Has anyone tried an amp from Class D Audio?

I tried the SDS-254 and it was natural sounding and compared well with other Class D designs that I auditioned. Sound-wise it was tilted up on the low end a bit. All together I had the following in my system: Nuforce, Bel Canto, Wyred4sound, Channel Island, and Class D Audio.

To my ears, and in my system, the Nuforce bettered the Channel Islands but only slightly ... and at more than twice the cost ($2,400 vs $5,000). I am currently running CI Audio D-200's. The Class D offering was a close third. Unlike a few others, I was not very impressed with either Bel Canto or W4S. Both are ICE module based and were very detailed and clear ("Everything being right with no soul"). They were bought used and sold for about the same amount.

Finally, you can get the Class D direct from the mfg and audition in-home for at least a month. He's a good guy to deal with as well; and in terms price/performance ... you can't go wrong. Just my 2 cents.

Strateahed,

Thanks for the info. What does the rest of your system consist of, in terms of pre amp, speakers and DAC?

How would you compare the SDS-254 to a mid range traditional amp, if you can make the comparison?

Just curious about class D? Have you checked out Aspen? Not class D but a world class contender.

Tonyangel,

I'm using a ClassD Audio SDS440CS amp to drive a pair of Magnepan 2.7qr spkrs. I bought it to replace my older Aragon 4004 class A/B amp that is similar to your 2004. I could not be happier with this amp. It was only $630 and puts out a solid 440 watts @4 ohms and it is very good from top to bottom. I think the CDA designer, Tom Ross, is using some proprietary design that allows this amp to handle low impedance loads. This amp doubles its power when going from 8 ohm to 4 ohm loads, which is unusual for a class D amp at such a budget price. This doubling of power, when the impedance is halved, is typically considered a good indication of a robust power supply in an amp's design.

I would recommend pairing the amp with a tube preamp if you want an organic sounding system with natural bloom and warmth. But, if you prefer a more neutral and accurate presentation, I'd use a solid-state preamp or an ARC tube preamp. From my experience, and from reviews and blogs from users I've read, the CDA amps seem to all have a neutral and accurate sound quality.

I've been using the SDS440, 60% for ht/40% 2-channel music, for the past 5-6 months and thoroughly enjoy this amp for both.

Because your Silverlines are somewhat inefficient, as my spkrs are, I would advise you to consider trying the SDS-440 or the more powerful SDS-470. I can say with confidence that you'll be able to get very good sq even at volumes louder than you'd ever care to listen without distortion, compression and without the amp getting more than merely warm to the touch.

If you decide to give one a try it won't be a big financial risk. CDA offers a 3 week trial period and you'll just be out shipping costs if you decide to return it.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

Thanks,
Tim

I have built and auditioned many of the Class D Audio amplifiers. They are a very neutral amp. If you want a bit of warmth in the mix, a nice tube buffer makes a work of difference. A buffer also helps putting a Class D amp in the system in regards to impedance as the Class D amps have a low iinput impedance and a buffer can have a very low output impedance.

The SDS-254 should not be a prpoblem as it has a 47K input impedance but some of the others are as low as 7K. This is also the best amp they offer in my opinion. Plenty of power, balanced inputs possible and easily handles 4 ohm loads. This module is the baseline for some hybrid amps we have designed.
A little tweaking and you really can have an exceptional piece for very litte outlay of cash.

If you are going to build your own based on one of their modules, I would recommend setting it up forst with the attenuators that come with it, measuring the resistance where it performs best for your system and then installing a resistor network in place of the attenuators (or simply leave the attenuators in for that matter. This can greatly reduce any residual noise due to the high gain of the amps.