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2026 best deal in audiophile class D stereo amp?

My new super incredible speakers (canton reference 2.2 dc)require power!  Looking for something that will give them 300-500 watts into 8ohms of quality sound.  I’m a tube guy (SET amps) and hoping for something that’s worth it in the $1k to $2k range.  Lot of deals in the used heavy duty class a or or a/b but,  I’m getting old and it’s just as good and only weight 20lbs.... why not try it??  

this...?

https://classdaudio.com/product/prototype-matched-pair-gan-fet-balanced-mono-block-audio-amplifiers/

 

or this....?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1619617725777365/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A8f7381e0-5d2d-455d-84c1-abd69cf3c076

 

 

argonsteele
rjvissers's avatar
rjvissers
28 posts
 

+1...LAIV Crescendo Chorus

I also just had a pair of the new Laiv Chorus mono amps in my system for a short while.

About $2K brand new for a pair of mono blocks ($994/piece). 120W per channel in Mono block configuration but tremendous power, bass, resolution!

kennyc
2,837 posts
 

+1 agree the OP’s 300-500wpc is a bit overkill for a 89db 4-8ohm. More power costs more, and GREATLY limits options. Buckeye amps meets the power requirements within budget.

Seems most Class D at lower budgets are typically limited to ~100wpc, especially GanFet. 

argonsteele's avatar
argonsteele OP
24 posts
 

Thanks for all the recommendations folks!  This has been very helpful in getting to know the landscape of audiophile class D. 

I know 300+ watts is "overkill" but I also know these speakers can handle that much juice and having been in the SET low watt world so long I'm just trying to embrace the new paradigm and go for the big modern superwatt thing!  Truth is I'm driving them with 20 watt's right now (KR audio Antares) and they sound incredible (but there are definite limits to volume levels). I'm not looking for an "endgame" amp (though these are my endgame speakers), I'm looking to see if I can really give up tubes for Class D in a most-bang-for-the-buck scenario.  

tweak1
3,766 posts
 

Def look for a pair of PS Audio M1200s. FYI Michael Fremer bought the review pair

riccitone
232 posts
 

I’m hoping to get a pair of the Hypex Nilai monos at some point in my journey. With a really nice tube pre of course. These are at about 260w @8ohms, but the 4ohm rating is well over 500w. And stable / unshakable with super low noise way down past that. They’re reviewed not just for their power capability, but for sounding very natural. Comparable to class A in some respects.Alpha Audio has spent a lot of time with the Hypex Nilai offerings in some comparo vids with listening examples:

https://deercreekaudio.com/products/hypex-direct-nilai-500-mono-block-amplifier-kit
 

Apollon Audio has their designs around the Nilai as well: https://apollonaudio.com/product/hypex-nilai-500-m-monoblock-amplifier/

But if you were ok with foregoing that power requirement, those new Crecsendos by Laiv seem really promising, and the GaNfet sound seems to be primo. Hoping those new Class D Audio amps are a complete redesign. Nice to know folks here like them and I’ll have to check those out. Their first amps on the market were presumed no bueno, but I have no direct experience with them. 

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