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Post by John on Feb 17, 2022 4:24:17 GMT
I have not heard this but I have heard the similar spec SMSL SA400 which I liked. No dry mids and good treble. I would imagine this is similar
A good match with the Gustard
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Post by jandl100 on Feb 17, 2022 4:30:55 GMT
Ooo.
This is a scary thread to revisit!
My views on class D have changed drastically.
From the bee's knees and a 'destination amp' to suspicion and rejection!
There are so many different ones to try, of course, and new class D tech appearing.
So having a generalised "view" on a technology genre which has such a broad landscape is ridiculous.
Nonetheless I now find myself sceptical about class D amplification. Looking back over the years, and with some recent examples, musically what I have heard I no longer find convincing.
Class A solid state doesn't appeal musically to me either, for some similar reasons to my current views on class D; it has a kind of micro-dynamic flatness, it kind of just goes on and on without really doing anything; the ebb and flow of the music has been significantly extracted, it's boring.
And class D now has an overall presentational falseness that I find irritating. The word plastic keeps coming to mind, an ersatz kind of facsimile of music, it doesn't sound like the real thing to me any more.
So atm I'm really just left with class AB solid state. Which is fine as I am loving my Ayre amp.
But my views will probably change again sometime soon! We all have our own personal journeys, which can feel more like a roller-coaster which can sometimes jump the rails onto an entirely new route than a smoothly continuous highway!
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Post by karatestu on Feb 17, 2022 5:41:18 GMT
I have not had a class D amp in my system and won't be. So Jerry's view above is very welcome as I won't feel like I'm missing out  |
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Post by John on Feb 17, 2022 5:57:16 GMT
I must admit Jerry when I am ready to move on I will get a A/B power amplifier with balanced inputs
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Post by MartinT on Feb 17, 2022 6:22:25 GMT
We all have our own personal journeys, which can feel more like a roller-coaster which can sometimes jump the rails onto an entirely new route than a smoothly continuous highway! Oh yes, I totally agree. Class AB power amp here and it's staying put. The 'rail jump' for me was dumping LPs and CDs and going fully digital streaming. I haven't looked back. |
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alp
Rank: Trio
Posts: 167
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Post by alp on Feb 17, 2022 20:06:25 GMT
The SMSL SA400 is another option. It has a very good (non-ASR) review on SoundNews who got me into the D90 and Gustard x26 PRO, but it does get very hot (60C+).
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Post by John on Feb 17, 2022 21:40:31 GMT
It's biggest problem is the fan noise once run in not bad and not able to hear playing music
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 18, 2022 10:31:30 GMT
Still love the sound from my TAD M2500 "Class D circuitry in a completely balanced structure" M2500Not aware of any fans. Box gets warm but not hot |
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Post by wannarock2 on Mar 22, 2022 23:29:41 GMT
Audiophonics HPA-S400ET - Class D (Purifi)
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Post by MartinT on Mar 23, 2022 6:18:27 GMT
Amir, oh dear. Just tell me: does he even listen to it at all?
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Post by realysm42 on Mar 23, 2022 8:30:38 GMT
Amir, oh dear. Just tell me: does he even listen to it at all? Why bother, when the measurements tell you all you need to know? |
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Post by wannarock2 on Mar 23, 2022 20:30:18 GMT
Amir, oh dear. Just tell me: does he even listen to it at all? that is an interesting query with the amount of kit he cycles, it’s doubtful however, as i have worked my way through stereo equipment, the better stuff tested better but hey, it’s all relative. ps - Stereophile Magazine tested stuff back when i was 12 |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 23, 2022 20:58:29 GMT
Don't get me wrong - I'm all for testing. I'm an engineer by training, after all.
There is nothing wrong in trying to correlate what we hear with what we measure. However, the key is to put what we hear FIRST (after all, enjoyment of music is an emotional experience). That's the all-important baseline. Now try and correlate the measurements with the listening. Which we can't at present, as we don't know exactly what to measure. Some things, like ultra-high noise and IMD, give clues, but that's about all. So we develop empirical evidence for things that help.
