Power Amp..opinions please


Hi All,
I am looking for a power amp (mono or stereo) to go with my Promitheus Reference C-Core TVC. Till some time back I was leaning towards the Wyred 4 Sound's SX-1000 monos. But as I read the net, I found people mentioning that the initial impressions of class D are detailed sound, neutrality, "true to original" etc. 10audio also has a great review about the wyred4Sound amp. At one point I was considering the RWA Sig 30.2 amps, as 6moons had a glowing review for these. Later I decided that they will not be enough for my average efficiency speakers.
Now I also read from others threads that as time goes by Class D becomes boring, no tone, etc, etc. I am a bit confused now and cannot decide which way to go. There is no dealer nearby that I can go to and listen to a Class D. So I also started to look at used Bryston, Parasound, Pass, McIntosh, Ayre, etc.
Can you please provide your experiences with Class D VS Class AB amps? Please do not suggest tubes. I would be using the amps with a Marantz SA-8260 CD player, Promitheus TVC and Quad 21L speakers. The cabling is Signal Cable through out. Currently using the NAD C352 integrated amp as power amp, but want to explore and experience a bit more high-end sound. A constructive thread with opinions (rather than mine is better than yours) will be highly appreciated and valuable to the forum.
Thanks much in advance.
128x128milpai

Showing 4 responses by mamboni

I have been listening to the Wyred4Sound ST-1000 stereo power amp for about 300 hours and they are fabulous sounding: ultraclean, dead quiet, sweet top end with complete elimination of phase distortion, zero audible distortion, and power reserves that are the thing of legend (~600W into 8 ohms; ~1200W into 4 Ohms). The ST-1000 are hands down better than any AB SS amp I've ever owned. As for the supposed rolled off top end - I can't detect it at all. But, I'm 52 years old and can't hear a whit above 14 KHz. Cymbal crashes and high strings and bells sound just so right - never grainy or offensive. The ICE amp will deliver whatever your CD transport/DAC can scrape off the little silvery disc.
I've owned several Rotel amps, B&K and Classe amps of mid 1990s mintage, and SUMO Polaris and Andromeda II. Of these, I thought the Andromeda II (240W into 8 ohms; 400W into 4 ohms; 80 Amps peak)best, having a warmish sound for SS and a sweet top though the bottom end was a bit soft and ill-defined. The Wyred4Sound amp sounds very similar to the Sumo, but the bottom end is now completely fleshed out and solid and defined. I hear subsonic info that was barely discernable before. The top end is sweet like the Sumo but is more pure and detailed. I am driving Ohm Walsh 5 (Mk III) which have a moderate 87 SPL and like a lot of current. The Wyred4Sound ST-1000 is the first amp to truly push the Walshs to their full measure of output, and then some!
My preamp is a vintage Pioneer Elite SP-99D preamp/processor. It is an active unit which I believe puts out more than 5V at max. I never have the volume dial past 11 o'clock and that is for low-level classical CDs. I believe the sensitivity of 2.5V on the W4S is for maximum power output - you'll never need anything close to this under normal use I think.
Yes, sensitivitity is defined as voltage input to drive power amp to maximum output. A passive preamp and CD source outputtind standard 2V should drive the W4S amp to very satisfying levels.