Could Class D really be that good?

I do not run a class D amplifier, so take this with a grain of salt.....though it does apply IMO. A tube preamp (or preamp section), can mate extremely well with solid state amplifiers.

I have the recently updated CODA S5.5 class A SS amplifier that is truly a marvel, and was initially driving it with a Denafrips Hades preamp.....which is much better than I ever gave it credit.

I recently added an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp, and my god what a revelation. I'd consider a tube preamp, or an amplifier with a tube input stage....it might be the best of both worlds for you

Hypex Nilai renders a new level of sonic refinement over the pre ious modules, ice power included. The most underrated out there atm. I’m looking forward to getting the diy kit for the Nilai 500 amp myself. 

You just stated above that any modern op amp has no sound (will not change the sound). 

@ricevs 

The above statement is false. Here is what I actually said:

Not to put too fine a point on it, but when you can change an opamp (if its modern, hi performance) and hear a change (other than noise floor), one of two things is happening: 1) confirmation bias, or 2) the circuit has a design flaw.

That isn't me saying 'any modern opamp has no sound'!

What I am saying is that if you know how to design with opamps, and if you compare high performance opamps, then you will not hear any difference other than perhaps the noise floor.

I know there are companies that make a living selling opamps based on them having a 'sound'. But any engineer finds that sort of thing to be a facepalm event. It means either the opamp is poor performance compared to what is readily available (and probably for a lot less money) or the circuit in which it is used is poorly designed, or both.

I knew you could not leave it alone.....you had to have the last statement....so, i will not comment and let the readers here decide for themselves who has truth and who is blowing smoke.

If you want to know something about anything.....then do some research. The internet is a vast wealth of knowledge......but one persons opinion means very little. Don’t be a sheep or a lemming.......After finding out what MANY others say then find out empirically *with your senses" what is true, for YOURSELF. Listen and know. Do not believe me or anyone. Do your own research.....be your own creator, your own God.....for we are made in the image of the almighty. We CAN KNOW for ourself, what is really true about anything......including what is our true spiritual identity/reality......In MY EXPERIENCE......we are all love. and incredibly beautiful and amazing. The truth shall set you free......free from your ego mind.....free from worry.....free from death.....for we are eternal. Happy forever!

@ricevs

The measurements don’t change but anyone can hear a difference? This is a huge discovery, and understanding what is going on will advance science. If you can figure out a way to show what it is we are hearing with some new measurement your name will go down in history. Heck, if you can even demonstrate that people are hearing a difference in well conducted tests, and nobody can measure a difference, that alone will get you in the history books. We’ll have a huge scientific mystery to look in to.

You’ve got to do it man, for the sake of scientific progress! If you get good data out there, even the most resistant, hardened skeptics will have to relent. In time, they'll thank you for it.