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Class-D amps - a different re view

Martin Colloms, the editor of HiFi Critic (ad-free mag from the UK) have recently published the review of several different Class-D amps, together with an in depth technical analysys and measurments.

His conclusions were not favourable, to say at least:

"I regret that not a single model merits unqualified recommendation. Price is not the issue; the poor listening tests speak for themselves. (...)
At present we have to take the prudent view that good sound might be possible from switching amps, but we haven't heard it yet."

BelCanto REF1000 (ICEpower) - score 10.5 pooints
"The ICE power module used has a dependable reputation, and the design is well built and finished as a whole. While I would not suggest that you shouldn't try this amp, on sound quality grounds alone I cannot recommend it for audiophile use."

Channel Islands D100 (UcD) - score 13 pooints
"While I have reservations about a number of aspects of sound quality, and advise personal audition, given the solid lab results (...) the overall performance and the moderate price, these CA Audio monos do make it to the 'worth considering' cathegory."

NuForce 8.5V2 (proprietary technology) - score 9 pooints
"Yes, the price is good for the power output. Yes it's pretty, light, small and runs cool. However, the sound quality simply does not justify recommendation." (on top of that the NuForce amp measured very poorly - Elb)

Pro-Ject Amp Box (Flying Mole) - score 5 points
"I'm sorry to say that Project (...) was a real disappointment in the listening tests, and can't be recommended."

Just as a point of reference, recently reviewed Krell 700CX scored 100 points, CJ Premier 350 - 110 points and ARC Ref 110 - 135 points.

At least someone have had the balls to say it. This is why HiFi Critic is THE mag to subscribe.
128x128elberoth2
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
I am not sure MRT how to acquire a taste for a particular technology. . . I sure do not have a 'taste' for switching amps in cprinciple, same as I do not have a 'taste' for tube amps or classic solid state amps. . . . . I simply try to keep an open mind to all. Within switching amps I have listened to only a few and -- at the cost of sounding tedious -- I very much enjoyed the Spectron Musician 3 Sig and the Rowland 312. Other switching amps that I have had the priviledge to listen to I enjoyed partially or not at all. . . but so many switching amps I have 0 experience with.
This situation is identical for me to tube amps or solid state amps. . . after careful removal of large chip on shoulder, I listened to all I managed. . . out of these I enjoy some. . . most amps unfortunately I have not heard yet.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
on sunday i attended a chamber music concert of a string quartet at my local library.

what i heard was not remotely similiar to the sound of any stereo system.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Bingo MRT, I am very familiar with the problem. . . original live purely unamplified music does not usually sound terribly similar to the recorded product of the same. . . from humble local libraries or world-famous superannuated concert halls alike. Yet, they can be both differently wonderful. . . or even differently awful.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,957 posts
 
Mrtennis, by any chance do you have a recording made in the space that you just heard? My experience has been that its apples to oranges comparing live to recorded unless you are familiar with the space that the recording was made in.

I've done a lot of local recording with nice microphones and a portable tube recorder. Some of those recordings have made it to LP and CD. If I hear them played back properly I can always hear the hall- they easily remind me of where they were made. I've come to the conclusion that this is a major part of having a 'reference'.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Deshapiro, have you reached a final word on your Spectron vs Boulder 2060 comparison?
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