2. amps-preamps
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My NAD 3020 D proves your Class D tropes are wrong

I have a desktop integrated, the NAD 3020D which I use with custom near field monitors. It is being fed by Roon via a Squeezebox Touch and coaxial digital.

It is 5 years old and it sounds great. None of the standard myths of bad Class D sound exist here. It may lack the tube like liquid midrange of my Luxman, or the warmth of my prior Parasound but no one in this forum could hear it and go "aha, Class D!!" by itself, except maybe by the absolute lack of noise even when 3’ away from the speakers.

I’m not going to argue that this is the greatest amp ever, or that it is even a standout desktop integrated. All I am saying is that the stories about how bad Class D is compared to linear amps have been outdated for ages.

Great to see new development with GaN based Class D amps, great to see Technics using DSP feed-forward designs to overcome minor limitations in impedance matching and Atmasphere’s work on reducing measurable distortion as well but OMG stop with the "Class D was awful until just now" threads as it ignores about 30 years of steady research and innovation.
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
15,788 posts
 
@dave_b

What exactly is your problem? I mean it both existentially and with your inability to use full sentences.

You don't like the thread? You don't like the posters?  You can't contribute so you have nothing to say worth typing?
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
I can't imagine that system is that good.  However, I do not make rash judgements about anything without personal experience.  The fact that you say because you like it it must be exceptional means nothing to us if we cannot hear it.  I am glad you enjoy it.  That is all that matters.
genez
220 posts
 
Class D?   I have heard PS Audio's Class D amp.   Sounded very good with better detail I have heard with tubes or class AB.  This one sounds even better!

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/analog-reviews/amplifier-reviews/nuprime-st-10-power-amp/

NuPrime ST 10
yyzsantabarbara
4,526 posts
 
Interesting comments on burn which for the most part was needed in all my amps, except the Benchmark AHB2.

I recently bought the Class D D-Sonic M3a 800s stereo amp for my Thiel CS3.7’s and the owner of the company told me that his amps do not need burn-in. I tend to believe him on this. These amps use Pascal modules. I like them, especially for the price ($1500). I am currently running them DAC direct to amp (Gustard X26 Pro) and will add a CODA 07x preamp, that is if the UPS driver decides to make their deliveries today.

In the future I will likely get the CODA #8 amp but this D-Sonic is very good.
mbolek
164 posts
 
@yyz hoping that is a Rush reference...

Best band ever!

Please do us a favor and listen to some Purifi amps.  Seems like UPS is delivering to you every day.   Hope to be like you in the near term.......

I'm going on 15 years of DIY Class D,  all Hypex stuff way back to their UcD.  

I spent way too much money on Class A, A/B, Tubes with the all the usual suspects....Levinson, Pass, Rowland, Mac, etc....

Finally figured out that a great source (streaming - Roon - Qobuz) gives me the most enjoyable (maybe not the best) listening experience to date.

I'm leveraging a Ravenna interface thru Roon and the fiber connectivity is absolutely tremendous.

M
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