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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.
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Showing 5 responses by getheleadout

getheleadout
144 posts
 
It seems like one of main points of this review is, that it was done by a reviewer who doesn't except any advertising.

Well is that same vane, I suggest another reviewer "10 Audio", who also doesn't appear to accept any advertising.

They found an ICE based switching amp to have performed quite good, beating out the majority of other designs in price to power ratio. Not to mention size, heat, weight and power consumption.
getheleadout
144 posts
 
What seems to be constantly overlooked here is the Idea that most digital switching amps sound the same and have the same drive capabilities. This is simply not true.

This is as true as saying all SS amps sound and drive the same all tube amps sound and drive the same.

I think it's just a convenient way for people who obviously don't like switching amps to lob them into one category.

ALL SWITHCHING AMPS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.
getheleadout
144 posts
 
I suppose it would be blasphemy to bring up the Carver Conrad Johnson shootout of the 80s...
getheleadout
144 posts
 
As a CI D200 owner and lover for the last two years, I find it quite interesting that these amps very rarely come up on the used market.

In fact, I'd say of all the amps mentioned in this endless thread, the CI D200 are by far the least seen on Audiogon.

Given the number of these amps out there, I'd say that's the ULTIMATE test of actually how good an amp is, is an owners complete satisfaction and not wanting to sell it in an attempt to upgrade.
getheleadout
144 posts
 
I use CI D200s to drive my 104db sensitivity Klipsch LaScala and find the results spectacular. My guestimation as to why some people don't like the sound is because they don't like whats actually happening upstream. I find the D200 to be the most accurate amps I've heard. They have no sound of their own. They just get out of the way and let the music come through, like it or not.
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