Class D amps seem poised to take over. Then what?


I am certainly biased by my lifetime final amp being a Class D. But I know that after 30+ years of development, Class D seems to be on a high plain. I know there are now many, many companies focusing on Class D and, maybe, a good handful already as good as it gets. My Class D amp is as smooth and beautifully musical as a great tube amp and as punchy and detailed as a great SS amp. I am satisfied and done with my search. A class D amp has effectively taken me off the amp merry-go-round. It’s about time after 50 years. And, for me, this Class D is a milestone. Will all other classes of amps fade away?
mglik
Hello,
I know their is a place for class D in the world. Their are also really great class D amps like the Rouge Dragon which is a hybrid tube/SS amp. At 300 watts it can power anything. NAD has their Master Series but most don’t know the NAD 298 has the same types of amps as the NAD M33 or M27. The 298 has 185 watts but most people do not know you can bridge them for 600 watts. At $2k per amp that’s great value for money. What I feel is more important is the preamp. That needs to be class A all day long. Put a class A preamp like an Ayre KX-5 on your class D amp and you will wet yourself after you listen to that. Of course if you put a class A/B amp like the Ayre VX-5 you will still wet yourself but you won’t be able to wipe the smile off your face. I am in the Chicagoland area so back in the day your Ayre dealer was Audio Consultants. The new Ayre dealer in the Chicagoland area is:
https://holmaudio.com/
The great thing is you can experiment at the store or in your home to see what is right for you. The one thing I find interesting is Hegel is using Class A/B even though they are across the pond. They did add auto shut-off to their latest components per euro guidelines but they are still doing class A/B on the amps. 🤔
Please everyone help the cause and buy a class A of A/B amp so they don’t go away. Just kidding. Maybe not!
The only truly execrable amp I've ever bought was a Class D from China, for the subs in my home theatre. Thank goodness I put it on the bench first.

Same week I bought an old Bryston for the purpose - musical, powerful,  bullet-proof - should have started there, with a proven technology and a proven brand.
I really doubt class D will take over…..maybe for you, but their not everyone’s cup of tea. I’ve just recently gotten into vintage tubes. What would this hobby be without all these wonderful choices and approaches to explore.