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Competitive class D amp suggestions

I have been Class D fun since a few years ago when i bought my first class D amp. I like the concept, in general, and all the attractive features of this class of amplifiers. I tried 4 different ones, currently i  stayed with one of them that i consider to be the best among all four amps. I do enjoy and like it. At the same time,  my 5 watts SET amplifier (with more than 100 times higher distortion according to the specs) gives more natural and (surprisingly) notably cleaner sound (THD of the class D amp is 0.001). The soundstage  of the class D amp is not so bad but that of the tube one is still better.   

I remain attracted by class D amps though. 

Any fresh suggestions on reasonably priced class D amps (i mean excluding  non-reasonably priced class D amps, e.g., Merrill amplifiers)?

Any comments on non-reasonably priced class D amps are also welcome (so far i was not able to audition many class D amps and am curious if there are some which could really compete with Class A). 

128x128niodari
tweak1
3,654 posts
 

I can't imagine what amp could replace my Voyager. I still have the EVS1200, to try as a subwoofer amp, unless someone wants to buy it

smargo's avatar
smargo
51 posts
 

"how would you characterize, roughly, sonic differences between Ncore, Purifi and GaN amps ? Why you decided to try Peachtree 400 if you already had another GaN module amp? "

 

My Peachtree Gan sells  for $3000 - My Nad amp is purifi at $1,999 - I previously had the cherry desktop version "stereo amp" - In my opinion - the peachtree is the more sophisticated sound of the 3 - More grown up - More high end - The nad is good sounding as well - the cherry amp - id have to place 3rd - and if you didnt know any better - you would think the cherry and nad are fine and dandy.

The Nad sounds very good to me  The nad tries to be high end - but it is not - its more of "im the nad and i use purifi and i sound good - im here and why would you think there is something better then me

But the peachtree doesnt care what you think - its the older brother - with more of sophistication to its sound. again i have said it a thousand times but the peachtree is definitely the "high end" one - its very subtle and very clear and you dont get wowed by it - but its the more long term sound you can live with - without having the need so much to see whats even better still

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

@niodari It's all about the implementation.  Asking that last question is like asking how different bipolars, jfets and mosfets sound.

ricmech23
105 posts
 

Give the Peachtree Gan400 a shot. You won’t be disappointed. 

niodari's avatar
niodari OP
300 posts
 

Thanks again for the input. 

Based on your suggestions, current possible selections are (in the priority order)

Peachtree Gan400, March audio P262 (which indeed seems to be well built - just judging by photos), VTV Purifi, and i may check the other suggested options as well.

Thanks @twoleftears for your comment. Though my question could not be so stupid; e.g., it is a common point of view that Ice Power amps sound natural and less analytical then many class D amps. But of course, this does not classify them as the best class D amps.

@smargo, your explanation was very useful, especially when you compare three amps with different type of modules in a comprehensible may. I also owned Cherry desktop Maraschino (STM). Its main attraction is the size (and power it gives for that size). I think the AGD amps somehow borrowed the desktop concept of STM, at least, in the design. The Megaschino is considerably better (and also it costs about 5 times more i think).  

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