[JLM]

Has anyone ever done this (formally or informally)?

We have a number of sources for class D right here at AC.  Wouldn't it be great to compare?

[mfsoa]

It sure would.
The only time I've directly compared was a Cherry JR vs one of the ClassD amp kits.

Any idea where this could take place?

-Mike

[simoon]

The only time I've directly compared was a Cherry JR vs one of the ClassD amp kits.

So don't leave us hanging...

What was your conclusion?

[roymail]

Has anyone ever done this (formally or informally)?
We have a number of sources for class D right here at AC.  Wouldn't it be great to compare?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=76400.360
Check out some of the posts on this page for a few comparisons.  Hope it helps.

[Big Red Machine]

I've had Rowland 201's, Wyreds, Sunfire, and Cherry Jr. 

Cherry Jr. first, closely followed by Wyreds.  How's that?

[Aom-Uom]

Hi,
it all depends on expectations, priorities, needs and so on. I wouldn´t formally call the class D approach high-fidelity anyway (not informally either, for that matter).

[pumpkinman]

I heard my ClassD vs. mfsoa's Cherry and the Cherry had better bass for sure
but I think for $200.00 plus the ClassD is great...............Bill

[mfsoa]

Simoon,
As Bill said above, the Cherry was better but we used my VAC preamp w/ balanced outs vs. A Response Audio preamp (also a fine pre I am sure) into the kit.

We also got hear to a Cherry Plus vs. a Spectron (don't know the version # or degree of upgrades) on Gallo's new 3.5s. The Cherry had a more upfront presentation while Spectron was much slower to respond and was smoothed over which some will certainly prefer.
-Mike

[denjo]

I know Tripath are not strictly class D but are they included?

[roymail]

Unless each amp is plugged into the same upstream gear, any comparison would not be accurate.  However, I'm not doubting that these subjective impressions are insightful.  So many positive things have been written about the Cherry amps, the Wyred amps and the Class D Audio amps, I'm convinced of their abilities and value.  However, Class D Audio does it for much less $$$, and that fact has not been disputed by anything I've read. 

[JLM]

Thanks roymail for the link.  I've not kept up with that thread due to it's length and DIY character.  I barely know enough about electronics to be dangerous, but some vendors (and audiophiles) seem to really stress having a large/clean power supply for everything digital.  So the beefier, heavier amps (like Channel Island Audio or H2O) are currently what's holding my interest.

Don't know what event or local group could pull off a comparison, but I think it'd be of value.

[mfsoa]

Roy makes a good point - It's tough (impossible?) to compare amps with different types of inputs. I know some use RCA and some XLR so right away there goes your comparison!

Agree that the amps w/ the big ol' transformers seem to be the favorites. How many times have I read that "the megawatt Bel Cantos just couldn't drive speaker X like I thought they should"

[Bemopti123]

Agree that the amps w/ the big ol' transformers seem to be the favorites. How many times have I read that "the megawatt Bel Cantos just couldn't drive speaker X like I thought they should"

Agreed.  This is what I think they call digital hollow watts. 

I also agree with JLM, the H2O amps, as well as the Spectrons are into large, traditional PS, which are unsurpassed in current delivery.  No competition from those puny switching PS crowd.