Class D for a Tube Lover

IME class d does not like difficult loads. If you have semi efficient speakers with a fairly benign impedance curve will sound good especially with a tube preamp. 
I had the Lyngdorf integrated and it was an amazing product....... for certain speakers. Ran out of gas on some Dynaudio C20s I had and just sounded soso on some Focals. On some Tektons it was a match made in heaven. I think the amplification section was nothing special but the room correction was fantastic. 

I’m currently looking for a preamp with room correction to pair with my Parasound A21. 

Why not try the VTV 1ET400A Amplifier with VTV Vacuum Tube Buffer. Granted it’s between $2,229.00 – $2,279.00 new, but you do tend to get what you pay for...

I have always admired the Cary 805. I would put the money into NOS or quality new stock tubes. The sound of the 805 is definitely warmish and musical. In many ways it is the opposite of a Class D amp. If you like the 805 sound, don’t loose it. Especially changing to a Class D for $2K or less. You are almost guaranteed to go down in SQ.

I decided to sell my KRELL K-300i integrated today so that freed up the long speaker cables I need to test out my new Class D stereo amp.

https://www.d-sonic.com/product/m3a-800s-stereo-amplifier/

It is now connected to my difficult to drive Thiel CS3.7 floor stander. I first tried my new Gustard X26 Pro (an incredible DAC) into my Benchmark HPA4 preamp and then to the D-Sonic amp. It was more powerful, detailed and a touch warmer than my regular Benchmark AHB2 monos (my reference). However, there was a little edge to the sound that I noticed that is not there in the all Benchmark stack.

I then removed the preamp and went direct to the D-Sonic amp. That edge or hardness was reduced, almost eliminated. I always prefer the volume control on the HPA4 preamp but the Gustard DAC was not bad as a preamp. The D-Sonic benefited with HPA4 removed removed. The Benchmark and D-Sonic do not seem to mix well.

So I now have a $1500 amp with a $1500 DAC and the sound is almost as good as the $9000 of Benchmark gear + $1500 for Gustard  I had before. I think the D-Sonic amp is better served on the Thiel’s than the AHB2 which are not officially rated for 2 Ohm speakers in mono.

I have a SET based preamp coming next week (I hope) that should be great with the D-Sonic. Anyways, this amp has given me confidence to move my great Benchmark stack to my living room system with a speaker that maybe is a better match for the AHB2 specs.

As I mentioned in a prior post the D-Sonic was bought to be used with RAAL SR1a headphones which needs a warm amp to tame that beast. It did do that and now I tested it on the floor stander which was also a winner.

Thanks for the update on the d-sonic.  Sounds like it is a player.