I would endorse everything said so far about AGD. I had an AGD Tempo for several years and only that well-known itch led me to get a pair of AGD Duets. The Tempo didn't leave but went into the second system. With the Duets I don't feel I'm lacking for anything.
Expanding the Class D Conversation: How Would You Characterize Their Differences?
Expanding the Class D Conversation: How Would You Characterize Their Differences?
I'm currently trialing the NAD M23 (1st gen. Eigentakt-based), and I find it intriguing enough to want to understand it better — which means understanding the broader sonic landscape of class D. So I'm crowd-sourcing.
In a recent exchange, the estimable Ralph Karsten (Atma-Sphere Music Systems) made two comments that stopped me cold. For those who missed it, here's what he said:
"IME, class D amps vary in sound more than tube amps, which is to say, quite a lot."
"IMO there is a bigger difference between various class D amps than you hear between various tube amps. IOW just because you heard one class D amp says nothing about how the next one might sound."
Link: https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2885828
As I think through this more carefully, these are genuinely important claims. My own experience with tube amps confirms that they produce audibly distinct characters across topologies and designs. If Ralph is right and class D exceeds that range, then generalizing from one class D experience to another is even more hazardous than I assumed.
One specific question for Audiogon members:
If you have a Class D amp or have compared class D amplifiers, how would you describe their character(s)?
Here are some criteria I use:
- Frequency balance — Is the tonal response even across bass, mids, and treble, or does it favor certain regions?
- High-frequency texture — Are the highs extended and smooth, or edgy, grainy, and fatiguing?
- Bass definition — Is the low end tight and articulate, or loose and bloated?
- Midrange character — Does the midrange feel present and natural, or recessed and thin?
- Transient speed — Does the amp respond quickly to dynamic attacks, or does it sound sluggish and rounded?
- Dynamic range — Does it scale convincingly from quiet passages to loud ones, or compress the difference?
- Soundstage width and depth — Does it create a convincing three-dimensional image, or sound flat and narrow?
- Image specificity — Are instruments and voices placed precisely, or do they blur and wander?
- Background noise floor — Is the silence between notes actually silent, or is there grain, haze, or hash?
- Long-term listenability — After an extended session, do you want to keep listening, or has something been quietly fatiguing you?
If you can include relevant system context — room, speakers, preamp — please do. Those variables will help me interpret what the amp itself is contributing.
I'm less interested in rankings than in understanding what Ralph mentioned, namely the [vast] range of sonic signatures class D is capable of. Eigentakt, Hypex, Pascal, Purifi, GaN-based, etc. — all fair game.
Price is no constraint here — I'm interested in the full range of what's out there.
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From what Ive read in the past from owners of both AGD MK3 and Ralph's Atmosphere's the AGD is more Tubey and Ralphs design has more grunt like SS. Earlier in this post Ralph stated that his amps are more "tube-like" although he didnt compare his amps to AGD MK3. So I guess one must decide for themselves. |
@hilde45 - For additional context, my primary system includes: QLN prestige 3 speakers: Known for a somewhat laid back and musical sound signature. Cardas Clear speaker cables and interconnects Mad Scientist Prime USB cable Puritan 156 with the Puritan Ultimate cable |
@bluethinker Great system. Thanks for the context. I wonder if anyone has an opinion about SMSL. Here's a review of a newer model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS6Xp_m6KwE These reviews on YouTube get dismissed. I understand the skepticism. But there are claims made here worth considering – and then if there's reason, they can be dismissed. Jay claims that this is a real competitor to AGD and Orchard Audio. Those brands justify their higher cost through (he says) superior build quality, componentry, and (he says) marginally greater refinement—particularly in high-frequency neutrality and overall sonic polish. For example, he says that AGD Audion is the "most neutral" and "most refined," while Orchard offers similar high-frequency refinement. However, he does say he prefers SMSL's sonic character to Orchard's, finding it more transparent with better high-frequency refinement and less edge. He also prefers its overall build quality. I'm trying to either take this video seriously or eliminate its claims by reasoning. Because given the modest performance gap described, it makes some of us hesitate. After all, we're talking about a gap between a $419 SMSL and amplifiers costing $2,500-$8,000+. It's a puzzle how viewers can weight the descriptors used—"refinement," "neutrality," "build quality"—to determine whether amplifiers 10x or more expensive are actually worth the investment? What threshold of difference in these qualities justifies that price multiplier? The obvious answer is always, "You have to try things for yourself." So I just might. But you can see the bind reports or reviews like this can put people in. While those who need a budget GaN amp can just try this one out, others who might be willing to spend a lot more are left wondering – am I about to be a sucker if I pay 10x more? |
You asked if I had actually compared the Atma-Sphere Class D amps to the AGD. No, I only have Ralph's amps here, but everything I've read about the AGD amps tells me they are equal to, or possibly superior. Maybe I'll get the chance to hear them at some point. Concerning the SMSL question, based on my experience with two different SMSL DAC's, I'd say they definitely have the engineering chops to compete in this arena. |
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