Not Another NuForce thread......

It is still peculiar to me that there is an evident dichotomy among the audiophiles who like and don't like NuForce (and other class D amps with or without built in switch mode power supply). Many proponents say: "Wow, those amps can easily beat over US$10,000 amps", while the opponents say: "The whole technology is bad. It is an immature technology full of pitfalls and shortcomings. The treble response sucks big time. Avoid them as the plague, etc.". I haven't seen such an extreme polarization within the audiophile community as in this case. Even in the case of solid state vs tube debate audiophiles are less polarized, in that most of them are aware that both technologies have their own benefits and shortcomings. I'm wondering what actually is the cause this dichotomy regarding the digital vs conventional amp technology.

Chris

Chris -

I agree with you and find the situation remarkable. I wish I had an answer but I don't. I will say that many of the extreme opponents that I have spoke with never spend a lot of time will switching amps in general and reached their conclusions in a knee-jerk fashion.
On the other hand, I have not found anyone that has spent a respectable amount of time with a NuForce amp and remained completely opposed to them, unless they had a vested interest. (i.e. did not carry them, did not manufacture any “Class D” amps or recently spend tons of cash on a more traditional design)

Also, the "new technology" argument does not fly with me. By my estimate, the Bel Canto Evo hit the market in 2001 and I believe there were others before that. The current state of D amps, such as any of the V2 from NuForce, represents a culmination of development and refinements to the technology. It has have taken CDs 25 years to sound really good, whereas these D amp have taken 7 - 8 years.

Then there is the resistant to change concept. Although you cannot quantify it or measure it, a reasonable mind can see that one who owns (or worse, recently spent larger sums of cash on) a mega buck linear or tube amp, will naturally shy away from a "newish" product which is 1/4 the price, 1/10 the weight, 1/25 the size and 100% cooler in temperature yet sound just as good if not better.

Be honest, have you ever defended a purchase (speakers being the most common) even though a "better" product became available soon after AND you could have afforded it??

All these issues could contribute to the division to extremes you spoke of....or we believers could just be wrong.

John

Or is perhaps the problem a religious one? One of 'believers' vs 'unbelievers'? In which case the issue is in danger of becoming aprioristic, and as such a specious argument by definition? Whereas a different and technologically agnostic way to look at the entire matter may be to start from a set of personal sonic requirements or practical constraints, and empirically determine which particular device or devices match such sonic requirements and constraints. This last approach may avoid the frequent pitfall of broad generalizations, which tend to be flawed either way.

Chris & Jb some interesting thoughts, thanks. I've assumed that the whole thing started with Stereophile's review of the PS Audio HCA2 along with its induction into their Class A rating all with seemingly less that stellar measurements. It can be difficult to admit that a fifteen hundred dollar amp has similar strengths as a high dollar unit.

Mr. Levi' enthusiasm for the SE's might be more of a testament to the Avalon Eidolon's as well as the 9's. The Eidolons are extremely revealing of changes within the system and as such provide a simply wonderful platform to hear the NuForse 9V2SE's.

Vic

Does anyone know if Nuforce amps will be shown in any suites at RMAF in Denver next month?