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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.

 

robeffy
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
6,005 posts
 

@jaymark 

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. 

Your observation that you didn't notice the JC1's character during months of uninterrupted listening — only on comparison — is really helpful.

The consistent agile and skinnier presentation across four different Class D amps is worth taking seriously as a topology-level tendency, even if implementations vary. 

That's exactly what I'm trying to probe: whether the best Class D implementations close that gap or whether it's structural. The AGD Audion gets closer than anything else I've tried, but the question isn't settled for me yet.

celtic66
1,938 posts
 

@hilde45   I'm biased, we all are.  My bias is toward Class A Sugden.  And I've owned an embarrassing plethora of amps of near all kinds.  No Class G though.

Class A simply gets after it and is so fast.  Attack and articulation.  To my ears, makes everything else seem lethargic, just behind.  Smearing.  But, all Class A is not created equally.  Tube Class A is too slow for me.  And the bass wanders a bit.  It's a textured bass with tubes, great timbre, but it wanders.  Good hunting!

jaymark's avatar
jaymark
542 posts
 

@hilde45 I had the PSAudio M1200s in for many months in my reference system and loved them.  They were sitting on top of the Parasound monoblocks so one day I said let's give them a shot.  When I put the JC-1  monoblocks in, it was obvious to me what I was missing.  And, that I coveted what I was missing.  I won't sell my class D amps, however, I accept their strengths and have decided that their weaknesses do not merit me kicking them to the curb.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,711 posts
 

I have been pretty gobsmacked by my Bel Canto monos after being a tube guy most of my adult life. They just do so much right with very few negatives.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
6,005 posts
 

@jaymark  – the fact you won't sell your Class D is precisely why I might  want them in "my amp stable." Too many discussions in forums are Either/Or choices. I am interested in Both/And – but I do not want to add an amp that does not do anything additional and different I enjoy. You get that point of view, so I appreciate hearing your thinking.

@ozzy62 – thanks – putting Bel Canto on the list of things to try.

@celtic66  I've heard great things about Sugden.  

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