Amp with a hard,clean and cold sound...

Well,

I agree with Tvad about switch mode supply and conventional linear supply. I believe there's a huge difference having heard both ICEPOWER with switch mode supply and the H2O with the traditional supply. IMHO, The H2Os are much better.

hho -- NuForce is not an ICEPOWER amp, so I guess you haven't heard the NuForce. Also, that's sort of a bold statement saying that the H2O amps are "hugely different" (i.e., much better) than all other ICEPOWER amps that use SMPS power supplies.

Your comments bring one word to mind... "Whatever".

06-14-06: Plato
Tvad, you keep referring to toroidal vs. SMPS power supplies as if this was a significant point of some sort.

Frank, I'm not sure how to take your comment, so let me be precise in why I posted that. It was simply because I found it interesting that both the CI Audio D200 and H2O amplifiers were recommended as filling Grisselham's requirements, and I found it coincidental that they both have toroids.

Having heard several digital amps, and NuForce amps, I prefer those with toroidal power supplies.

I meant nothing more significant than that, and I don't have a clue from a technical perspective how a toroidal power supply is better or worse than a SMPS, or how it affects the sound of an amplifier. I just happen to prefer the sound of the CI Audio digital amps that have toroidal power supplies.

I hope this clears things up. I certainly wasn't looking for a fight.

If it is hard clean sound you want, then I would definitely go with the switch powered class D amps. Like There isn't anything cold about toroidal powered amps, they are just clean and natural.

If you are looking for inexpensive try the Acurus A-200.