Class D recommendations

RDavidson · « **on:** 14 May 2025, 05:22 am »

I’m in need of a cool running summer amp for my small office system. I’ve been doing a bit of research, but there are so many choices and prices run the gamut. I don’t have a very good sense of what will work best for me either. My normal amps are First Watt and Pass Labs. I’m definitely a fan of class A. Something I like about class D is that they sound very consistent at low volumes (as do class A amps). This aspect is a major plus. I don’t tend to listen very loud and none of my speakers are particularly tough to drive.

Neutral to slightly warm sound would be great. I’d like to avoid the crunchy, dry, 2 dimensional, sound that at least used to be typical of class D. I’m not necessarily looking for something that is wholly competitive with my First Watts. I just need something that sounds good without heating up my small, south facing, office more than the summer sun already does. :lol:Let me know what you think. Thank you!

Amps not listed, my system consists of :
Benchmark Preamp
Teac VRDS-701 CD player
Wiim Pro Plus streamer
Chord Qutest DAC
Speakers - Dynaudio Evoke 10s, Omega CAMs, Klipsch RP 600M2s

AllanS · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 May 2025, 01:29 pm »

Budget?
The GanFet amps from Class D Audio got a lot of favorable attention here. https://classdaudio.com/
Maybe NuPrime STA 9X

RDavidson · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 May 2025, 02:10 pm »

I wouldn’t say budget is unlimited, but I don’t want to limit the suggestions based on budget. We all know the used market can be quite forgiving to the pocketbook too.

I’ll take a look at Class D Audio. They weren’t on my radar, which is funny given the very generic name.

Thank you!

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 May 2025, 02:27 pm »

https://orchardaudio.com/

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/starkrimson-25-mono-premium-amplifer-tour.1224830/#post-36729996

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 May 2025, 02:40 pm »

Hi, I have a Marantz PM-KI Ruby integrated amp for sale. It is about 4 years old. It will be a collectors item. It was Ken Ishiwata's (the Grand Master designer for Marantz) last design and build. He voiced it to his personal liking. It is a class D amp with a class A preamp. It has warmth, detail and a huge sound stage. It sounds good at low volumes, is musical and has nice punchy bass. The top end is very smooth and non fatiguing. You can listen to this amp for hours on end. The midrange is lush and musical. It is a beautiful looking amp in Mint condition. New, it sold for $4000.00. I am only letting it go because I want to try a tube integrated amp.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/marantz-pm-ki-ruby-integrated-amplifier-and-sa-ki-ruby-sacd-player-with-dac/

Let me know if you are interested and we can talk about a reasonable price. I have it listed in the Trading Post here.

Larry

RDavidson · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 May 2025, 03:05 pm »

Thanks Larry. A couple of years ago I was actually looking at that Marantz. I’m certain it is an absolute gem! However, I’m really looking for power amp right now and don’t really have a use for an integrated anymore.

I sort of had my mind set on Purifi, but I don’t know. The more I read the more I wonder if ICE Edge would be better or GAN. There are so many choices.

As background, a few years back I had owned the PS Audio S300 and later the M700 monoblocks. I thought they sounded pretty nice. They were paired to the PS Audio Stellar DAC/Preamp. I never did any critical listening with that setup. It was mostly for AV use and was definitely overkill. I always thought it sounded pretty natural though maybe a bit flat. I’m sure the Stellar DAC played a major role here as well.

richidoo · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 May 2025, 11:14 pm »

I greatly prefer my Purifi over my ICE Edge 1200AS2. Although the ICE does sound very confident and calm and is technically bulletproof. Purifi is more refined and can tolerate lower impedance. ICE is rated >3 ohms and it did cut out several times with my speakers' 2.9ohm dips, granted it was playing insanely loud

But Purifi never tripped, nor did...

FWIW I use Purifi in second system now after getting Denafrips Thallos (AB.) Less than half the power but sounds much stronger, more detailed and more refined.

RDavidson · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2025, 12:13 am »

Thanks richidoo! That’s always the tricky thing. One guy says Purifi sounds dry. Another guy says it sounds refined. I appreciate the comparison to ICE. That’s something I can relate to as I’m sure the overall signature is similar to older ICE modules (which I have some experience with). What speakers are you running? That info also provides some great insight.

richidoo · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2025, 01:46 am »

I was using Legacy Audio Focus SE when I bought all three of those amps and each one was big upgrade over the previous. Now I use Paradigm Persona 9H with the denafrips.

oldmustang · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2025, 04:00 pm »

Newbie here to AudioCircle and class D amps. I've never had one in a system so I'm very interested to tag along and learn what I can. Names that seem to come up frequently are Class D Audio, VTV, Orchard, Buckeye, and of course the base modules that some manufacturers/assemblers use -- Hypex, Purifi, ICEpower and one or two more I don't recall right now.

I don't think I'm interested in the very bottom of the market (Fosi, etc) and something like the Atma-Sphere Class D would represent the very top, but only if there were compelling evidence of significant sonic superiority.

I'll not hi-jack the OP's thread any further and I'll just sit back and read and learn.

Steve Z

RDavidson · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2025, 07:48 pm »

Very interesting, especially given the fact that Legacy’s class D amps use ICE Edge modules. The chassis for them is pure eye candy. I’m kind of leaning toward a Buckeye Audio Purifi amp. Does anyone have experience with them, not only their amps, but also with customer support?

