There is no class d amp that will sound like a class A or tubed amp, sorry. The heat thing with class A is over blown in my opinion. Yes, they generate some heat, but not near enough to impact your comfort in the summer time. No way would I give up my class A Sugden, especially for a cold and lifeless class d. However, if you must, the Rogue Sphinx v3 would be the way to go, as it also has tubes.
Class D for a Tube Lover
First, I'm sure this has been asked many times but searching the subject wasn't too helpful to me.
So apologies in advance.
I enjoy tubed electronics and class A amps, which tend to be a bit warm. My current Cary 805s warm my small (12x16) music room even in the cool/cold of winter. I've got other amps that don't produce much heat, but am looking for something that produces no heat. Living in a home with no central AC the room gets uncomfortably hot during the summer months.
So...I'd like to try some Class D amps. Stereo or mono is just fine. And my speakers aren't difficult to drive so I don't need a thousand watts. But if that thousand watt amp sounds great, I'm not adverse to that, either.
I'd like to keep the price under 2k used.
Please help.
Thanks.
So apologies in advance.
I enjoy tubed electronics and class A amps, which tend to be a bit warm. My current Cary 805s warm my small (12x16) music room even in the cool/cold of winter. I've got other amps that don't produce much heat, but am looking for something that produces no heat. Living in a home with no central AC the room gets uncomfortably hot during the summer months.
So...I'd like to try some Class D amps. Stereo or mono is just fine. And my speakers aren't difficult to drive so I don't need a thousand watts. But if that thousand watt amp sounds great, I'm not adverse to that, either.
I'd like to keep the price under 2k used.
Please help.
Thanks.
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- 125 posts total
Not class D, but I bought a Musical Fidelity M3si class AB integrated for hot weather duties. Sounds wonderful and is the coolest running AB amp I've ever used, nearly no heat. I tried a Rogue Sphinx V2, but sent it back, It sounded ok, except for the hiss that I could hear across the room. (98dB sensitivity speakers) |
I run a PS Audio Stellar S300 with a tube pre and find the combination excellent. In addition, the build quality is superb. I'm told that their M1200 mono blocks are tremendous performers but are 2x the price. I believe those amps have a tube on the input stage and Class D on the output stage. Reviews have been excellent, though I have not heard them. Modern high quality Class D designs are on par (dollar for dollar) with the equivalent Class AB design. They have come a long way and many people still deriding Class D need to get with the times. Just my $.02 |
I would second the Classe Sigma Amp-2, they sound beautiful, but if you have low impedance speakers - ones that dip down to 1 to 2 ohms - I do not think it will have the bass control that some people are looking for. After trying many amps, I went with AB Rowlands. I moved the Classe to home theater to drive Klipsch - does a wonderful job there - smooth, warm. I have a friend that has the Belcanto amp, says it was $5000 and hates it, not sure which one - he has it driving a set of outside speakers now. My preference is tube on the front end, SS on the back. |
I'd like to suggest you give one of the Digital Amplifier Company Cherry Amps a try. They don't use a class d module purchased from a 3rd party, instead they have their own class d circuitry. There are several versions, all with similar voicing and a few that are near or under the $2k mark...and the company often has specials. I own the 2Cherry and would characterize it as having some of the better characteristics of tube+solid state. There are a number of professional reviews...but maybe what the actual owner say might mean more. Here are a couple of links that might be helpful. UPDATED: 🍒 Maraschino, x-CHerry, and MEGAschino REVIEWS (audiocircle.com) Digital Amplifier Company 2-CHerry Power Amplifier The light amp that packs a heavy punch! Review By Frank Garofalo (enjoythemusic.com) Cherry Amp HOME PAGE | cherryamp Tommy O’Brien Digital Amplifier Company (positive-feedback.com) |
- 125 posts total