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Class D = Trash?

So, I'm on my second class D amp. The first one, a Teac AI-301DA which claimed to use an ICE module, was unlistenable trash. I burned it in for a few weeks, it just couldn't perform, so I sent it back. Following that, I tried the new Emotiva A-300 (class A/B). It was significantly better, but lacking in too many ways for my tastes. So I changed gears, got an 845 SET from China -- and it was an immediate and massive improvement.

So, before I went further down the SET road, I wanted to try a better class D product using a modern class D module. I settled on the D-Sonic M3-800S with the Pascal module and custom input stage. I read from reviews that these things like to have big cables, so I picked up an eBay 8 gauge power cable (Maze Audio, el-cheapo Oyaide copy plugs, braided 4-wire cable) to go along with it.

Mid-range GONE.
Soundstage depth CRUSHED.
Euphonics DISAPPEARED.

Yes, resolution went up. Driver control went up, allowing me to play compressed rock/pop and orchestra with the speakers being able to render it all. But enjoyment in the sound is basically gone. Using my best power cable (LessLoss Original) improved performance, but didn't fundamentally change the amp's nature. I ran back to my headphones (Focal Utopias) to detox my ear canals.

So, how long does a class D need to burn-in? I want to give it a fair shake before writing the technology off forever. 
madavid0
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
838 posts
 
@guidocorona that was beautiful!
seanheis1
359 posts
 
I can definitely detect that element of...whatever it is. Dryness? Poor blending of upper- mids into highs? Lack of weight? There's a SOMETHING to the sound that hints to listener fatigue.
I experienced the same with Ice Power amps. Dry, cold, clinical...lacking depth and instruments not decaying properly. I purchased the amp used so it wasn't a break in issue...I started a thread about it and it appears that the switching frequencies aren't currently high enough to avoid degrading the signal. If it was a simple break in issue, they would be broken in at the factory. 

Don't give up on Class D though. When the switching frequencies improve, they will become the solid state amps of choice. Some folks don't hear what we hear and they are fortunate to enjoy these small and efficient power houses. More power to them. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
Again, one experience with ICE modules cannot possibly speak for all Class D amps, just the one amp you heard. Goodness folks. I heard a poor tube dac once so they all must have a ways to go.....crazy thought process correct? 
seanheis1
359 posts
 
Again, one experience with ICE modules cannot possibly speak for all Class D amps, just the one amp you heard. Goodness folks. I heard a poor tube dac once so they all must have a ways to go.....crazy thought process correct?
These issues with amps that use Ice modules are well documented on this forum. Amps using NCore, Pascal, and Abletec are generally viewed as favorable. NCore is often times described as similar to Ice, but improved. Plenty of folks don't care for NCore though...None of these Class D amps are as universally agreed upon compared to Class AB offerings from McIntosh or Mark Levinson.  
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Kvetching does not equal documentation.

The latest generation of ICEPower (AS or ASP) are wonderful, and to my ears indistinguishable from good A/AB amps.

Any attempt to use them as examples of Class D inferiority is highly suspect to me, based on experience.

I'd be happy to evaluate vs. nCore or Pascal when some one provides me the funds... :)

Best,

E
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