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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
argonsteele's avatar
argonsteele OP
27 posts
 

@lak yeah they are still the top of my list, I've been talking to them.  Leaning towards them because they are the local LA boys and price for power seems among the best deals.  And GaNfet is the latest and greatest, right?  Not sure yet if I will go monoblocks or just stereo.  

bluorion
523 posts
 

Check out the Bel Canto REF501s stereo amp (200 wpc at 8ohms, 400wpc at 4 ohms). Excellent amp, dead quiet and weighs 12 pounds. Price is $2495 but I got one under $2k as a demo unit online. Good luck!

kennyc
2,860 posts
 

I’m a tube guy (SET amps) ….. $1k to $2k range. 

If substituting for SET amps, sonics will have to be above the lowest cost Class D amps reaching for the level of Atma-Sphere Class D (established excellent tube Amp Designer, and gracious Agon contributor) or FirstWatt (amp designer legend Nelson Pass)- both above the OP’s budget.

So yes, there may be a satisfying Class D to replace SET, but at 1-2k budget it’s doubtful you’ll get there.

 

campoly's avatar
campoly
136 posts
 

@lardawg +1

The M700s make my Maggies sing. I’m delighted with the super quiet black background and tons of details. I can no longer chuck around 50# amps. The M700s are manageable weight wise and seem to be very well built. Around $2k used at The Music Room.

@gents, I know exactly what you mean.

deer_creek_audio's avatar
deer_creek_audio
108 posts
 

How do the Hypex Nilai 500 amplifiers compare to other high performance amplifiers?

Within the category of high current capacity solid state amplifiers, it's generally true that the more expensive you go the better the audio experience, however, there are diminishing returns as you hit the extreme edge of price.
We have facilitated testing and listening to a variety of amplifiers, mostly Class AB. We have discovered that most amplifiers today sound pretty darn good. In our last amplifier shootout at Deer Creek Audio, we compared 7 amplifiers including the Nilai 500. The Nilai 500 measured better than all, however it came out second in the listening comparison to a $32,000 Ayre. What set the top two apart from the more common amplifiers was a smooth neutrality with superior imaging and layering.
Having said all that, we think going with the Nilai 500 will bring you happily into the ultra-high end amplifier world.

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