Jeff Rowland

". . . the implementation and sound of Class D I'm not so sure about."

You are absolutely correct Wireless, you can't be sure about something that you have not experienced personally in depth, regardless of what reviewers say, including yours truly. May I recommend that you give your ears greater credence than you credit the anachronistic pronounciations of the 'ancient regime' of audiophilia, or by sophistic arguments? Whether or not there is an ounce of truth in there existing a 'digital' core lurking inside an ASP1000, it does not change the fact that so many of us have found that ICEpower amplifiers, very much like tube and classic SS amplifiers, range in sound from the horrendous to the magnificent.

It is interesting that you mention McIntosh and Krell, as negative examples. . . would you consider condemning all tube amps and all class A solid state amps because the house sound of these 2 manufacturers may not be particularly liked by some?

Get out of the house and audition with an open mind to a Bel Canto Ref 1000 Mk.2, JRDG 312 and 301 monos, latest Spectron monos, and a smattering of other switching amps ranging in price from $500 to $50,000. . . I have no idea if you are going to like any of them, but at least you will be able to form an educated opinion based on your very own experience.

The article in Stereophile is being misunderstood here. I see it as him pointing out what are current classics and can be purchased at good prices and still yeild excellent results. The ommission of newer designs is obvious, they are new, not (yet) classics.

Brian, I agree. I got my answers on the JR "classic" JR products and kind of steered the thread to a class D discussion.

Guido, I think you miss my point - meant to be mildly humorous - about Krell and McIntosh. I was simply acknowledging the fact that even good gear gets bashed regularly. I'm open minded but no local dealers here for Bel Canto and JR. I may buy a used piece to try.

One area I think Class D may work well in is for speakers that need a lot of power with low impendance drops. Those characteristics apply to a lot of high-end speakers including a pair of Aerials I own.

In that case I agree. . . it's going to be a few years before a few current switching designs become 'classic'. . . let's meet again in 10 years around drinks. . . we'll be able to share some accumulated wisdom by then. G.

Wireless, I suspect you may be correct. . . I have herd reports that the JRDG 312 for example works very well with the Ariel 20Ts as they have some of the sonic characteristics of my Vienna mahlers. Other class D amps with low damping factors like the JRDG 301 monos may not. Spectron probably will. . . Bel Canto I am not sure. G. work as well. .. but this last is just my guess.