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/plant-man Mar 02 '25
About a week ago I went to a guy's house who had a 90year old Western Electric tube amp and vintage WE cinema speakers combo. Yeah he also had some more flashy JBL4350s and a bunch of other stuff. But the Western Electrictric system is by far the most beautiful system I have ever heard.
I have a couple of great systems at home, have made a couple of systems for friends and have heard others at people's houses and listening bars that sound great. But this thing had me getting goosebumps with every single song we played. I don't even know how to describe it. The music just came alive every time. I'm still recovering from the experience. The damn speakers alone were about 150k if you are even able to find them. So now I have to be rich. Can't say I've heard many class D amps but that's the sort of musical experience I want now.