The Starke Sound AD4-320 is priced reasonably at $1300, i almost bought one in Dec. when they were on sale for $1000.
For me the AGD's are SOTA and that's what i'm after.
For me the AGD's are SOTA and that's what i'm after.
Class D amps that are superior to all or most?
Recently, I have heard about some Class D amps that may be close to the best there is regardless of class. Certainly, this technology has been in development for decades. The main issue has always been the switching power supply. In this regard, I have taken notice of AGD. They have created a whole new power supply that “switches” at a frequency 100 times the normal silicon based MOSFET. The designer uses a gallium nitride based PS. Interesting, it is enclosed in the KT88 glass envelope that sits on top of his amps. I am aware of two more pricey amps that seem to be also at the top- the Solution and the Merrill. There must be others that compete for the title. After my thread, “Is there a SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy?”, I am still on the quest.
Don’t want to spend $50K!
Don’t want to spend $50K!
Showing 18 responses by rh67
I have owned the AGD Audion amps for about a month now. They sound great i was a SET guy and the AGD's bring the best of SET and SS without the past flaws of class D. AGD offers a trial period, i did this and had all intentions of sending them back but they surprised me at how good they were so i bought them and they continue to get better. Take the trial as i did and find for yourself it`s worth it. |
"If that is the case then the designer didn't pay attention to the distortion signature. It can be quite low in a class D amp, but if the higher orders are not masked by the lower ordered harmonics it won't sound right." Bingo! Some class D on first impression can make you say wow but once you start to listen you began to realize that something is not quite right. I was talking to a friend on the east coast he has heard the Mola Mola integrated, top of the line Merrill and AGD amps and according to him he ranks the Mola Mola and AGD amps as not only the best of class D but some of the best amps he has heard period. I have not heard the Mola Mola amps but i do own the AGD Audion amps and i find them pretty special. |
Lots of class D amps sound "good" but if one is looking for not good but excellent sound you have to listen to most of what is out there. Cheap watts are exactly that cheap watts. Just as with class A, A/B there is a huge difference between class D amps. If someone is looking for just good there is plenty to choose from if looking for excellent it comes down to a handful and how easily your satisfied. If you strive for excellence listen to AGD or Mola Mola. |
The Mola Mola Integrated is excellent, Mola Mola and AGD are at the top of class D. I own the AGD amps and plan on buying the Mola Mola DAC as i like the AGD amps over the Mola Mola amps but the Mola Mola DAC is the best DAC i have ever heard. Mola Mola and AGD products have to be heard, they tower over any of the other amps mentioned here by a big margin. Go listen and you will understand. |
douglas_schroeder The revelation you had with the Legacy Audio i.V4 is exactly the same i had with the AGD Audion mono block amps. It's a powerful word but stunning fits my experience. And not just for class D but for any class of amps, the AGD's can go up against any amp. It's a wonderful time to be an audiophile. |
zephyr24069 Thanks. I live not far from Legacy and i plan on hearing their amps soon. I own the AGD's and i'am totally happy and not shopping, Legacy are close and i like to hear what's out there. You system is impressive, enjoy the music. |
Regarding class D i would like to see manufactures building their own class D modules. We need more effort, these modules IceEdge ect. no matter what amp they are inserted in all have a familiar signature even though they are much better today that signature goes back a decade. Different name on the faceplate but same internals same sound, good but not great. Several manufactures have designed their own class D modules and what i have heard AGD they are a major leap in SQ. Competition is the only way to really advance class D to maybe go head to head with class A. |