How do Digital Amps Mfrs. compare in sound?

Audio research, Jeff Roland, Nuforce, Spectron, Channel Island, Kharma, Bel Canto, Pioneer, Rotel, Panasonic, Acoustic Reality, Flying mole, Digital Amp Company, Sonic Impact, Peachtree and Carver are all companies that quickly come to mind that now make a type of Class D amp.

Another benefit is Class D dissipates much less heat.

I use the Bel Canto 300 integrated amp (primarily with Sonus Faber Cremonas) and would observe that the amp is clean, powerful, and otherwise unremarkable. I have observed no real issues with the treble, but I've definitely heard more "texture" out of these speakers as well as better imaging. However, the better performance came in a different room, so I can hardly pin these issues on the amp with any confidence. If you need high output at reasonable cost and your speakers do not present an exotic load, I suspect that switching amps are a good solution. If you have more funds on hand, don't need the power, or have quirky speakers - proceed with some caution.

Marty

Marty, the good news is that John Stronczer's designs have evolved quite dramatically from the BC 300. . . you'd be amazed. . . I definitely was so, last night, with the $6K BC R1000 Mk.2 having broken the 400 hour mark.

Stanwal, have you considered quoting a little less 'old trombones', and relying on your ears a little more? If after that you still do not enjoy some of the top flight switching amps we are discussing on some of these threads, you will at least be speaking out of personal experience, rather than nostalging over the anachronistic pontifications of some old anchoret whose better times have long come and gone.

I know 2 years 40 years whats the difference,come to think of it that's just it we do use our ears.

Stanwal said this and much, much more:
""Not a single master of analogue power amplifier engineering has turned to Class D. Shouldn't one know this, and, ask 'Why?’
By their nature, electronic engineers are usually eager to "migrate into the future technology"."

You spout these things as if you have some special knowledge, or, perhaps, thinking that if you say them with a deep enough voice and authoritative enough delivery then people will believe you. Actually you weaken your overall arguement with such drivel. Kijanki mentioned Rowland and there are others.

If anything, my guess is that a very large proportion of designers stick with what they know and avoid migration into future technology. Othewise, how can you explain the overflow of SET tube amps on the market today? That's only my assumption, but I think that resistance to change is highly prevelant, including among posters here at A'gon.

Dave