Classdaudio vs Channel Islands amps

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.

Correction..The SMPS1200 is the power supply, not the NC1200 which is the switching module.

Izora, yes I prefer the CI Audio D-200's to the Class D Audio amps. To me the D-200's are more neutral in my system. Never listened to the Cherry's ... hence no comment. I only communicated with the owner/designer. That's my point. Talking to the owner/designer doesn't determine if I'm going to like their product in my system and in my listening environment.

Everything on the list in my embedded comment has any number of fanboys and detractors. I made up my mind by listening and comparing. In the case of the Class D to Channel Islands ... those were compared directly as I was able to go back and forth. So, I'll leave this thread alone and sign-off with the familiar Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV). Good luck and happy listening.