DannyBadorine · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 May 2025, 08:49 pm »

Buckeye Amplifiers are 100% the way to go. You can get Hypex or Purifi modules. Even the cheapest Hypex modules outperform 95% of amplifiers out there. I own 3 Buckeye amps and they are solid, high powered and run completely quiet and mostly cool. The no frills design keeps them very affordable. Any other Class D designs will not sound better, but they will cost more. I own both Purifi and Hypex amps. I doubt you will hear a difference since they both perform really well. Ice modules are OK, but these are far better.
I have DIY speakers that go down to 2.6 ohms over some of the range and neither the Hypex or Purifi struggled even into extreme volume. But if budget is a concern then just get the Hypex Nc252 amps and you will be golden.
https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/amplifiers

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 May 2025, 10:07 pm »

Quote from: RDavidson on 14 May 2025, 03:05 pm

Thanks Larry. A couple of years ago I was actually looking at that Marantz. I’m certain it is an absolute gem! However, I’m really looking for power amp right now and don’t really have a use for an integrated anymore.

I sort of had my mind set on Purifi, but I don’t know. The more I read the more I wonder if ICE Edge would be better or GAN. There are so many choices.

As background, a few years back I had owned the PS Audio S300 and later the M700 monoblocks. I thought they sounded pretty nice. They were paired to the PS Audio Stellar DAC/Preamp. I never did any critical listening with that setup. It was mostly for AV use and was definitely overkill. I always thought it sounded pretty natural though maybe a bit flat. I’m sure the Stellar DAC played a major role here as well.

Just FYI, the Ruby has an Input for an external preamp. So you could just use the amp section and an different preamp.

newzooreview · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 May 2025, 11:15 pm »

There's a very high-quality direct comparison of Hypex, ICE, and Purifi amps here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZFAWe1Nxo

With headphones I find it easy to hear the differences. I ended up buying the Hypex Nilai because it handled the decay of piano notes more naturally.

VTV was happy to customize the Nilai with WBT binding posts. VTV carries the full range of Hypex and Purifi amps and is US-based and easy to work with. Buckeye looks good as well.

RDavidson · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 May 2025, 11:35 pm »

Thanks DannyB! That’s very encouraging news. From my understanding, Buckeye is indeed legit and I like that everything they make is user-serviceable (no solder skills needed!). That’s pretty great! There may be some advantages to more expensive options (nicer chassis, better power supply, etc etc) but I kinda like the no-frills modules in a box approach here. If I ever replace it, then it’ll just become a garage amp or subwoofer amp or something later, and I won’t feel bad about having another piece of gear that’s “too nice” for the job. How do you feel about NCore vs Purifi? I’ve read that Purifi is a bit more pleasant and less “dry.” Are there other worthwhile qualities? Better imaging maybe? It seems like I could be just as well with a lower cost Ncore unit, but the Purifi options are still reasonably priced and more state-of-the-art.

Thanks again I.Greyhound Fan. Man, if you had caught me a couple of years ago I probably would’ve taken that Ruby off your hands! I understand it has amp-in functionality (which is an oddity these days), but I really only want strictly an amp. In your case, it’d be like me buying an NSX, but only using the motor and missing out on the advantages of the chassis. Know what I mean?

Thanks for the info newzooreview. I’ll definitely check that out. I’m leaning toward Purifi, but I know that newer doesn’t always mean “better” in all scenarios. Ncore is less expensive and, from my understanding, less complex too. I’m sure it is a matter of pros/cons more-so than one technology being better than the other in real world use.

jac1920 · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 May 2025, 01:17 am »

I realize you are asking about class D amps and some very good examples have been recommended above. I am curious why you haven't considered the Benchmark AHB2 amp to pair with your Benchmark pre amp. Dead set on class D? Budget constraints? I would at least try to audition one if I could.

RDavidson · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 May 2025, 02:16 am »

I have considered the Benchmark amp and I’m sure it’s great, but I like the efficiency of class D especially for summer use. I also really like the consistency of class D amps regardless of output. Most of the time, I’m probably using 1 watt (likely less than 1 watt). My office is not big, so I listen relatively near field and my speakers are easy loads. Even the Dynaudios aren’t difficult.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 May 2025, 03:06 pm »

I would t overlook the GaN FET amps by Class D Audio. Very good pricing for a great sounding design. Try to audition if you can.
You’re right, lots of options out there. Class D has come a long way.
Good luck on your search.

Phil A · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 May 2025, 08:39 pm »

I've owned several Class D amps (and before that Class A/AB amps and the last one I owned was discontinued in the last year or so and I believe the last couple I owned were in the $10k retail list price range when they were new). I drive Thiel 3.7s which are not the easiest load in the world. I started with a IcePower 1200AS stereo amplifier which I broke in using a secondary system as I was not sure about how it would perform in the main system. I was in shock after listening in the secondary system how much better it was even right out of the box vs. a well know brand Class A/AB amp and in bigger shock when it drove my 3.7s easier and was better sounding in my main system. I then went to a modded dual mono 1200AS which was even better. I owned another Class D as well and I did bring the first Class D I owned over to someone elses home and I thought it sounded better vs. what they were using (as did another person in the room as there was 3 of us in total).

I currently have in the secondary system noted above the Premium Audio Class D amplifier (driving a pair of Selah SA2s). In the main system, I currently use a VTV Purifi amplifier (1ET-7040SA) with a vacuum tube input buffer. In the context of these systerms, what I currently use sounds better than what I used in the past. So like anything else, I'd encourage anyone to listen for themselves and decide what they like or don't like. Obviously, everyone may not have identical tastes and not identical rooms or associated components.

cheesey · « **Reply #19 on:** **Yesterday** at 12:07 pm »

I would stay away from the GaN amps as nearly all but Orchard have load dependent frequency response. The current state of the art is Purifi with Hypex a close second. Both have inaudible distortion, load invariant frequency response, run cool and will drive just about any load. Prices are very reasonable- I paid around $2400 for a set of 9040 Purifi monoblocks with 900W into 2 ohms, auto on/off feature, selectable gain, etc. No brainer.