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
"This is what I think. Legacy buys stereo modules. They use them in all the amps. So, an i-v8 would have 4 stereo modules (8 channels). The regular i-v4 has two stereo modules (4 channels). The I-v4 ultra has 4 stereo modules (8 possible channels) but they use just one channel of each module so they are basically mono amps. This gives more power for each channel and zero cross talk. Each channel is already bridged, so you cannot bridge an already bridged amp. So, no the i-v4 ultra cannot be bridged in any way. It already has 1200 watts into 4 ohms on each of its 4 channels. How much power do you need? I believe the i-v2 dual mono stereo amp has 2 stereo amps and then just uses one channel of each amp to make it mono."

To @ricevs  great post....that is what I understood last year when I spoke with Dudleston at Legacy before deciding to buy the i.V4 Ultra....
I am sure the Legacy amps are very good. Stock IceEdge modules in a box. However, most people would want the dual mono iV2 amp that retails for $4785 (most don’t need or want a four channel amp like the $8700 iV4 Ultra). You can buy a stereo dual mono amp using mono IceEdge modules from Rouge Audio Design in Italy and have it delivered to your door for $1600.......a savings of $3185!!!!! I can also do mods on any IceEdge amplifier for very little money that improves their sound. Of course, many do no like buying via mail order and also from small companies and also don’t care for modding. I fully understand. The IceEdge modules are seriously reliable.
Yes they are indeed very good, actually excellent in sound quality and much more than simply purchased modules installed in a box based upon my opening the cover and speaking based upon what I see first-hand.
Additionally, when you look at the dynamic range capabilities of stereo source material (which is predominantly recorded at 24 bits) and the emergence of streaming high resolution two channel audio as well as Atmos surround sound, using an amplifier that can keep up with the dynamic range is increasingly beneficial.
While this is certainly true, it has nothing to do with a properly functioning amplifier. Usually it has more to do with making sure that the speakers used with the amp are such that when the dynamic range of the music is expressed, you hear everything without distortion, even if its at lifelike levels.

As an example, in 1959 RCA released the Soria series recordings. Dorle Soria came from Angel to work with RCA and produced upscale recordings and packaging. One such recording is the Verdi Requiem, which is recorded without any compression. The second cut on side one has dynamic range that can bring many systems to their respective knees. But if you have enough power and you have easy to drive speakers its no problem!
While this is certainly true, it has nothing to do with a properly functioning amplifier. Usually it has more to do with making sure that the speakers used with the amp are such that when the dynamic range of the music is expressed, you hear everything without distortion, even if its at lifelike levels.

As an example, in 1959 RCA released the Soria series recordings. Dorle Soria came from Angel to work with RCA and produced upscale recordings and packaging. One such recording is the Verdi Requiem, which is recorded without any compression. The second cut on side one has dynamic range that can bring many systems to their respective knees. But if you have enough power and you have easy to drive speakers its no problem!

Great example on the Soria series,....absolutely spot-on. As to the rest of the reply, you cannot have one without the other, i.e. a speaker that will do it when the amp cannot accomplish the same goal and vice versa leaves you with the system not being able to do it so with all respect, it does have to do with the amplifier’s capabilities.