Dedicated Class D amplifier suggestion

[GChief]

Add in the complications of new unused stock, half used old stock, EBay sellers who run tube testers, and country of origin, etc. It's a crapshoot.

All I run is tubes, I buy from eBay a lot (mostly offshore) and have yet to have a problem. You just need to do your due diligence! I also have a local surplus vendor my company uses, I get MilSpec stuff from them.

 

[AvFan]

Class D amps really intrigue me so I have been reading way too many posts on various forums plus as many reviews as possible over the last couple of months so I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a D-Sonic M3a-800s stereo amp. 400/800 watts into 8/4 ohms seems ridiculous for my needs but I contacted my speaker designer/builder, Rick Craig of Selah Audio, and he easily endorsed D-Sonic after using them at the recent Lone Star AudioFest. Synergy is a funny and oftentimes elusive quality but there is no way to know unless I give a D-Sonic a home test. I have nothing really to complain about my Parasound A23 I'm just hoping to find that next step up in audio quality with a D-Sonic amp. I'll see if the amp's abundant power and refinement (based upon Rick Craig's recommendation and the reviews I have read) translate to my system and listening space. The worst case scenario is I send it back within the 30-day trial period then incur shipping X2 and a 10% restocking fee. But I gotta know...

 

[mkane]

You may be mildly surprised. I'll run Class D all summer.

 

[musichal]

Tubes, aka vacuum electron valves, are simply electrostatic electron gates. Simple physics, no magic, tho the results may seem magical.

Not magic!?

Heresy! Stone him!

For me, the epitome of tube magic is an Audio Research SP-8. Makes any power amp sound better. Stop by anytime, Pio, for your stoning. Which, coincidentally, also makes any power amp sound better.

I'm a TPA3116 bottom feeder in Class D-Land.

 

[AvFan]

You may be mildly surprised. I'll run Class D all summer.

I imagine your 2 Citation IIs put out some welcome heat in the winter. My A23 is Class A/B and just gets warm but I want to build a more enclosed cabinet for my gear so besides hoping the D-Sonic sounds better (maybe more than mildly) than the Parasound it should be OK in a cabinet.

What class D amp(s) are you using?

 

[mkane]

I've got 4 but there just breadboard modules. Texas Instrument EVM, D Class Audio and 2 Sure Modules. Ranging from 75W to 400. There a bit on the dry side next to the tube amps but no heat and my wife noticed the decrease in power consumption on the utility bill.

 

[imral3]

New to class D (and audio in general) - just got these little babies:

To these less experienced ears they sound fantasmagorical!!

 

[AvFan]

I ordered a M3a-800s (800 watts for my 4 ohm speakers) from D-Sonic yesterday and it will be delivered early next week. D-Sonic owner Dennis Deacon noted he doesn't think his amps really have a break-in period though some of his customers do (and noted by others in various forums). Common observations are that these Pascal units have excellent bass and mid-range while there is some debate regarding higher frequencies. I guess I'll find out within the 30-day trial period. I like the looks too.

There is no manual available on the D-Sonic site but I believe the amp typically is left on all the time but draws a nominal amount of power when not in use. I'm curious when I turn on my phono preamp or other sources if I get any "pops". Lots of listening ahead!

 

[imral3]

I ordered a M3a-800s (800 watts for my 4 ohm speakers) from D-Sonic yesterday and it will be delivered early next week. D-Sonic owner Dennis Deacon noted he doesn't think his amps really have a break-in period though some of his customers do (and noted by others in various forums). Common observations are that these Pascal units have excellent bass and mid-range while there is some debate regarding higher frequencies. I guess I'll find out within the 30-day trial period. I like the looks too.

There is no manual available on the D-Sonic site but I believe the amp typically is left on all the time but draws a nominal amount of power when not in use. I'm curious when I turn on my phono preamp or other sources if I get any "pops". Lots of listening ahead!

View attachment 1533450

Fantastic! Keep us posted!

 

[fredgarvin]

I ordered a M3a-800s (800 watts for my 4 ohm speakers) from D-Sonic yesterday and it will be delivered early next week. D-Sonic owner Dennis Deacon noted he doesn't think his amps really have a break-in period though some of his customers do (and noted by others in various forums). Common observations are that these Pascal units have excellent bass and mid-range while there is some debate regarding higher frequencies. I guess I'll find out within the 30-day trial period. I like the looks too.

There is no manual available on the D-Sonic site but I believe the amp typically is left on all the time but draws a nominal amount of power when not in use. I'm curious when I turn on my phono preamp or other sources if I get any "pops". Lots of listening ahead!

View attachment 1533450

Parasound has released 2 new models utilizing the Pascal modules.

https://restechtoday.com/parasound-newclassic-200/

 

[mkane]

I get off pops no matter what I try.