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

I have received the provisional BOM for my custom design Class D Power Amp to be produced for me.

The BOM is not far from the cost of a cheaper option on a Quad of Power Amp Tubes I use, and near the cost of a respectable pair of SET Tubes I use.

Costs to be incurred will be any uplift in base costs as forecast in the BOM, the casing ( a friend just started out with a Audio Device Chassis / Case producing business has offered to produce my case), and a Labour cost, not yet supplied, but should be easy to forecast, as this will be the second model produced by the designer/builder. 

Off the shelf, might get a better price, but does not guarantee after-sales support.

In the UK, after 12 months, I would be on my own if having bought retail off the shelf. My audio equipment commission builds are designed/built by Audio EE's who I have cultivated friendships with since the 90's and 00's,  and I still have items produced today from their designs.

If I went down the retail route, I would be on my own with little support and close to £100K+ out of pocket to achieve an end sound I am able to create. 

My PS Audio PWT had very recently developed a fault, which I soon learned I was not supported by PSA. The PSA forum assisted with helping me get through the fault and produce a repair that is working. I haven't got that with Amplification built for me in the 90's, 00's and 20's.  

Reviews. I was curious about GanFet sonic differences until reviews did a comparison. I’ve demoed AGD and liked the Grand Vivace, the Audions were very good.

Other amp topographies also sound different, so I’m not surprised that Class D does also. Since the OP is moving from SET tube warmth, establish tube designers know deeply about tube sound when designing their non-tube amps. I’m assuming that the OP still wants that warmth.

Well I've got a Class D Audio GaN 6.0 coming my way.  $700 lightly used seemed the perfect price to dip my toe into this arena.  I'll post some impressions here in a week or two.  

 

https://classdaudio.com/product/premium-gan-6-0-silver/

I STRONGLY recommend the referenced  latest generation Class D Audio amps  Especially if you want to listen at realistic volume levels. They completely deliver as advertised. 
 

Just got my Teac AP-701 (used and broken in) and I must say that it is a very enjoyable listen; not 'warm', but lots of detail without sounding harsh, and plenty of body in the overall sound. A very musical sounding amp with great .

My only issue with it is lack of depth in the sound stage. I tried another class 'D' amp last year from a more expensive Devialet and had a similar problem, though I didn't like the sound overall as much from that one and it also had about the flattest soundstage I've ever heard; didn't even project from the front end of the speaker to the rear of it. I'm using an Aric Audio tube preamp so the problem isn't with that.

I was going to try to downsize and still get something I was happy with, but it looks like I'll be stuck with my 85 pound MSB S-200 that I am unable to even lift anymore for the forseeable future. Is lack of depth in the stage a class D thing or was it just the two units I happened to try?