Which Class D Amp?

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hi all.

I've decided to downsize my system a bit, so am looking to replace my hot, power guzzling Class A amps (Sugden A21a1, BP300B, N. E. W. A60) with a Class D Amp. Unfortunately, I know the square root of nothing about Class D.

Ideally (but not essentially) it will have a phonostage and will be driving 87dB, 6Ω nominal speakers in a very small room. I'd like to get as close to the Class A house sound as I can. Budget £500'ish new or used.

Any polite suggestions gratefully received

 

[karlsushi]

Quad 303 would be my suggestion here. Not Class D, but runs cool and sounds great.

Just add the preamp of your choice.

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

Quad 303 would be my suggestion here. Not Class D, but runs cool and sounds great.

Just add the preamp of your choice.

Great response, in true Wam styley

 

[Linear]

Does it have to be class D?
My Audiolab amp runs pretty cool.

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

Does it have to be class D?
My Audiolab amp runs pretty cool.

I've never owned Class D, so it just seems like an opportune moment.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

Quad 303 would be my suggestion here. Not Class D, but runs cool and sounds great.

Just add the preamp of your choice.

I like 303s

 

[pmcuk]

I've never owned Class D, so it just seems like an opportune moment.

Don't be misled by curiosity....

Stick to linear amps with linear power supplies.

Thousands of people CAN be wrong about Class D. I've never known it to beat a good linear amp of the same kind of quality.

I can appreciate wanting a cool amp in summer, that's a real concern. But some linear amps are cooler than others. I've put off building my First Watt F7 project until Autumn. I use valves and I'm going to build a "Summer" valve amp. No rectifier valve, 2x EL12n output valves and 2x 2P29L input valves which don't get hot at all. Valves can be fairly cool too so I wouldn't rule them out. A EL84 push pull amp is always pretty nice - hard to go wrong with that.

 

[hiesteem]

Arcam SA 10 is a lovely sounding intergrated and plenty powerful 50, watts per channel. Not class D but they call it efficient class ab and at £529 new from weybridge audio.

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

Don't be misled by curiosity....

Stick to linear amps with linear power supplies.

Thousands of people CAN be wrong about Class D. I've never known it to beat a good linear amp of the same kind of quality.

I can appreciate wanting a cool amp in summer, that's a real concern. But some linear amps are cooler than others. I've put off building my First Watt F7 project until Autumn. I use valves and I'm going to build a "Summer" valve amp. No rectifier valve, 2x EL12n output valves and 2x 2P29L input valves which don't get hot at all. Valves can be fairly cool too so I wouldn't rule them out. A EL84 push pull amp is always pretty nice - hard to go wrong with that.

Using valves, I will still have the power consumption issue to contend with.

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I have a Primare CD10i which is a amp, CD and DAB in one box for 350, currently borrowed at a friend's in Henley-on-Thames. 75w class D per, with the remote. Nice thing.

 

[leroyd]

Using valves, I will still have the power consumption issue to contend with.

I share your concerns about power consumption. The last couple of years I have been using Primare pre 60 and A60 power amp, which is class D. I have no desire to change.

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

I have a Primare CD10i which is a amp, CD and DAB in one box for 350, currently borrowed at a friend's in Henley-on-Thames. 75w class D per, with the remote. Nice thing.

How old is it Bob?

 

[pmcuk]

Using valves, I will still have the power consumption issue to contend with.

https://kdindustrial.en.alibaba.com..._12AX7B_vacuum_tube_Original_Miniwatt_N3.html

Power consumption for a pair of EL84 valves and a 12AX7 input is rated at 38W. Double that for stereo and you still come under a 100W light bulb.

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

How old is it Bob?

Not sure, I have had it for about 2 years.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

A EL84 push pull amp is always pretty nice - hard to go wrong with that.

Leak Stereo-20

 

[pmcuk]

Leak Stereo-20

Yes, or anything similar. Leaks a bit spendy these days and the circuit could be simplified. It was built for 125mV input so doesn't need a third stage for a modern 2V input.

 

[rocky raccoon]

I recently swapped out my class A-B monoblocks for some class D PS Audio monoblocks and I have been astounded by the sound quality. I was expecting more power. I was not expecting the separation and transparency or the texture of instruments. So many 'I never heard that!' moments. You have to try Class D - Nad integrated maybe has the features you want ? Budget may be an issue but I'm sure there must be a way.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

Yes, or anything similar. Leaks a bit spendy these days and the circuit could be simplified. It was built for 125mV input so doesn't need a third stage for a modern 2V input.

It needs Rothwell -15dB attenuators on its i/p, and then you're sorted

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

Leak Stereo-20

I thought about one of those but just a bit spendy for an experiment.

 

[Sonofsun]

I have had multiple class D amps, even one with the the eigentakt modules. I found them all very transparent, detailed but lacking warmth and body, not something I could listen to all day. Obviously the sound will depend on your speakers, jumping from A to D is quite a leap.

Just my take, I'm sure many are happy with the D, I prefer AB.