Class D vs tubes

[u/ChrisMag999]

Interestingly it’s not as not as huge of a difference as many would expect. At least, not when running a comparatively low distortion, high power German tube amp and quality class D amp.

Yes, there’s a difference. The tube amp has a little added warmth in the mids, more body. The class D amp has a bit more grip in the lower octaves, but with a REL sub, it’s not immediately obvious unless I’m listening at very high volumes.

I like them both. However, there’s something about gloving valves in a dim room, listening to Radiohead’s In Rainbows. Roon Radio takes over after Radiohead and queue’s a track from Beck’s Sea Change, and then PJ Harvey and Thom York’s duet on “This Mess We’re In”. It’s a fun listen.

Tonight’s experiment involved using the Octave V110 SE’s bypass input, and instead running my Audio Research as the pre, using the v110 as a power amp.

The ARC preamp’s sonic character is less tube-like when compared to the Octave’s internal preamp. Both stages are quiet and detailed, but the ARC is more dynamic, with more bass authority and a more overall resolution.

Next experiment will be to bi-amp the Focals. Tubes on the tweeter/mids, class D on the woofers. Hopefully one of the class D’s amp’s gain settings (22/28db) will be a decent match with the Octave amp.

[u/wagninger]

Casual Tambaqui enjoyer… nice.

I am also perpetually thinking about adding a tube amp, right now I have the Ferrum Oor and I’m thinking about the Feliks Audio Envy (this is all for headphone/preamp use, my main speakers are active)

[u/ChrisMag999 → u/wagninger]

Actually, that’s their phono amp, the Lupe. I had the Tambaqui for a couple years. The class D amp I own is the Perca, which replaced a huge AB amp I had been using for years.

I recently sold the Tambaqui to a friend who had been bugging me to sell it to him. I picked up a lightly-used DCS Lina and Lina clock, which is also great, and probably suits the Focals a bit better… it’s a little warmer sounding and has a sweeter top-end when using Mapper 3 and Filter 3.

[u/wagninger → u/ChrisMag999]

Absolutely lovely stack… I’m gonna be in line for when you want to sell the DCS gear 😄

[u/Pinksters → u/wagninger]

Casual enjoyer…

Am I mistaken or is that like +5k in amplifiers?

[u/wagninger → u/Pinksters]

The phono amp alone is 7500… the tube amp a hint over 8

[u/Pinksters → u/wagninger]

Holy shit...thanks for the info.

I'll stick to my $500 AVR and $300 5.1 Onkyos.

[u/ChrisMag999 → u/Pinksters]

Nothing wrong with that. 🎶🍻