Class D Audio ready-made

[Feanor]

Attention Ajani, Cyto, and others who have expressed an interest in Class D Audio amps. These amps have heretofore been offered as kit; they still are, but it looks like they now are or shortly will, available as complete amps. Check out the Class D Audio site ... HERE (http://classdaudio.com/).

http://classdaudio.com/media/easyslide/slider1.jpg

And note that they'll build these amps to your specifications, viz. any model, XLR/RCA, stereo, multi-channel -- as illistrated -- whatever.

NO PRICES YET. Looks like the case are straight forward Par-Metal types, either all steel or steel+aluminum: retail these are in the $50 range. For a standard stereo amp, I'd bet completion of the amp would added $300-350 to price of the kit, (i.e. almost doubling it), however there are many would would be willing to pay that for an amp highly compedative in the price range.

If you contact them, I'm certain that they will get back to you very quickly with a quote and availability information. As a public service I might do this myself; I'll get back here if I do.

[Feanor]

Whoa, I missed this at first, but the price for completed SDS-258, (like I built), is $565 -- an extremely reasonable price. See HERE (http://classdaudio.com/products/class-d-audio-kits/cda-258-kit-ab.html).

However there are currently no pictures or details. I did email Tom at CDA requesting a quote for a SDS-254 amp with a few special features. I'll let you know what I here.

[JoeE SP9]

The price with case is within "fire sale" terriitory. Lack of a case was a problem for me. Now that ClassD has made them available I'm sure their sales will skyrocket.

The prices on their gear are way low. I'm going to try and pull the trigger soon before they start increasing them.

[Ajani]

Whoa, I missed this at first, but the price for completed SDS-258, (like I built), is $565 -- an extremely reasonable price. See HERE (http://classdaudio.com/products/class-d-audio-kits/cda-258-kit-ab.html).

However there are currently no pictures or details. I did email Tom at CDA requesting a quote for a SDS-254 amp with a few special features. I'll let you know what I here.

$565 is an excellent price. I'm sure they will get a lot of us persons who were interested in buying one of their amps, but who didn't want to build one...

[blackraven]

Those amps are a steal at that price. I have not really read anything bad about them. I have had my eye on them for a while. I am about to pull the trigger on a maverick audio tubemagic DAC/Pre for my son's birthday. I bet it would pair nicely with the CDA-254 amp. I was going to buy the Emotiva UPA amp but I bet the class audio amps will out class the emotiva (no pun intended).

[Ajani]

Those amps are a steal at that price. I have not really read anything bad about them. I have had my eye on them for a while. I am about to pull the trigger on a maverick audio tubemagic DAC/Pre for my son's birthday. I bet it would pair nicely with the CDA-254 amp. I was going to buy the Emotiva UPA amp but I bet the class audio amps will out class the emotiva (no pun intended).

I'd go for the Class D in that case as well...

I can't wait to try out one of the SDS-258 amps...

[Feanor]

Those amps are a steal at that price. I have not really read anything bad about them. I have had my eye on them for a while. I am about to pull the trigger on a maverick audio tubemagic DAC/Pre for my son's birthday. I bet it would pair nicely with the CDA-254 amp. I was going to buy the Emotiva UPA amp but I bet the class audio amps will out class the emotiva (no pun intended).
I don't know whether the CDA amps will better the Emotiva since I haven't heard the latter. But I can say, (and already have), that the former are a great amp for those want a very transparent, neutral, and timbre-accurate sound. But they might not be the choice from those who want warmth, body, an organic or relaxing quality. This is the ying/yang thing and a matter of taste.




SDS-528 vs. UPA-1, pair, objective comparison:

Price, nearly identical
Power, nearly identical according to specs
SDS is US-made; UPA is Chinese made
SDS is far lighter in weight and more compact, (i.e. one box)
SDS will run much cooler and with lower electrical consumption
UPA has 120/220V selection -- though SDS can be presumably be ordered with either
UPS has 12V triggering
UPS has both RCA and XLR inputs -- though SDS can presumably be ordered with either.

[blackraven]

Those chassis on the Class D units have that 1970's look. Similar to my AVA gear. I could probably buy a nice chassis and build the kit myself.. I have been looking at some Aluminum and steel Chassis that might work.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/4158

http://www.par-metal.com/

http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.php?cat_id=1032&group_id=2

http://www.8audio-mall.com/servlet/the-Case%2C-Feet-%26-Knob-cln-Chassis-%26-Casing/Categories

[Feanor]

Those chassis on the Class D units have that 1970's look. Similar to my AVA gear. I could probably buy a nice chassis and build the kit myself.. I have been looking at some Aluminum and steel Chassis that might work.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/4158

http://www.par-metal.com/

http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.php?cat_id=1032&group_id=2

http://www.8audio-mall.com/servlet/the-Case%2C-Feet-%26-Knob-cln-Chassis-%26-Casing/Categories
Personally I'd go all-aluminum or steel with aluminium front AND back. It will be a bit easier to cut aluminum for the holes, especially those that aren't simple circles. Aluminium is actually a better RFI/EMI barrier than steel, so I've heard.

