Talking about differences of amps, they jumped on me pretty hard too. Their king is anything from Purifi/Hypex. Last week I talked about how system synergy is important and I got absolutely destroyed. I'll never go back there again, it is not a place to voice a different opinion. There's a new generation of people that only rely on graph data + distortion measurements and they are VICIOUS.
Class D amplifiers have been greatly improved in the last few years and some are very competitive with class A and A/B. As with anything audio, especially the high end, the design and its quality depends upon the designer.
Some forums tend to focus on measurements, topography's, individual parts like the DAC chip and while the individual parts are important, their selection, combination, and the implementation of the sections of the device in total, are where the magic resides! There is a reason why many audio designers and their historical designs rightfully remain held in esteem and it ain’t because of the individual parts they choose, or point-to-point wiring, or the type and class of their product. It is because of how they conceptualized and implemented their designs!
Get away from any forum that favors a certain class of amplification over others, measurements vs listening, a certain DAC chip over others, solid state vs tubes, box speaker’s vs other types etc. Everything in this hobby has their place. Ruling out anything, especially out of hand, eliminates some marvelous equipment finds.
For example, for audition, my son obtained a Sears Silvertone tube amp from a vintage console stereo. The price was $300! He bought it from a local vintage audio repairer and seller. That $300 tube amp at 7-watts, is killer with my son's Klipsch heritage La Scala speakers. Who would've thought -- not some forum member!!
Don't eliminate, or gravitate to anything because some say this or that is good, or not. As with anything in life that is truly rewarding, one must learn enough to make one’s own educated decisions.
