New Class D amplifiers
Hello. I'm very interested in getting your opinion on the newer Class D amplifiers. There has been a couple of very positive reviews (by Guttenberg) of the Bel Canto C6i and NAD M23. These, and perhaps some others are offering new technology that significantly lower the class D noise level and other drawbacks.
I currently use a Class A amp, Pass Labs INT-25 (with Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers) which has a wonderful sound. But I am transitioning to another location, and due to using Roon primarily I find that this system stays on most of the day. Due to heat and power usage of Class A amplifiers, I'm interested in translating to Class D if I find something comparable.
I am a huge proponent of Class D, not just the newest models. I like IcePower amps a lot more than I like some megabuck Class A, but not as much as I like my current Luxman. The point is, I find that too many audiophiles are stuck perpetuating an amp class discrimination with stereotypes that haven't been true since the 1990s. While the latest amps from Technics and Atmasphere may be great, there was nothing wrong with Class D, in general, five years ago either. |
At present, I have a Luxman m-700u/c-700u combo and PS Audio M1200 mono/PS Audio BHK preamp combo in rotation. The PSA M1200 amps use IcePower modules with proprietary tubed input stage. These two amplifiers are a near dead heat in sound quality, just different strengths. There's no clear cut "winner." Like Erik Squire's previous post, I prefer the Luxman combo for the type of music I listen to but could easily imagine someone else making another choice. The implementation of custom input stages using the IcePower modules is apparently important. I also have an amp that just uses the stock unmodified AS1200 module with high end Furutech wiring and connectors and it doesn't hold a candle to the performance of the PS Audio amps. There is also a difference in older IcePower modules vs. modules used in Legacy and PS Audio M1200 amps. The older modules used in many amps are decade old tech. |
After a number of various switching amplifiers through the 2000's I found a pair of early Hypex NC400 kit amps to be noticeably preferable in the mid and upper frequencies. I use them for recording playback with monitor speakers. I still use tubes for listening. I haven't followed Mr. Putsyes later models but I have noticed a number of speaker manufactures are using them for their powered systems. Interesting designer.
avatar: https://www.stringvirtuoso.com/artists/lorraine-campet/ |
A hidden gem to perhaps convert the close the class a heaters sonic gap. I have both an LSA Voyager GaN 350 (dual mono) and EVS 1200 based on dual IcePower 1200 AS1 modules. I was using the EVS with Ali-Express Nordost Odin 2 speaker cables and Odin 2 XLRs, plus Odin 2 coax, and while exceptional, my system has terrific detail, but lacked a rich dollop of warmth. Since these cables are super inexpensive, I replaced the XLRs with Odin Gold, which helped, so I wanted to change out the coax too, but couldn't locate it, so instead, I bought Odin Gold speaker cables, for a mere $128/3m pair!!! These provide a much better sonic match (warmer rounder without sacrificing any details that the Odin 2 provides. hth |
