Quote Originally Posted by blackraven View Post
Anjani, the SDS-470 is basically 2x254's in one chassi. I would go for the 470 just for the added power and dynamics. You never know what speakers you may end up with in the future. The added power may come in handy.

I just place the Parasound back in the loop and it definetly has a more musical, warmer midrange with more depth but it is not as transparent. It's a trade off. I like both amps. I still prefer the A21 but there are many things I prefer about the CDA-254. I think at the prices that the Class D amps are being offerred it is a no brainer. And pairing them with a tube pre will certainly improve the midrange. I am I going to buy a Little Dot MKIII tube preamp to try with the amp. My son's Maverick Tube pre certainly warms up the midrange. I think the Little Dot with 4 tubes will be better than the Maverick with one tube.
Just set up my new SDS 470C with my KEF LS50's, using my Monarchy M24 Tube DAC / LS.

The sound is very much as you describe - great in all respects, especially the mids, soundstage and imaging.

But... I don't find the bass to be quite as fast, tight, clean, detailed and resolved as you suggest (or I'd expected), and I dont' find the highs to be quite as bright, clear, detailed and resolved as I'd expected.

Overall the amp has a warm, rich, tube-like, mids oriented sound... but... is not quite as clear and crisp as I had expected... and the bass seems just a slight bit rich (which is not expected from small monitors).

Should I expect burn in to tighten and brighten everything up a bit???