"I'm currently on the lookout to try a Class A/AB amp that might do both presence (à la Class A) and quickness (à la Class D). I'm thinking, maybe a Hegel H20 or something else."
Infigo
I will need to check out the Rcvtech. Thanks for the review.
My thoughts on my first Class D amp
I recently started 2 threads on this site, Narrowing down choices in a Power Amp and also High Power Amp, Does it Matter at Lower Volumes.
I am grateful for all the input, and thought I would share the results of those posts.
Summary is: I have a Baetis Audio Server, going into a T+A Dac8, into a Mark Levinson ( ML ) 326S into a ML532H power amp. The amp loses a channel on occasion, with strange popping noises sometimes, other times just a single ( not very loud pop ). Time to get this amp fixed or buy another amp.
Well, I am getting the amp fixed, but I bought a Class D RCVTech set of monoblocks.
So, having said all this, WOW. Very happy.
My wife and I sat down last night, and played a variety of music, from the Baetis server. No new music, no streaming, existing tunes we have listened to for years. Nothing but an amp swap.
The RCVTech MPA-1200 monoblocks
1) definitely better stereo separation,
2) definitely way better bass, these monoblocks double down to 700 wpc at 4 ohms, something the ML532H did not do. A world of difference on bass
3) overall better sound, even at low volume. Not bright or fatiguing at any time.
4) more detail, listening to existing tracks we have owned for years, more small background detail,
I wasn't fully sure of what I was buying, but, now, I realize that while I will repair the ML532H, its future use is in question. I am keeping these Monoblock RCVTech MPA-1200 amps in place.
The buying process was easy, the right questions were asked, delivery was fast, for a customized build.
I have the Class A input with 380 wpc at 8 ohms, 700 wpc at 4 ohms, 700 wpc at 2 ohms, THD + N = 0.0009%.
Since this is Class D, not sure how much more money I would have to spend to better this with a conventional build Class A amp? I was considering Pass Labs, who were suggesting XA100.8 or larger. Some day I may actually get to hear these Pass Lab amps, but, there is no urgency, now.
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- 36 posts total
@hilde45 here is my response. The sheer silky smoothness - almost to a pathological degree with my class D amps - is not matched by my Parasound JC1s. The JC1s though are not deficient in this area by any means. The class D monoblocks are lightning fast; the JC1s are pkenty fast but not quite as much. I know what my eats/brain tell me about my perception of the relative differences regarding meat on the bones. It was easy to hear when I switched out the PSAudio for the Parasound. Was I aware of it during months of uninterrupted listening to it? The answer is no. I have listened to 4 different class D amps in my various systems and while none of them sounded the same, they all shared a more agile and skinnier musical presentation with inordinate clarity and smoothness. I can fully understand why some listeners may prefer this sonic presentation. And, I also understand why the high end A/AB presentation is preferred by others. |
I wish I had the opportunity to experience the difference between these amps firsthand. |
- 36 posts total