Looking For Class D Candidates

[bonzo75]

I own the LAiV GaNM monoblocs and I must say that I'm impressed with their performance so far. I'm using them presently with my 98db single driver speakers (I know... Overkill with power), however they are dead quiet, micro and macro dynamic and sonically are terrific. I see no downside to these GaNM's compared to my Accuphase A48 class-A amplifier. They are compact, well-built and the support from LAiV is second to none. The real test will be when I soon get my Final Model M12+ electrostatic speakers which are notably less efficient and present a more considerable load. However I actually believe they will work very well with the GaNM's.

The Class D has put the cat to sleep. Get some valves, it will sit on them warm and comfy

 

[DasguteOhr]

I own the LAiV GaNM monoblocs and I must say that I'm impressed with their performance so far. I'm using them presently with my 98db single driver speakers (I know... Overkill with power), however they are dead quiet, micro and macro dynamic and sonically are terrific. I see no downside to these GaNM's compared to my Accuphase A48 class-A amplifier. They are compact, well-built and the support from LAiV is second to none. The real test will be when I soon get my Final Model M12+ electrostatic speakers which are notably less efficient and present a more considerable load. However I actually believe they will work very well with the GaNM's.

Wow.. a accuphase A48/50 are seriously one of best musical transistor amps i know then must play laiv really good.

 

[LiquidSound]

The Class D has put the cat to sleep. Get some valves, it will sit on them warm and comfy

I have a BorderPatrol S20 parallel 300-B SET EXD amplifier and the Control tube preamp EXD. Beautiful for my 98db single driver speakers but not quite enough power for my soon to receive Final M12+ electrostatics.

 

[Atmasphere]

I own the LAiV GaNM monoblocs and I must say that I'm impressed with their performance so far. I'm using them presently with my 98db single driver speakers (I know... Overkill with power), however they are dead quiet, micro and macro dynamic and sonically are terrific. I

My speakers are 98dB as well. That first Watt is so important!! I think that message has failed to hit home- that a class D can have an excellent first Watt, as good or better than anything out there.

 

[LiquidSound]

My speakers are 98dB as well. That first Watt is so important!! I think that message has failed to hit home- that a class D can have an excellent first Watt, as good or better than anything out there.

Yes... Class-D has really come a long way, and they are now so much more refined. The LAiV GaNM's are quite a well thought out and designed product much like all of their products. I am not familiar with the Atma-Sphere class-D amplifiers, but I will have a look.

 

[LiquidSound]

My speakers are 98dB as well. That first Watt is so important!! I think that message has failed to hit home- that a class D can have an excellent first Watt, as good or better than anything out there.

I took a quick look at the Atma-Sphere Class-D mono's. They look really nice and have similar specs as the LAiV GaNM's. It would certainly be interesting to see a shootout between these two !

 

[mtemur]

I think anyone interested in a Class D amplifier should start with Ralph's Atma-Sphere Class D amps. Any decades-long tube amplifier manufacturer who risks torpedoing his OTL tube amplifier business by railing against SET amplifiers specifically and to some extent by implication tube amplifiers in general to promote his Class D amps must be onto something.

Switching from an OTL tube design to Class D is a radical move. It could also be interpreted as a sign that they were unable to produce a truly good-sounding amplifier with their OTL designs in the first place, despite decades of effort. I’m not saying Atma-Sphere amps sound bad—but in this hobby, building mediocre or poor-sounding amps for decades is not uncommon.

 

[Mgrif104]

Switching from an OTL tube design to Class D is a radical move. It could also be interpreted as a sign that they were unable to produce a truly good-sounding amplifier with their OTL designs in the first place, despite decades of effort. I’m not saying Atma-Sphere amps sound bad—but in this hobby, building mediocre or poor-sounding amps for decades is not uncommon.

Just wow. This is a remarkable and fundamentally flawed interpretation, unsupported by both Atma-Sphere’s fine reputation and market success. There could be another answer - and you’ll find it in this very thread.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

I’m not saying Atma-Sphere amps sound bad—but in this hobby, building mediocre or poor-sounding amps for decades is not uncommon

...you kinda are saying that though, aren't you?

 

[Ron Resnick]

It could also be interpreted as a sign that they were unable to produce a truly good-sounding amplifier with their OTL designs in the first place, despite decades of effort.

Some audiophiles consider Ralph's OTL designs to be among the best-sounding tube amplifiers of all time. They have been used almost standardly on Sound Lab and Classic Audio loudspeakers for decades.

 

[Kingrex]

Can we have a thumbs down, dislike to quick respond to a post.

 

[tima]

Switching from an OTL tube design to Class D is a radical move. It could also be interpreted as a sign that they were unable to produce a truly good-sounding amplifier with their OTL designs in the first place, despite decades of effort. I’m not saying Atma-Sphere amps sound bad—but in this hobby, building mediocre or poor-sounding amps for decades is not uncommon.

I don't believe that Atma-Sphere 'switched' from OTLs to Class Ds. They expanded their product line and continue to sell all the OTL amps (and preamps) they've sold for decades. Don't forget that Ralph, with all his valuable contributions, is selling his product.

