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.