Classdaudio vs Channel Islands 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.

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.

Izora..I worked in retail for several years back in the 80's and in 2005 started a high end retail business that had a short life since my silent JV partner in Oregon was hit hard with his wife coming down with Cancer. She never recovered and he pulled out providing investment capital so I went out of business. The discount range in high end audio retail varies between 40% and 55% based on bracket buying. Iy you buy one to three amps wholesale its a 40% discount. If you buy five amps its 50% discount. Buy ten amps and you get 55% off. This is why I get pissed off at some companies selling factory direct at very high rip off prices to consumers at no discount who do not have to sell to retailers resulting in doubling their profit margins and screwing consumer's. Class D Companies such as Class D Audio, D-Sonic, DAC, Wyred4Sound, Arion, and a few other's recognize this and keep their prices low for the consumer. The highest profit margin's for manufacturer's and retailer's are cable's.