Class D switching amps? Bel-Canto

[jaxwired]

Anybody out there using a Class D digital amp? Like the Bel-Canto amps? Just wondering what people think about these. They are usually less expensive than Class A/B amps, light weight by comparison, use less electricity, run totally cool, and are still very powerful. Sounds like a dream right? Yet there seem to be many angry critics of this technology. Thoughts?

 

[jaxwired]

For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about:

http://www.wired.com/listening_post/2008/07/class-d-amplifi/

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I use class D amplifiers, they are my business partner and mine own brand Huygens Audio, our Class D power amps use our own technology designed in house MHz power, Bel Canto use ICE power, our amps use the highest switching rates 1MHz. I currently use our 400W MHz power4 mono blocks, and they sound is pretty special, if class D has been criticised then all I can say is the amps/modules been designed badly, our sound very expressive, clean, with superb bass punch and timing, used with the Kudos C30. Get class D right (not easy) and it is sublime.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Bel Canto S300iD (that's the S300i with a built in 24/96 dac), it's amazing. I moved from Cyrus stuff and the Bel Canto did exactly what I wanted it to, it's more detailed and tighter, less bright/harsh but not warm, erm, it's just ace. It took a bit of running in though. If you do a Google search you'll find nothing but high praise for these lovely little amps.

I was testing some speakers last week using the new Cyrus 8xpd, it didn't come close to the Bel Canto, sounded somehow dull yet bright/harsh by comparison.

 

[SHAXOS]

I had a bel canto pre 3 and s300 too. I moved from cyrus equipment also and the bel canto is much better in my opinion. Less bright and much more powerful. Really good pre and power. I really enjoyed it whilst it last although i felt it lacked grunt. Very clear and very detailed sound. Highly recomendable.

 

[basshead]

i have 10 class d power amps, from 200w to 2000w each. but then they are for my rig, and power some monster speakers! i'm guessing the sound quality is very bad on hi-fi terms. i think that all 'industrial' amps are of class d design.

 

[mikeinbrum]

I had a Bel Canto system (Dac 3, M300, Epos M16) for a while, and was very pleased with them. Prior to the BC gear, I had an ARCAM based setup (A28, CD17, Epos M16). I can compare the amplification directly as the speakers were kept constant. The Bel Canto was superior to the ARCAM in every way. The particular strengths of the amp being clarity and speed with extra definition to the low end.

Then followed a series of rather erratic purchasing decisions....

I bought a pair of AVI ADM9.1s to go into my study, and in side to side comparisons the AVI kit sounded much more pleasing to my ears so the Bel Canto gear went on ebay. Now, at this point I will point out that the BC gear may well have been held back by the epos speakers, but, the decision was made to make a clear break.

I then decided after that sale that I missed having a seperates system in my lounge as a 'centre piece'..... so I invested in the MF A1008 amp and Dali Helicon 800 speakers. This combination offer by far.....by a huge margin.... a more pleasing sound to my ears. Being full bodied, warm, yet clear and detailed. also, the combo was available with £3.5k off the rrp..... which was a great sweetener!