[E-Stat]

Aluminium is actually a better RFI/EMI barrier than steel, so I've heard.
Agreed. When I built my second attenuator box, I used a black anodized Par-Metals aluminum cabinet along with the DACT attenuators, JPS Labs wire and Cardas connectors. The box cost more than my original attenuators! (which I gave to Atomic Adam).

rw

[Ajani]

I love this new 12" x 12" x 4" case used in the SDS-254 Amp:

http://classdaudio.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/e/desk-monoblock-sds-450-2.jpg

The SDS-254 amp in that case costs $525:

http://classdaudio.com/products/complete-amplifiers-1/sds-254-complete-amp.html

[Ajani]

I confirmed via e-mail with Class D's Sales dept, that the SDS-258 in that same 12"x12"x4" case is $565....

[blackraven]

Ajani, does this mean that you are ordering the SDS-258?

[Ajani]

Ajani, does this mean that you are ordering the SDS-258?

I just asked for a shipping quote, so we'll see...

[blackraven]

I'm going to order the CDA-254L Kit for my son for Christmas to pair with his Maverick Tubemagic DAC/Pre which is turning into a real bargain. I am still amazed at how good this thing sounds.

[Ajani]

I'm going to order the CDA-254L Kit for my son for Christmas to pair with his Maverick Tubemagic DAC/Pre which is turning into a real bargain. I am still amazed at how good this thing sounds.

The CDA-254L is available, in that same desktop case I posted earlier, for $435:

http://classdaudio.com/products/complete-amplifiers-1/complete-cda-254l-amp-in-silver-desk-style-case.html

[harley .guy07]

they do make me wonder how they would sound with My Nuforce Class D preamp and how they would power my Dynaudios since they like power, not saying that my Adcom is not doing a great job but it is going on 16 years old or so so some day I would not mind retiring it to a second system or running my rear speakers with it to drop the load on it and try something else on my Dyn's. I have looked at Nuforce's mono block amps and they are awesome but they are way higher priced that the Class D audio so it makes me wonder how good these amps really are.

[blackraven]

Harley, I read a review on a forum where a guy compared one of the Class D SDS amps to a pair of Nuforce Model 9se v2 monoblocks and he stated that they sounded very similar for what thats worth. Quite frankly, it doesn't suprise me. They weigh less than 10lbs each and I've wondered why they cost $5000 a pr. because there is not much too them.

[harley .guy07]

Harley, I read a review on a forum where a guy compared one of the Class D SDS amps to a pair of Nuforce Model 9se v2 monoblocks and he stated that they sounded very similar for what thats worth. Quite frankly, it doesn't suprise me. They weigh less than 10lbs each and I've wondered why they cost $5000 a pr. because there is not much too them.

That is very interesting since that would possibly save me like $4300 bucks if I bought the Nuforces new if I went with the Class D's and the power output is really close between these two and is right at the power I would be looking at upgrading to since I am running about 150 per channel to my Dyn's and would like to upgrade to between 250 and 500 just to pull the most from my speakers and I will keep these amps on my take seriously list since they have been rated well and seem to be more at my price range and not $5000 dollars like the Nuforce monoblocks.

[Feanor]

That is very interesting since that would possibly save me like $4300 bucks if I bought the Nuforces new if I went with the Class D's and the power output is really close between these two and is right at the power I would be looking at upgrading to since I am running about 150 per channel to my Dyn's and would like to upgrade to between 250 and 500 just to pull the most from my speakers and I will keep these amps on my take seriously list since they have been rated well and seem to be more at my price range and not $5000 dollars like the Nuforce monoblocks.
I haven't heard the NuForce, but I did own another class D, the Tripath-based Bel Canto eVo2. The the SDS-258 is similar but better; I fine the mid-range a little sweeter.

I think I might have experienced some burn-in with the SDS-258, becoming just a bit less prominent in the lower treble. However I also installed 1 ohm resistors ahead of my Magneplanar MG 1.6's which I didn't use with my Monarchy amps.

For tube amp lovers the SDS amps are no substitute despite that CDA's hype refers to "tube-like" qualities.

[harley .guy07]

I know my Nuforce preamp offers some of the sound aspects of tube preamps but they are not a substitute for them which is fine to me because it keeps the quality's of SS that I like as well. The highs are very detailed and the bass very tight and detailed but the midrange seems to have some of the sound aspects of tube preamps and works quite well for me. I know from hearing many tube products that it does not quite have the sound of a good tube pre but for me there are some aspects of all tube equipment that I don't like as well so for me these amps might be a good balance. I might have to do some more research. For now my Adcom does a good job I am just looking at the future since this amp is going on 16 to 17 years old.

[blackraven]

Feanor, which power supply did you go with for the Class D amp, the 300 or 400? Also, how tall of a case do I need to fit the kit?

[Ajani]

Feanor, which power supply did you go with for the Class D amp, the 300 or 400? Also, how tall of a case do I need to fit the kit?

My guess is that a 12" x 12" x 4" case would do :D

[blackraven]

I am thinking about using this case- 12x12x5"

http://www.par-metal.com/product-ttp-20series.php

The cost for this size is $63. With the CDA-254L kit the total with the case is about $300.