Efficiency done well is always a good thing for sound quality I would say, including at lower volumes. Class D amps are the modern way to introduce some efficiency into a system with out the size bulk and other idiosyncrasies that might go with full range high efficiency speakers
Schubert,
Bel Canto has been doing Class D for a number of years so there is significant variability there I would say with newer models capable of outperforming older in general.
The earlier generation Bel Canto Class Ds ref500k, ref1000, not later m models, were stock older generation Icepower modules in a nice box. Prices reflect that.
ref1000m and ref500m added custom power and input sections to improve performance and match better to tube pre-amps.
ref500m uses a newer gen Icepower than 1000m last I checked so there could be some sonic differences there as reported.
latest BEl Canto products probably use newer IcePower mocules and I would assume implement design enhancements learned over time as well. I would expect top notch performance and that is what I read.
So Bel Canto crossed the threshold of top notch performance out of their Class D amps a few years back already I would say based on my experience with the hard to fault ref1000m however I have no doubt the technology is relative new still (compared to the others) and continues to improve technically in regards to bandwidth, noise level controls, etc., to whatever extent it may matter practically. The sky is the limit with this technology over time I believe and may already have crossed the threshold needed for top notch performance in "high end" systems practically. All signs seem to point to that.
I'm considering going to a compact integrated amp on my second system and the BC Class D based integrateds are on my shortlist there currently along with Wyred and Rogue. I am pretty sure I will go Class D only for an integrated as well at this point. It does not make sense to me to do otherwise at this point. Tube amps and monster sized Class A/B amps are becoming increasingly unnecessary to me as a result of the performance and value proposition with Class D.
Although you live in Minnesota right? You might want to go with an amp that wastes power and throws off some heat especially in winter. Kill two birds with one stone. I'm only half joking. Portable heaters are not expensive though I suppose.
Schubert,
Bel Canto has been doing Class D for a number of years so there is significant variability there I would say with newer models capable of outperforming older in general.
The earlier generation Bel Canto Class Ds ref500k, ref1000, not later m models, were stock older generation Icepower modules in a nice box. Prices reflect that.
ref1000m and ref500m added custom power and input sections to improve performance and match better to tube pre-amps.
ref500m uses a newer gen Icepower than 1000m last I checked so there could be some sonic differences there as reported.
latest BEl Canto products probably use newer IcePower mocules and I would assume implement design enhancements learned over time as well. I would expect top notch performance and that is what I read.
So Bel Canto crossed the threshold of top notch performance out of their Class D amps a few years back already I would say based on my experience with the hard to fault ref1000m however I have no doubt the technology is relative new still (compared to the others) and continues to improve technically in regards to bandwidth, noise level controls, etc., to whatever extent it may matter practically. The sky is the limit with this technology over time I believe and may already have crossed the threshold needed for top notch performance in "high end" systems practically. All signs seem to point to that.
I'm considering going to a compact integrated amp on my second system and the BC Class D based integrateds are on my shortlist there currently along with Wyred and Rogue. I am pretty sure I will go Class D only for an integrated as well at this point. It does not make sense to me to do otherwise at this point. Tube amps and monster sized Class A/B amps are becoming increasingly unnecessary to me as a result of the performance and value proposition with Class D.
Although you live in Minnesota right? You might want to go with an amp that wastes power and throws off some heat especially in winter. Kill two birds with one stone. I'm only half joking. Portable heaters are not expensive though I suppose.