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Thread: Class D Amp users opinions

  1. #1
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Rotherham

    Posts: 693
    I'm steve.

    Default Class D Amp users opinions

    I’m considering going minimalist on the amp front and I’d like any info and opinions on any of the relatively inexpensive Class D amps. I’d particularly like to hear from any users of the BK Electronics Pear Drop amp and the Temple Audio Bantam Gold, both which sell for £200, or any others around the same price.


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  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

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    Temple amps are very good.

    They are great folk to deal with.

    I have a bantum and four mono blocks-all excellent.

    I have only bettered them by going all class A.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Aug 2012

    Location: South Beds, UK

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    I'm Mike.

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    I haven't heard either of the amps you mention, although the Bantams do have a very good reputation.

    Class D, implemented well, can be excellent, equally as good as any other Class.
    Less bling, more integrity ©Spenagio

  4. #4
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Dublin

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    I'm Pavel.

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    I think BK Electronics Pear Drop is based on Abletec ALC0180. Should be a good amp.

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Rotherham

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    Thanks for the comments and opinions guys, much appreciated, still looking at other options too. I was quite surprised while doing searches that lots of companies are changing to Class D for their amps, NAD and Cyrus to mention just 2. I also spotted a more fully featured amp, the Teac AL101DA which is only £20 more than the Pear Drop and Bantam but it sports a DAC with optical and usb inputs as well as analogue, Bluetooth, headphone output and remote control. Only downside is low power it's only 20wpc/4ohms with 1% distortion so probably only 15-16watts into my 6ohm speakers, distortion will no doubt be very low under 10watts so no real problems at normal listening levels, reviews on YouTube all seem quite positive.


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  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: gone

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    I have had lots of class D amps, and lots of others as well.
    On the whole I like them a lot.

    Imo, class D does have a distinctive sound so it can be a bit marmite - some folks loving it, others not so much!
    It tends to have a palpably real midrange, possibly the missing link between solid state and valves-done-well in that respect, to my ears at any rate.

    Even at the best I have heard it, class D doesn't have the last smidgeon of resolution, and some class D amps can be distinctly smoothed over, once again to my ears. Some folks like those amps for the smoothness, others (like me) prefer my class D as a higher rez implementation.

    I've heard a Bantam and would rate it as a bit too smooth for my tastes.

    --- which all come down to the recommendation that you have to try these things for yourself!
    .

  7. #7
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

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    I find the bantum very valve like in presentation.

    The bantum gold and mono blocks would far more up your street Jerry-less bright than a mini t but quite a bit more grunt.

  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Rotherham

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    I'm steve.

    Default Class D Amp users opinions

    Quote Originally Posted by wee tee cee View Post
    I find the bantum very valve like in presentation.

    The bantum gold and mono blocks would far more up your street Jerry-less bright than a mini t but quite a bit more grunt.
    To be honest I’d prefer the balance to be on the light and bright side as the top end currently is a little lacking, provided the delivery is not piercing or shrill.
    I’ve had a look round an a few other option that include an onboard Dac, the Tangent Ampster BT and the Teac AL101da, I prefer the aesthetics of the Teac but it’s rather low power, the Tangent has double the power and it’s quite a bit cheaper (£149) and it got 5*s and a recommended tag from Hifi Choice.

    https://tangent-audio.com/upload_dir...Hifichoice.pdf
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  9. #9
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Dublin

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    I may be wrong, but as far as I remember Teac AI101DA digitizes its analog inputs to apply some sort of DSP to it...

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

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    Second hand mini t would probably suit.

    Try a wanted ad in private exhibitions...

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