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Class-D amps - a different re view

Martin Colloms, the editor of HiFi Critic (ad-free mag from the UK) have recently published the review of several different Class-D amps, together with an in depth technical analysys and measurments.

His conclusions were not favourable, to say at least:

"I regret that not a single model merits unqualified recommendation. Price is not the issue; the poor listening tests speak for themselves. (...)
At present we have to take the prudent view that good sound might be possible from switching amps, but we haven't heard it yet."

BelCanto REF1000 (ICEpower) - score 10.5 pooints
"The ICE power module used has a dependable reputation, and the design is well built and finished as a whole. While I would not suggest that you shouldn't try this amp, on sound quality grounds alone I cannot recommend it for audiophile use."

Channel Islands D100 (UcD) - score 13 pooints
"While I have reservations about a number of aspects of sound quality, and advise personal audition, given the solid lab results (...) the overall performance and the moderate price, these CA Audio monos do make it to the 'worth considering' cathegory."

NuForce 8.5V2 (proprietary technology) - score 9 pooints
"Yes, the price is good for the power output. Yes it's pretty, light, small and runs cool. However, the sound quality simply does not justify recommendation." (on top of that the NuForce amp measured very poorly - Elb)

Pro-Ject Amp Box (Flying Mole) - score 5 points
"I'm sorry to say that Project (...) was a real disappointment in the listening tests, and can't be recommended."

Just as a point of reference, recently reviewed Krell 700CX scored 100 points, CJ Premier 350 - 110 points and ARC Ref 110 - 135 points.

At least someone have had the balls to say it. This is why HiFi Critic is THE mag to subscribe.
elberoth2
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Muralman1, I appreciate that you like what you hear. My point is that to really know if it is right, it is very useful to do on location recordings with professional recording gear (and with the intention to do a good job...).

The master tapes then are very useful in letting you know how a system really sounds, because you were there at the recording. You know what the hall sounds like, where the instruments were placed, how far the mics were from the musicians, that sort of thing. This is assuming that you have good recording technique and the equipment is up to snuff...
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Oh, so that means only you know your system is top dog? I believe if a person of good hearing is familiar with acoustic music, they can tell if a recording is doing a good job representing acoustic music. I know the sound of a guitar, so I know if a recording does it right.

I know string instruments, horns, and pianos as they are all played by my family. I have worked musical theatres for years. We have attended symphonic performances from Carnegie to Sunday at the park.

I know this too, tubes are infamous for their coloring, and oversized helping of second order distortion. People steeped in the land of valves are so righteous they can't accept clear musical feedback when they hear it. I know that for sure, because the only disagreement I have had concerns such folks, good friends of mine by the way.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
People steeped in the land of valves are so righteous...

From my observation, that's not limited to proponents of valve amplification.

If one would take a step away from the politics, I believe one could appreciate Atmasphere's point.

None of us can determine if our systems are accurate without having heard the recording session in progress and then compared it to the playback of the same recording on our systems. The likelihood of that occurring is remote and limited to a fortunate handful of audiophiles.

Certainly, there are many, many systems that recreate the illusion of a live performance...whether it's a tube, solid state or chip amp system.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Tvad, you are walking right into that bravado I just tried to debunk. Any master tape is going to be more accurate to the performance than that which is tortured through processing. There are great recordings and a lot more bad.

Saying that only the chosen few who follow the recording from the performance can ascertain their system is the closest thing is crazy in my view.

I have sat just a few feet away from guitar maestro Leo Kottke. Do you really think I should have recorded that incident to have any recollection of what it sounded like?

My daughter stood just as close as she practiced her very fine viola daily. It is live, why would I need to record that?

tvad
9,467 posts
 
Muralman1, if you had recorded your daughter's performance on a good multitrack reel to reel, and then played it back, you would have an excellent idea of your system's playback accuracy. I recall Von Schweikert did this exact experiment few years back at CES to demonstrate their top-of-the-line VR11 loudspeakers.

I believe this was Atmasphere's point, but perhaps I misinterpreted his comment.

BTW, my system is better than yours.

Nya-nya-nya-nya---na---na---

:)
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