Imo the key to good sound from Atma-Sphere OTL amps is using them with an efficient speaker. I don't know what is considered the exact difference between mid-efficient and high-efficient but I'll guess the latter is around 8 Ohm, 95dB and above.

Those numbers are not the only factor. I enjoyed the A-S M-60 Mk.III on a pair of Audio Physic Avanti Centuries even at 4 Ohms and 89dB. I compared them to a pair of C-J Premier 140 amps -- on paper a much better match to the Avantis. The M-60s held their own with energy, clarity and tonal depth -- not too cool, not too warm. That was back in 2006. I'm not challenging your broadly stated opinion although I'd like to know what your experience is with speakers and A-S amps. Yes, they do have their own unique sound and perhaps are not for everyone, but using them with efficient speakers takes them beyond the mediocre or poor sounding categories.

 

[jeff1225]

I don't believe that Atma-Sphere 'switched' from OTLs to Class Ds. They expanded their product line and continue to sell all the OTL amps (and preamps) they've sold for decades. Don't forget that Ralph, with all his valuable contributions, is selling his product.

Imo the key to good sound from Atma-Sphere OTL amps is using them with an efficient speaker. I don't know what is considered the exact difference between mid-efficient and high-efficient but I'll guess the latter is around 8 Ohm, 95dB and above.

Those numbers are not the only factor. I enjoyed the A-S M-60 Mk.III on a pair of Audio Physic Avanti Centuries even at 4 Ohms and 89dB. I compared them to a pair of C-J Premier 140 amps -- on paper a much better match to the Avantis. The M-60s held their own with energy, clarity and tonal depth -- not too cool, not too warm. That was back in 2006. I'm not challenging your broadly stated opinion although I'd like to know what your experience is with speakers and A-S amps. Yes, they do have their own unique sound and perhaps are not for everyone, but using them with efficient speakers takes them beyond the mediocre or poor sounding categories.

The OTL's absolutely like to see 8 ohms. Anti-cable makes a nice autoformer that doubles a speakers impedance, I've seen many reports of success using these with speakers with 4 ohms or lower impedance.

Autoformers Reviews

ANTICABLES: read autoformer reviews redefined for superior performance, optimized impedance matching, and audiophile sound quality.

anticables.com

 

[tima]

The OTL's absolutely like to see 8 ohms. Anti-cable makes a nice autoformer that doubles a speakers impedance, I've seen many reports of success using these with speakers with 4 ohms or lower impedance.

Autoformers Reviews

ANTICABLES: read autoformer reviews redefined for superior performance, optimized impedance matching, and audiophile sound quality.

anticables.com

Yes. My review at the 2006 link above includes a sidebar on those Speltz autoformers.

 

[LiquidSound]

I own the LAiV GaNM monoblocs and I must say that I'm impressed with their performance so far. I'm using them presently with my 98db single driver speakers (I know... Overkill with power), however they are dead quiet, micro and macro dynamic and sonically are terrific. I see no downside to these GaNM's compared to my Accuphase A48 class-A amplifier. They are compact, well-built and the support from LAiV is second to none. The real test will be when I soon get my Final Model M12+ electrostatic speakers which are notably less efficient and present a more considerable load. However I actually believe they will work very well with the GaNM's.

As a follow-up to my original post above, I now have my Final Audio M12+ electrostatic speakers and the LAiV GaNM's play them really well. Plenty of power and sonically they are really good. If you're looking for a lower cost pair of mono's that can deliver great sonic performance, I believe the LAiV GaNM's should be on your short list.

 

[NBPK402]

Pardon my impending blasphemy...

Those JBLs are quite sensitive, 94dB.

I like Nelson Pass' idea that mostly we listen to the first watt an amplifier puits out more than we listen to anyof the other watts.

With your sensitivity, make this a game.

Check out one (or more) of those almost free amps from SMSL, Fosi, Aiyima...all essentially cost free.

See how their first watt sounds. With your speakers' sensitivity, you will loads of headroom, as well.

If you don't dig 'em, gift 'em. Like I said, in the realm of Hi Fi these are cost free. Amps from all 3 add up to less than a bottle of many wines.

I'm not saying these are end game toys, just fun playthings for 'seeing' what you think.

Our audiophile club does shoot outs and an 80 dollar SMSL amp was preferred over some surprising competition in one weekend of madness.

Apologies for my high end heresy. Not saying these babies will usurp the throne, but it gives a good reference.

Can I keep my audiophile card?

I think that was Paul Klipsch that said it first.

 

[Atmasphere]

I think that was Paul Klipsch that said it first.

The remark 'What the world needs is a great five watt amplifier' is attributed to him.

 

[Audiohertz2]

My speakers are 98dB as well. That first Watt is so important!! I think that message has failed to hit home- that a class D can have an excellent first Watt, as good or better than anything out there.

Is that because of the massive Feedback used ..?

 

[Atmasphere]

Is that because of the massive Feedback used ..?

A class D amp can have a musical first Watt without any feedback at all. Our early prototypes were exactly that and demonstrated to us that the project was worthy of pursuit.

Ultimately using high feedback was actually a much simpler circuit due to the self-oscillating technique, although working out the oscillation criteria was a bit of a bear; the formula had 8 variables!