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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
61falcon's avatar
61falcon
158 posts
 

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.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,993 posts
 

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

soix
11,230 posts
 

I’d finalize the speaker decision first because that’ll largely dictate which amps will be suitable to drive them properly.  That said, you might consider the Coda S5.5 that’s a Class A amp but supposedly doesn’t get too hot according to owners so worth a look, and it’s not all that big either as amps go.  For Class D I’d look at AGD and Atmasphere GaN amps.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

nymarty
124 posts
 

Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 monoblocks.  They design their own GaN-FET modules and they sound fantastic.  Well within your budget.  

chenry's avatar
chenry
289 posts
 

I am using a class D NAD 298 in one system with a ProJect Pre Box RS2 Digital preamp which has a selectable 6922 tube preamp stage, the sound is very good.

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