Class D Amp For 'Stats?

Warnerwh,

I have also owned the Innersound ESL (driving the Eros, as a matter of fact). I think it's a very good amp, and - especially used - a fantastic value. What I never got from the ESL was the harmonic richness of tubes, something I value highly. A couple of reviews of the various Class D amps have suggested that that richness is characteristic to a degree. Here, I'm specifically thinking of Srajan Ebaen's review of the H2Os. Coming from a long time tube addict such as Srajan, I found his comments to be rather striking.

Jafox,

Now that's what I needed - a directly applicable opinion. I wonder if the H2O M250 Signatures would be better? These are actually my top contenders at the moment. The CATs are great amps, but they have the same downside as any other tube amp for me at this point in time (see above). With all due respect to Harrahlv, Bryston is not my particular cup of tea either. I actually have 3 'conventional' solid state candidates for amplification as well - Ayre V-1xe, Edge NL-12, and McCormack DNA-500. This may be a long road.....

One will run into a lot of pitfalls when trying to implement the H2O (I have the Sig monos). For me, there is no doubt they are the best amps I have ever had in my system.

I have found any speaker cable that has anything but minimal insulation coating will cause dielectric polluting of the signal. Also, I am a fast non-upsampling convert. Preamps with a strong power supply do better.

This is a new technology, and that applies to all digital, and class D amps. It requires a rethink of system priorities to bring out the best. The potential is there.

Caveat, I have no business offering any advise here. I've never heard the Sound Labs. I've very little experience with digital amps. Many seem to think that the digital amps can be bright. I just wonder if the traditional Rowland house sound still exists in their digital offerings. A_rt of Analog Research Technologies has mentioned something about offering an option to customize the frequency response of his amps to match a given load. There may be options. Perhaps now that there are quite a few manufactureres offering digital amps we should start respecting them as individual products rather than lumping them by technology.

Curriemt11,

I have owned many amps similar or perhaps parallel to what your tastes may be. I have owned McCormack DNA-2 Deluxe, Quicksilver V4 monos, auditioned the Ayre, as well as the Rogue Zeus. I now own the H20 Signature Monoblocks. Srajan's review is on the money. I would also take note of Srajan's review on the Nuforce, in specific where he states, almost all ICE powered class D amps sound a certain way... EXCEPT the H20 Signature monos. That is not a coincidence.

The H20 Signature Mono's are the real deal. Are they the best amp out there? I will never claim that. Everyone has sonic "preferences", however, they do carry themselves with the heft of a true class A solid state, with the liquidity of tubes, yet without the harshness or grain at high levels of solid state, and without the euphoric coloration of tubes.

As for system matching, I have had no problem. I have my system posted here on A'gon and there should be a clickable link by my moniker.

If you are seriously considering a new amp, I would try those you are interested in, in your home, in your system.

I would also make certain to audition the H20 Sig Mono's as Henry offers a trial. For what they do, at their price point, they will get the respect they deserve sooner or later when people hear them.