2. amps-preamps
  3. 183902-181825

Warmer class D amps for magnepan?

I am planning on buying a pair of lrs+, and i need a poweramp. I am well aware that class D is despised in the magnepan community, but its unwarranted. Nuforce and the new purifi amps are designed to handle 2 ohm loads, and have been used to power Maggies without falt. My only concern is they will kinda rip my head off if i play any less than perfect recording on them. I’m aware that all modern magnepans are unforgiving, but can be tamed with a smoother amplifier. So why not class A or AB? Unfortunately, i simply dont have the space for the ones that are actually rated at 2 ohms (the lrs is around 3.5ohm, but dips to 2.8, it MUST be able designed to handle a 2 ohm load). Also, any one of them that does go up on sale, the owners almost always refuse to ship them, and want you to pick it up in person (for which i dont have the resources to do so). So I ask if there are any smoother, more forgiving class D poweramps (not intergrated models) that you are sure will power magnepans correctly. They can be discontinued, as i will be buying it used regardless, so anything from 2008 to 2018 would be preferable and my budget is around €2000, so say $2500. Thank you.

hamark
tomrk
72 posts
 

Based on the Magnepan 3.6R’s that I have, class D sounds fine. I have the NAD M33 which makes about 380WPC into 4 ohms (also will do over 600WPC peak). So yes, the bigger panels need some juice to make them rock. After hours of listening, they still sound great and the amp only ever gets slightly warm, even with the volume set at 0.0 db

As to how they sound, I’d describe both the speakers and amp as neutral and I mean that in a complimentary way.

I compared the M33 with various AB amps that were quite a bit more expensive, one or two that were considered "warm", and I simply didn’t hear the difference. I’m sure some will claim my ears must’ve been blocked that day, but no, months later, I’m still impressed with the sound from this combo both on modern music, classical, jazz, and even country.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
953 posts
 

I think PSAudio has a try and buy on their class D offerings.  

tweak1
3,638 posts
 

I am reading a review of the American Amplifier in the new TAS. Unlike the majority of Class D modules this one is based on Pascal which apparently is more musical/warmer, and sounds like it will drive Maggies

secretguy
1,680 posts
 

I don't get why everyone is so hung up on class. Who cares what class it is? You either like it or you don't.

chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 

Class D is fine - what really matters is the pre-amp.  That;s where the desired warmth can come from.

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