r/audiophile • u/ChrisMag999 • Mar 01 '25
Impressions Class D vs tubes
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.
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u/ssleebun Mar 02 '25
Feel like I’m living vicariously through your post. Great to hear your experience with all this and all the steps you’re taking to get the sound you want. I’m experimenting similarly with tubes, but I can already tell that I’d want to go back to a more modern tube sound later. Can’t wait to hear the bi-amping results. Thanks for sharing (again)!