What I have no respect for is thinking that measurements define the sound quality goodness of a component. That is proven time and time again to be wrong. Take all modern DACs - they measure within a gnat of each other ergo they must all sound the same. But they don't. ASR's judgement of component performance is deeply flawed and, in my opinion, worthless.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 23, 2022 21:01:14 GMT
The results are based on the type of tests too
Sooner or later there will be tests for other criteria that might just say something different
Pseudo Science
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Post by wannarock2 on Mar 23, 2022 21:08:37 GMT
Noise level Distortion Dynamic range Jitter Crosstalk Linearity Multitone All this matters, how is it pseudoscience? Seriously Martin. You should do the 14 day trial on this one. Buy it, listen to it. Don’t like it, return it within 14 days (see below). Just a guess, but you may find the experience similar to that of going from your previous LKS DAC to the Gustard Pro DAC. (plus the boost of xlr connections!)  Audiophonics Article 11: Right of withdrawal - The consumer has a period of 14 working days to return, at his expense, the products not suitable to him. maybe i’ve missed in the past you discussed a new Class D Purifi or Ncore on your system  |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 23, 2022 22:09:01 GMT
For some reason on ASR he seems to listen to many of the headphones he reviews - no idea why they get special treatment ...
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Post by MartinT on Mar 23, 2022 22:12:52 GMT
I did have Class D amps in my system, more than once. They all lack the sheer welly and dynamic clout of the Belles class AB circuit backed up with a serious power supply.
Sorry, but it'll take more than that Audiophonics to topple the mighty Belles and I'm not going to look any further as I'm done with power amps.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 24, 2022 8:04:19 GMT
I take ASR with a pinch of salt, and like Martin, don't share all his beliefs. lt's almost as if Amir is not willing to trust his ears,as they can't be measured.
Also the amount of equipment he reviews, it's hard for him to keep up. Sadly, ASR is the News Of The World style of journalism doesn't sit well with myself. lt's a shame, as if Amir could have regular listening panel, it would nearly be the perfect online site.
On the flip side,l do read the tests results as a guide,indeed l purchased my SMSL M400 DAC and my Nord Acoustic 1ET400A based on noise figures and tech specs,l then looked for some real world reviews.
The current crop of Class D amps are great VFM, but l understand your view Martin, as it's not as if Hypex have invented a new design, and indeed, most Hypex based boards do sound similar, and thats why l went with Nord, as you have the choice different op amps.
lt has to be said,that although Hypex class D may not have the sheer grunt of AB design,but it offers a new level of Hi Fi amp that could only be dream of, at a price level.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 24, 2022 8:35:30 GMT
lt has to be said,that although Hypex class D may not have the sheer grunt of AB design,but it offers a new level of Hi Fi amp that could only be dream of, at a price level. I completely agree, Damien, and I thought the KJF Audio SA-01 (using Ncore) I had on evaluation sounded as good as any Class D I've heard. As for value for money, it ranks very highly priced at only £540. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 24, 2022 9:08:01 GMT
Noise level Distortion Dynamic range Jitter Crosstalk Linearity Multitone All this matters, how is it pseudoscience? Seriously Martin. You should do the 14 day trial on this one. Buy it, listen to it. Don’t like it, return it within 14 days (see below). Just a guess, but you may find the experience similar to that of going from your previous LKS DAC to the Gustard Pro DAC. (plus the boost of xlr connections!) Audiophonics Article 11: Right of withdrawal - The consumer has a period of 14 working days to return, at his expense, the products not suitable to him. maybe i’ve missed in the past you discussed a new Class D Purifi or Ncore on your system Incomplete science. |
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📶NAS > Gustard x26p DAC > Benchmark LA4 Pre-Amp > NAD M22-V2 Amplifier > Revel F228Be Speakers
