Which Class D Amplifier? PS Audio, Ghent, Nord, Merrill or other???


I’m looking for a new amp & want Class D.

I’ve seen various brands mentioned, such as PS Audio, Ghent, Nord, Merrel to name a few, but I’ve not heard any of them.

Which company is producing the best sounding Class D?
Which models should I be looking to demo?


Thanks



singintheblues
This is an interesting discussion.  I usually just lurk but I think I have a bit of a unique perspective.  Not only am I long-time audiophile but I am also the "sound guy" and tech for a popular band around my parts.
Class "D" has been used for years in the PA systems for sound reinforcement and the companies that produce that equipment have a lot of experience.  The designs have been refined and, frankly, the good stuff is at least as good or better than the stuff sold to "consumers." No longer should pro quality PA amps be considered the poor cousin to consumer equipment.

Personally, I use a pro Yamaha PA  class "D" amp (around 1000 watts per channel) to drive my electrostats.  It sounds great, is ultra reliable and even looks good. I has a built-in limiter and all kinds of speaker and amp protection. Pro equipment like this is designed to be ultra-reliable. I've used many kinds of different amps in the past - both pro and consumer (I'm a lucky guy since I have access to many) and the Yamaha has been my favorite now for several years.

There are lots of choices that sound great as well made by Peavey, Crown and others.  The newest Peavy IPR2 amps, for example, are incredibly light and powerful.  The IPR2-7500 cranks out over 2000 real RMS Watts both channels driven into four Ohms and weighs in at around 15 pounds. Just be sure to use a 20 Amp ac line to power it.

Just my two cents.
Heard, auditioned, gone!
A or A/AB still the best sound.
D is shallow. Heard many, no life, music sounds veiled, shadowed if this makes sense?

my class AB AND H (sunfire) rock any D stuff.
sorry, my ears are good
Arctikdeth, Perhaps you should audition some other D amps before deciding its lacking.  Have you listened to the Anthem M1's?  

As WSHS31a stated, pros seem to have a wide range of experience in this equipment.

My brother is a long time Audio/Video engineer/producer with a lot of experience with home audio gear.  I had not seen him in several years and he came for a visit last summer.  He wanted to hear my M1's fed into my Bryston Signature Model T mains with three subs place around the room in a 270 degree layout. (subs are Axiom/Bryston).   I have around 6000 watts in total here which includes the 4000 watts at 4 ohms (dedicated dual 240V/15 amp feeds) into the main speakers.  My brother was blown away; he used to work with many national bands who would tour at his college and he said my living room which is around 10,000 cu. feet in size sounded better than the live venues he worked.   He loved the Class D M1's.
I am going with his opinion and experience :)

One thing I should point out: I have no explanation but my Class Damps sound pretty mediocre unless warmed up for about 72 hours. 

If you are auditioning amps cold, or recently moved, and you don't like the sound, that could very well be why.


Do use your own ears.  Don't think that Class D means zero warmup time.


My experience aligns with Eric's.... All class D amps I have had in my system require warm up.... Particularly older generation class D could sound rather dry at power up time.... To sound their best, 24 hours or more were  a must.... More recent amps, such as Rowland M925 and M535 sound pretty good a few minutes after power up, but if you want them to give you their very best, warm up is definitely necessary.


Don't want to warm them up? No problem... Do what I do.... Leave them on at idele 24/7.... Being some 95% to 97% efficient, you will never notice their existance on your monthly AC bill, nor will they ever heat up your house..... Just remember to unplug your entire system when thunderstorms are around.


G.