What is your favorite Class D amp?


Moving to a new home with a smaller dedicated listening room has caused me to rethink my entire system.  I have always been a fan of EL34 tube amps and presently have a Primaluna HP (4 tubes per channel), but the size and heat make this a bit more difficult in my new set up.  So I have been thinking about going with a smaller, less hot class D amp.  But being a tube guy, I have never seriously looked into or listen to these amps.

so what is your favorite class D amp?  New or used, in the 5k range, but could go up to 10k.  Preamp is a Conrad Johnson ET-7.  Speaker will be in the monitor/mini-monitor class (so I don’t need high power for a smallish room) but have not made my final decision on speakers as the amp/speaker synergy makes this kind of a joint decision.

I purposely asked for “favorite” to be a bit more open in your relies.

thanks, Bill

meiatflask

As Class D goes, the best I have tried is the Axxess Forté 1 integrated. Its distortion is second order dominant, therefore it does sound similar to some tube prducts. That said, I still prefer good ol’ class A and tubes to any of the many class D amps I’ve owned. I am doubtful any existing class D product can emulate that “lit from within” midrange you get from a good EL34 amp. 

the load invariant ones... Basically anything from competent manufacturers.

 I use a pair of 1ET9040BA Monoblocks from Apollon Audio.

This - Apollon Audio Purifi 1ET9040BA Eigentakt Premium Monoblock Amplifier PET1200M

I haven't heard too many different models of class D, but I have to say my NAD C298 is a solid performer. I have a Luxman M900U and I really can't tell the difference between the class D NAD and the much more expensive class AB Luxman.

Not class D but cool, powerful, in price range, and small footprint: Benchmark AHB2.