Class D is just Dandy!


I thought it was time we had a pro- Class D thread. There's plenty of threads about comparisons, or detractors of Class D.

That's fine, you don't have to like Class D amps, and if you don't please go participate on one of those threads.

For those of us who are very happy and excited about having musical, capable amps that we can afford to keep on 24/7 and don't require large spaces to put them in, this thread is for you.

Please share your experiences with class D amps!
erik_squires
@scott_w 
I have a pair of Cherry Amp 60V King Marischinos. Prior to, I auditioned Merrill Audio's Taranis; I ordered the Cherries afterwards. I was impressed with both. Both needed about 4 hrs of music before sounding good. Honestly I find all stereo gear need varying amounts of time to break-in. Which model did you get and what are your impressions?
Tim,
    Thanks for your thoughts on my post.  Your observations on switch-mode vs linear power supplies were especially interesting.  I know that, historically, switch-mode supplies were often prone to generating high frequency noise.  With that knowledge in the back of my mind, I always attributed at least some of the fatiguing sound of earlier Class D amps to that aspect of the design.  Call it a hunch.  :)  Perhaps more recent designs have resolved this issue.  It would be enlightening to hear the same amp with both types of power supplies, but that obviously is not logistically very easy.  I think I'll be connecting with the very pleasant & helpful folks at Rogue to ask them if they had ever used a switch-mode power supply in the Sphinx (or its bigger brother, the Pharaoh) during the design process and why they ended up with a linear supply... 
     As far as the tube preamp section goes, I think that its positive affect on the overall sound is pretty much indisputable.  I also have tube rolled with my Sphinx and it has significantly changed the character of the sound.  The JJ 12AU7 stock tubes supplied by Rogue were more than adequate.  However, I finally ended up with a pair of Psvane tubes.  They provide quite a bit more "air", as well as much more holographic "fleshed out" images.  Gotta love it.
     Cheers - Michael
@mdeblanc I bought the basic cherry amp. I just updated my system info today w/pics etc. Had a couple blokes over yesterday for a 2 hour jam, the prior prez of the Boise Audio Club (who also has his eye on PMC) + the bloke who intro'd me to Cherry when he brought his over a month back. Thumbs up all around from them. The rig is singing.
Nelson Pass's statement on Class-D in an interview yesterday. 

"JS:There has been an explosion in high-end Class D amps in recent years. Some companies now market some fairly sophisticated – and expensive  – Class D models. Pass currently manufactures Class A and AB lines only. What are your thoughts on Class D?

NP: Personally I think it’s a miracle that they work at all, but then I think that about my phone, too. I have great respect for people who can make Class D amplifiers sound pretty good, and for delivering low cost, high power, and efficiency. They have earned their place in the industry.

That said, I am not tempted to go in that direction."

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2018/02/21/an-interview-with-hifi-legend-nelson-pass/


Cheers George


Uberwaltz, I would have to agree with you. I think we have the same Nuforce amp and I used to have the same Emotiva amps. The Nuforce sounds more like live music than the Emotiva amps ever did. The Nuforce even sounds more live than my Marsh A200 amp or Rotel Class D amp. That little Nuforce amp is small and unassuming but when turned on, it is amazing.