ICE Amps for classical music?

From Dob, contributed to Simon Thatcher: "We believe that when our subconscious mind detects a even small unnatural trace of distortion in reproduced acoustic music (which is not recognized yet as a very low level irritant by the analytical part of our brain) it activates a subtle alarm."

I play my music after it's kind. I like playing piano at realistic levels, keeping in mind the fact one has to pay mind to where the microphone is during the recording.

With a real clean CD, I use higher levels again. I have some really lovely sounding CDs. Orchestral recordings require a substantially high volume setting to get the most satisfaction out of the rolling peaks. On this system there is not a hint of any distortion at any level.

Thank you so much Rafael, I will look for the Kertesz performance. G.

When it comes to peaks in classical orchestral music, the term peak is actually a misnomer. Classical music has sustained passages of high complexity which can be particularly heavy in the lower frequencies. This can place an incredible demand on power requirements for a sustained period of time. I have much music that has 'crescendos' that last minutes, not seconds. With insufficient power, those protacted moments when the entire orchestra is playing together at full-tilt can sound strained and muddy. High power is a requirement here, although power by itself does not guarantee excellent reproduction and musicality.

My speakers are not inefficient at 90 db into 4 ohms. However, I am readily drawing 500+ watts of power when listening to the final movement of Mahler #6 at a spirited volume. This movement is huge with prominent double-basses, cellos, and brass, all playing together. With that amount of power, it remains sweet and clear, with no collapse of the stage and no strain.

I am sure I am not the first to say this but since I am late to the party and have only read the question not the answers,there are good and bad amps in all genre that can do harm to classical music, or any other music for that matter.

Wrong amp and wrong speakers and no type of music is safe.

Full blown orchestral classical music needs amps and speakers that are full range.
If your classical taste is small chamber ensembles, then small two ways and low to mid power tube amps are very nice.

I have Ice powered amps,Red Dragon Leviathan monos and have used them on Tannoy Ardens, Merlin TSM and now on Ref 3A Grand Veenas.
I listen to all types of music, and all styles of classical, so far my Ice amps have yet to be bested in a recent amp comparison I have had with some pretty well respected tube amps.

If other Ice amps are similar to mine, then I would say you have nothing to worry about.

Where were everyone 5 years ago. I still have tomato stains staining my pride.
Lacee has it right. It has been my experience one has to have a lot of patience to
get class D going superbly. I had faith I could. I never dreamed of just how good
it gets, though. Rtn1 is right to correct our use of peak in describing orchestral
music.