Class D amps that are superior to all or most?

I own multiple Class D ice amps the best IMO being the NewClear NCL1000. They sound fantastic! They are clean and unbiased. I want instruments to sound how they do in real life not warmed over or made up for the big dance. I would put these amps up against anything in their power class. Don’t get me wrong I have heard A & AB amps I like better but I’m not spending $25k or more to get them. As some have mentioned, a lot has to do with what else is in your system. If everything in the chain is bright, class D might not sound great but if matched with the correct pre amp, speakers they can sound absolutely amazing. On the opposite end, I don’t enjoy listening to music when we have tubes throughout. Best part is we can all be right... there are as many manufacturers and component options to play with as there are ears in this thread. I’m sure there is a combination that works for everyone. So listen to as much as you can and keep your mind as open as you think your ears are.

"Using a mono module per channel is exactly the same thing as using one channel of a stereo module.....no difference. I know, I did both....same sound. My amps were dual mono using mono IceEdge".

Happy to say, for once I agree with Ric.

I too had dual mono 1200AS2 modules. Using two modules (1 channel from each) was exactly the same as using both channels from a single module. I know Mike from Mivera also had the same conclusion.

And here’s the dumb thing about the Legacy Audio offering. If you have 8 ohm speakers, they both state 610 watts for the regular vs ultra series. Rather than using the 1200AS1 (slightly cheaper), it’s obvious they’re buying the 1200AS2 in bulk to simplify things and get better pricing. IMO, their total cost on the 8 channel (4 modules) is probably < $1800 all in, and their selling them for $8k - ouch!

It would be interesting to see what they charge for servicing. These modules are built as disposable in the event of a failure. Basically, fixing these amps are a fixed cost to Legacy since they would just replace the entire module.

@toddk31 

Nice to hear from a fellow EVS1200 owner. In my experience it sounds significantly better without the Kubes and the top OFF. I bought a cheap AC filter to keep dust out. I also have Machina Dynamica springs for isolation. Also, PCs can make a big difference

hth

The IceEdge modules are warrantied to an OEM as long as there are no mods to the modules (which is one reason most do not mod them), If a module goes bad then Icepower will replace any defective module for up to two years.  The modules are less than $300 each in quantity.  IceEdge modules are extremely reliable.

All modules that come from Ice, Hypex, Anaview, Purifi, Pascal, Powersoft, IR, etc.  are not designed for sonics.  The closest would be Purifi but I need to do mods to it to bring it up to serious levels.  We need designs by those that are super tweaky and are using the latest technology.  We now have GaN output transistors which seem to make a sonic improvement.....it is, however, just one factor among the infinite things in an amp that make better sound (in other words, all amps with GaN transistors will sound different from each other).  This is why this is an ever evolving game.  Some new from the ground up GaN developed amps are:

1. Premium-Audio 200 watt stereo for $699
2. Orchard Audo 150 watt mono blocks for $1500 and soon to be released 250 watt a channel amp...$2500?
3. LSA 200 watt a channel $3000.....says on the website to be released next month.
4. Mytek Manhattan dual mono 200 watt....$6K coming out this summer
5. Mytek Empire 500 watt mono amps....coming out in July $20K the pair
6. Java Hifi integrated amp ....starts at $8900
7. 85 watt mono AGD Audion Amps....$7500 the pair
8. Merrill Audio amps $16K-$38K
9. AGD Gran Vivachi mono blocks....$18k.
10. Technics integrated....10K and older stereo amp...$18k
11. Atmasphere stereo amp.....$5k?...later this year.

This is just the beginning.  Lots of cool stuff coming down the road.

James.... Will you be at THE SHOW?

We won't be exhibiting at THE Show 2021 in a few weeks, but we look forward to continuing our attendance at future THE Shows. Legacy will be at AXPONA in the fall.
Anyone who would like to visit us in CA, is welcome to at Destination HiFi, where we have the iV amplifier as well as the entire Legacy speaker line on display.