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Dedicated Class D amplifier suggestion

beansprout

beansprout

New Member
I have a desire to experiment with class D, however it seems hard to find mainstream brands that carry it. My idea is to have a class d non-integrated amp so I can experiment with different preamps to see how it affects sound. NAD has a number of class D options, but they are all integrated. Can anyone suggest some brands/models for me to look at? I don't want super high-end equipment...like under the $1,200 or so price range.
Thanks!
 
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beansprout said:
it seems hard to find mainstream brands that carry it.
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I don't know who or what you are referring to as "mainstream brands", but perhaps the largest selection of Class D amps out there are the "pro amps" from Crown. There are a number of fairly recent threads regarding their use in home systems, and I would think that their long-standing reputation precedes them.

There are a number of smaller/less well-known brands out there marketing "audiophile" Class D amps, but they tend to be expensive and still have huge/heavy power supplies (not that, that is a "bad thing", but it kind of defeats the entire purpose of using a Class D amp. Class D first showed up in the pro-audio market, touting compact size, high power output capabilities, high-efficiency and lightweight build (for ease of mobile use).

beansprout said:
I don't want super high-end equipment...like under the $1,200 or so price range.
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$1,200 will get you a LOT of Class D power in the pro-audio market--new or used. On the used side, even just a couple hundred bucks will buy you a lot of Class D power, and many of them have built-in crossovers and DSP.
 
I have a couple of Crown XLS amps and love them. I bought a Classdaudio kit this year and built it into a used chassis for under 300.00 for 250 watt/ch at 4 ohm. Love this amp too.
 
I've owned a couple. Crown XLS amps offer great bang-for-the-buck, but have poor high frequency performance. Upper harmonics have no air.

Familiar with Bruno Putzeys? He is behind Hypex and a range of Ncore class D amps that are found in models from NAD and Marantz and many boutique brands including his own called Mola Mola. In addition to the megabuck stuff, he offers OEM modules that many builders fashion into a box. I purchased a simple unit based upon the NC502mp board for just under $800 that puts out 300 watts/channel into 8 ohms. With the small cabinet (and thus heat sink area) I got, it needs a small fan for extended high power operation, but that's not a problem for me.

Companies like Nord make a wide range of Ncore based models. Their mid range focus is truly wonderful and they don't exhibit the bird-flying-into-a-glass-wall effect at the top like the Crowns nor are bright sounding like ClassD Audio.
 
I'm finding they go best with tube preamps but you will have some different brands available.
 
x2 regarding ClassDAudio.

I listened to a Marantz 7 tube preamp driving PSAudio class D mono blocks.

Very nice indeed (but above the designated price point).
 
Emotiva has taken a cue from the DIY crowd with their new Class D monoblocks.
Basically an Icepower module in an Emotiva box. Clean and simple.

https://emotiva.com/collections/balanced-class-d-monoblock-power-amplifier/products/pa-1

I think one of the reasons you see so many integrated type Class D units is because it allows the manufacturers to bump up the price with extras.
The boards themselves are usually quite reasonable and thus see a lot of DIY action.
I assembled my own Class D amps using TI TPA 3250/1/5 evaluation modules.

Btw, I too like the combo of Class D with a tube preamp.
 
Thanks for all the excellent and thoughtful responses. I want to study each suggestion, but those Emotiva monoblocks look pretty. interesting...
 
mkane said:
IMO your not doing yourself any favors by buying an Emotiva before trying something such as I suggested. Then again, nobody listens to me anyway.
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I pay attention to what you say. Always glad to see your comments.
And on the whole agree with you.
However, not everyone has a closet in which to hide their gear.
Some have to pay attention to esthetics. And some aren't set-up to do or are even remotely interested in DIY.

The Emotiva monoblocks are not that much more expensive than what it would cost to box up the modules yourself.
Check the prices at Ghent.
In fact, I doubt this model will be around long, as Emotiva can't possibly be making any real money off it.
Even a DIYer is gonna have trouble boxing those modules for under $200 each.
And at that price point, it's cigar box time unless you have something better sitting around.
 
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Have always thought the Class D Audio amps looked very nice, but never pulled the trigger. They get some good reviews. They are IRS 2092 based which I think would sound very good properly packaged up with good power supply.

The Emotiva amps also look interesting but they are monoblocks so that factors in to the cost.

I use a TPA 3255 Eval board with Meanwell SMPS, would cost under $200 today (less when I bought it), has plenty of power and well worth the cost of an experiment.

I also agree about not needing a preamp with a Class D amp, passive gain control and a switcher will do it. For some reason the consensus with class D amps is you should pair with a tube preamp to make them sound best, to me tubes defeat the whole purpose of what class D is all about, it's a mix of new technology and 50 year old crap. They sound great as is, why muck it up with tubes.
 
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