this out  Purifi amp mods (tweakaudio.com)

I own his EVS 1200 after having owned the PS Audio M700s, which I quite liked, but the EVS provided almost 3Xs the power with tweaks no manufacturer is likely to implement 

FYI, class D takes 100-1200 hours to break in. Buying used is actually a plus

hth
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
There is no class d amp that will sound like a class A or tubed amp, sorry. The heat thing with class A is over blown in my opinion. Yes, they generate some heat, but not near enough to impact your comfort in the summer time. No way would I give up my class A Sugden, especially for a cold and lifeless class d. However, if you must, the Rogue Sphinx v3 would be the way to go, as it also has tubes. 
dtapo
73 posts
 
Not class D, but I bought a Musical Fidelity M3si class AB integrated for hot weather duties. Sounds wonderful and is the coolest running AB amp I've ever used, nearly no heat. I tried a Rogue Sphinx V2, but sent it back, It sounded ok, except for the hiss that I could hear across the room. (98dB sensitivity speakers)
spacecadet65's avatar
spacecadet65
58 posts
 
I run a PS Audio Stellar S300 with a tube pre and find the combination excellent. In addition, the build quality is superb. I'm told that their M1200 mono blocks are tremendous performers but are 2x the price. I believe those amps have a tube on the input stage and Class D on the output stage. Reviews have been excellent, though I have not heard them. 

Modern high quality Class D designs are on par (dollar for dollar) with the equivalent Class AB design. They have come a long way and many people still deriding Class D need to get with the times.

Just my $.02
plaw
89 posts
 
I would second the Classe Sigma Amp-2, they sound beautiful, but if you have low impedance speakers - ones that dip down to 1 to 2 ohms - I do not think it will have the bass control that some people are looking for.  After trying many amps, I went with AB Rowlands.  I moved the Classe to home theater to drive Klipsch - does a wonderful job there - smooth, warm.  I have a friend that has the Belcanto amp, says it was $5000 and hates it, not sure which one - he has it driving a set of outside speakers now.  My preference is tube on the front end, SS on the back.
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