High End Amp Price Collapse musings


If Class D amplification becomes accepted by audiophiles there should be a glut of high end amps (Krell, Levinson, Pass etc) becoming available on the used market at prices a fraction of what they are now.

Think CRT TV when the flat panels began emerging.I think Ill hold off on a new/used amp purchase for a little while. Maybe I will bet a Boulder.

Has any one else considered this?

energeezer

Showing 13 responses by grannyring

Yes indeed the times they are a changing and heavy amps will indeed be a thing of the past very soon. Class D and digital amps have indeed arrived and are spectacular. Very exciting times. They will only get better and that is exciting. 
We are in the digital age and innovation has already given us phones, computers, iPads, etc... that are smaller, more lightweight, and much more powerful in their usefulness. This is also happening in audio and is inevitable. It will take time, but the early adopters are now giving way to early majority. It is happening right now before our eyes! The life cycle has already started. There will always be laggards that will not give up what they know and love, but make no mistake the cycle is well underway.

As has already been pointed out, most manufactures are now making Class D and digital amps. These were not available from most of these manufacturers just 10 years ago. The cat is out of the bag and much effort, R&D, and general resource funds are being poured into improving the technology. This is not a fad, rather it is disruptive in nature and will reach wide scale usage in the future. Yes it will take time, but in the big picture 10-15 years is not very long.
Good question John. It has hurt and will continue to hurt vinyl. The latest hipster fad for turntables is a fad and will fade away. Steaming, Tidal, Roon, one box digital solutions etc... are absolutely eating away from vinyl, cds and the like. No doubt about it.

I am not saying folks are dumping their amps, though many of us have, but I am saying they will be replaced with these new generation of amps over the next 10-15 years. Except for the laggers as it is with all real innovation and change.

I am a tube amp lover and will always have one. I love building and modifying tube gear, but it is a hobby and interest of mine. In terms of sound my digital amp/pre/dac/room correction unit simply sounds better than my pride and joy tube amp build. I have more emotional investment in it, but I know it does not sound as good in terms of fidelity. 
I did not like the Devialet that much and sold after 1 month of ownership. It was ok, but nothing special. I would not use it as an example of the best this technology has to offer. My Lyngdorf 2170 is much better and only $4000 or so. It comes with amp, pre, dac, room correction all in one package. Amazing piece. Everything is handled digitally and the room correction is the real game changer. Sold my TRL Dude and monoblock tube amps and enjoy the Lyngdorf even more! 

Lots of great gear out there for sure, not just Class D or digital amps. Sure this is all still very subjective. 
Agreed streaming and subscription services is indeed the future. For me now. Love Tidal with Roon.
With so many Class D amps and price points it's not possible so say Class D is not there yet, or I tried and it is not good enough yet etc...

All that can really be said is " I tried one or two and that particular amp was not as good as my...."  

We really cannot paint across the whole Class D universe with a broad brush. It is reasonable you like this or that amp better. 

I like my digital amp better then many of Tube and Class A amps I have owned, but I cannot say it bests all amps in the amp universe. 
My Lyngdorf unit is digital so I am referring to newer amp technology in general.

 
Class D can be SOTA in sound on all frequencies. Need to hear some of the best Class D to know that. Remember, those economical  Class D amps in subs and speakers do not speak to the whole market of Class D offerings. 
Mitch2, I must admit I would love to hear the Clayton amps! Just out of my budget. I always look and relook and any used ones that come it. They are rare however. 
Agreed! I am listening to a Lyngdorf 2400 that is Class D and simply outstanding! Easily makes it obvious I can sell off those back breaking  70 pound amps of my past. This amp is simply outstanding! 

Yes I own the 2170 and it replaced $20,000 worth of separates! Love it! Combines SOTA room correction, with a great DSP dac and outstanding amp as you mention.

I have owned great separates from the likes of TRL, CJ, Aesthetix, Canary, Von Gaylord, Tom Evans, Parasound, Blue Circle, Cary, Atmasphere, Bruce Moore, Lector,  and others. This little 2170 from Lyndorf is my favorite. No more interconnects, only one power cord, no digital cables, very short signal paths, and a resulting sound that is spectacular.
Just call Neal at Sound Science and he will work with you. I purchased my music server from him also. We both replaced some $20,000 - $25,000 in separates it's the 2170.  

http://www.soundsciencecat.com