Hi People,
I have been away from audio for over 10 years and its time to jump back in. My last Amplifier was an Audio Note Neiro SE 2A3 .I really liked the sound but Im over desiging high efficeincy speakers. I also have a pair of Old Channel Island Hypex amps and althought they have several sound quality issues, there is something about class D that reminds me of a good tube amp, I know this sounds weird, not sure if others feel this way. I always felt that with improvements, clas D could be world class, are we there yet?
With that said, there are many to chose from, some recommend the Jeff rowland ICE amp, some say that the GAN based amps are amazing, I would love to have some recommendations. I dont really want to go over $5K (3k would be better) but I do want something good. I have been following the adventures of opamp rolling and im also up for that if needed. Would love to hear anyones thoughts.
Thanks
Geoffrey
I have been away from audio for over 10 years and its time to jump back in. My last Amplifier was an Audio Note Neiro SE 2A3 .I really liked the sound but Im over desiging high efficeincy speakers. I also have a pair of Old Channel Island Hypex amps and althought they have several sound quality issues, there is something about class D that reminds me of a good tube amp, I know this sounds weird, not sure if others feel this way. I always felt that with improvements, clas D could be world class, are we there yet?
With that said, there are many to chose from, some recommend the Jeff rowland ICE amp, some say that the GAN based amps are amazing, I would love to have some recommendations. I dont really want to go over $5K (3k would be better) but I do want something good. I have been following the adventures of opamp rolling and im also up for that if needed. Would love to hear anyones thoughts.
Thanks
Geoffrey
If you only need 80-100 clean wpc. I'd suggest a 3255/pffb based class-D amp. I have one in all 3 of my systems and have rotated them around and couldn't be happier. Indeed op-amps contour the sound to your taste.
Something based on the Hypex NCORE modules is a nobrainer. They are cheap and simply just sound good, and have absolutely no noise.
I have also become a big fan on the TPA amps. I started with a cheap TPA3116 and was so impressed that I purchased a mid priced TPA3251 which I love. I have no doubt that the TPA3255 is just as wonderful (TPA3255 wasn't available when I bought my TPS3251).
The TPA amps remind me of my Class A amp (Threshold 400a). Just excellent clean, clear, hi-resolution reproduction. Vastly superior to all the Class A/B amps I have ever listened to (including Adcom and Rotel). I haven't done a blind listening of Class A vs TPA3xxx but from memory it seems like they are very close.
I have also played with the Wondom JAB5 (same as Dayton Audio KABD-4100) ADAU1701 DSP + 2 x TDA7493E amp chips. I don't know if it was the DSP or the TDA7493E amps or just the circuit design but it was a noticeable step down from both the TPA3xxx amps. The JAB5 lacked the clarity and resolution of the TPA3xxx amps.
The TPA amps remind me of my Class A amp (Threshold 400a). Just excellent clean, clear, hi-resolution reproduction. Vastly superior to all the Class A/B amps I have ever listened to (including Adcom and Rotel). I haven't done a blind listening of Class A vs TPA3xxx but from memory it seems like they are very close.
I have also played with the Wondom JAB5 (same as Dayton Audio KABD-4100) ADAU1701 DSP + 2 x TDA7493E amp chips. I don't know if it was the DSP or the TDA7493E amps or just the circuit design but it was a noticeable step down from both the TPA3xxx amps. The JAB5 lacked the clarity and resolution of the TPA3xxx amps.
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I suppose something like 1ET9040BA, with a buffer board that could provide a bit of sound tuning..??
Here's an interesting buffer board (link below), that allows for a lot of options, looks well designed and the PCB looks okay as well....The Vcc/Vee rails could be derived by means of interchangeable regs... the buffer PCB in this thread does not have them (regs), but I suppose you can order a buffer that includes them... or, install regs that you like.... or feed analog signal straight to 1ET9040BA and see if the purist approach works well with these modules (I think the input impedance is below 10K.. but that should be okay with modern sources). Many people liked the direct, purist approach.
Your budget would allow for a dual mono design, or completely separate mono blocks.
Here's an interesting buffer board (link below), that allows for a lot of options, looks well designed and the PCB looks okay as well....The Vcc/Vee rails could be derived by means of interchangeable regs... the buffer PCB in this thread does not have them (regs), but I suppose you can order a buffer that includes them... or, install regs that you like.... or feed analog signal straight to 1ET9040BA and see if the purist approach works well with these modules (I think the input impedance is below 10K.. but that should be okay with modern sources). Many people liked the direct, purist approach.
Your budget would allow for a dual mono design, or completely separate mono blocks.
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Another less expensive option: IcePower have recently updated their offerings with new tech.
The first available product to get these upgrades is the 125ASX2.
Parts Express has them available (even though the data sheet at PE is for the previous generation, the stock has been confirmed to be newer models).
This would be an easy way to get into newer class D technology. Integrated power supply, and stereo. Nearly plug and play.
The first available product to get these upgrades is the 125ASX2.
Parts Express has them available (even though the data sheet at PE is for the previous generation, the stock has been confirmed to be newer models).
This would be an easy way to get into newer class D technology. Integrated power supply, and stereo. Nearly plug and play.
