Classdaudio vs Channel Islands amps

Audiozen,
I'm thinking about buying an assembled version since I've never made anything. Tom said it's pretty simple to put together, but I'll probably still have a hard time. The assembled ones are still a great value.

Stratahead,
I was also interested in the Digital Amp Co. cherry amps, but they are more expensive than other class D amps. Have you heard these amps? These would have to sound at least 4 to 5 times better (to my ears) than the Class D Audio amps to justify the higher price.

Izora..don't let higher prices trick you into believing you will get better sound. Thats walking into fools gold territory. There are testimonials from over forty customers on the Class D Audio website who have purchased their amps and the one thing that is impressive is that most describe the amps as having a very smooth, warm organic character like tube amps. I owned in the past the Nuforce REF 9 MKII's back in 2006 and they were very neutral but had no warmth and did not care for their high frequencies or bass. I believe you can have the power supply upgraded in the Class D Audio SDS-470C and if thats confirmed, I will be purchasing the amp in about ten days and will keep you posted on my listening results. During the past year Jeff Dorgay with Tone Audio Magazine commented to me on his review of the Channel Islands D-500 MKII mono blocks and said they are great amps but definitely not warm. I've held off during the past two years hoping to run across a warm sounding Class D amp thats not ICE, and Class D Audio seems to have achieved that quality based on all the customer's who purchased their amps.

Audiozen,
I was also impressed with all the customer reviews on Class D Audio amps. You're right - higher prices don't equate to better sound. I need to keep reminding myself of this and not fall into big manufacturers' marketing traps.

I have a friend who used to be a dealer. I was astonished to learn that speakers usually have a 50% dealer markup and most other audio gear have a markup of up to 40%. So basically, customers are paying for the dealer to operate a business. I guess this is what happens when you have a middleman. So I wonder how much a $5,000 amp is really worth after you figure in expenses for marketing, advertising, employees, dealers, and so forth. It seems like most people pay a price for a recognized brand name.

Anyway, I've also been looking for a good class D amp besides ICE. I guess we're in the same boat. Did you look into the Hypex NCore technology? It seems like the responses have been very favorable. I can't afford the retail version, but there's a DIY version. I have a strong feeling that I'll probably just buy an assembled Class D Audio amp. Yes, do let me know how it goes if you purchase one.

Bruno's Ncore NC1200 power module has a very low distortion rate, one of the lowest in the industry for Class D. There's a HD video that was just uploaded recently on Youtube of the Merrill Veritas amps at $12K a pair using the Ncore NC1200 and the SMPS1200 playing through a pair of Sanders speakers. Sound very good. Both modules are very small and fit in the palm of your hand and wholesale for about $1K a set. Merrill is laughing all the way to the bank since he sell's direct with $2K of Ncore electronics in a pair of his monoblocks. Waaaay overpriced. Check out the Google images photos of the Class D Audio interior of the SDS-470 amp. You get a helluva lot for $700.00. One customer on the Polk Audio forum had the SDS-470 upgraded to the Yamaha Nichicon capacitor's that are 17K microfards with a 71 volt output. Not sure if that was a factory upgrade or done at home.