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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!
mglik
infection's avatar
infection
811 posts
 
Check out Aavik Acoustics...
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
This post is trolling.
Pure Class A is what is required.
End.
mikem
260 posts
 
@rajugsw said
”Those who have a hate on for Class D Switching Amplifiers, are just ignorant to be quite honest.”

Or just experienced..  Sorry.. I had several class D amps starting with the Tripath, ICE and then Hypex ..  Initially, they sound impressive, clean, clear and precise.. Then as time goes on and you realize they are not really musical, but fatiguing , bitter and analyzing..  Something about them is not organic and I found myself not listening to music as much anymore..
Maybe someday they will get Class D right.. but they work great in subwoofers.
Sorry to be so harsh here.. but I tried a FEW times and did not have any musical success..
bondmanp
1,854 posts
 
I own and enjoy an Arion Audio S-500 class D amp. Very affordable, powerful, and very clean sounding, but not bright.  Dead neutral in my system.  Mike Kalellis of Arion knows how to build a class D amplifier.  If you buy without auditioning an Arion amp, you might miss out or spend too much, IMHO.
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verdantaudio
1,563 posts
 
I believe MBLs electronics are Class D.  Huge power and ability to drive anything at 4 ohms. They should be mentioned here.  

I personally have 5 Class Ds at the moment.  Three of the five have tube input stages.  Rogue Hydra, Canor AI 2.10 and AVM A5.2.  I have a Marantz CR510 and an NAD M33.

All five sound incredibly good for the price and are all very musical.  Not fatiguing in the slightest.  The tube input stage on the Rogue, Canor and AVM softens the digital sound and it is very musical.  I have had them all driving Vivids and they sound fabulous.  Stock tubes stink in the Rogue and Canor and do need to be changed.  

the M33 needs room correction on.  With room correction, sounds like a completely different amp.  But so does Onkyo.  Without it can be cold and fatiguing.  
I have a customer with the C298 (same amp as in M33) and he has it paired with a VAC preamp and loves it.  
The one that is most shocking is the $500 Marantz network receiver. It sounds good.  Very natural.  No different than one of the class AB integrated language they sell yet is class D.  No tubes yet great sound.  Mar
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