I had the opportunity to bring my Cymax amp to audio shops to have a comparison test. It was a sighted A-B test, so I’m sure to be shot down by various folks in this forum. There was no time to setup a blind test. Also, whatever I describe below will sure be shot down also because I don’t have side by side measurement graphs. But nonetheless if you are interested in the subjective impressions from 3 listeners, here it is:
The Cymax was compared against a Burmester 032 integrated amplifier and a Dan D’Agostino Progression integrated amplifier connected to Burmester B038 speakers. Each of these were around US$25-30k each. It was also compared against a T+A A3000HV power amplifier connected to Sonus Faber Amati G5, these were around US$24k and $36k each.
The outdated bias against Class D amplifiers being thin, lean and harsh was definitely not what the Cymax is. My initial impression on first listen was smooth and fairly relaxed, musical and engaging, top end was detailed and airy, clear instrument separation, neutral mid, bass that is powerful, precise and tight, has effortless drive, speed and dynamics.
Compared against the Burmester 034, it was hard to discern a difference. All 3 listeners said they were very close and could not call a winner.
Compared against the D’Agostino Progression, it was similar except the Progression had a slightly more weighty authoritative bass, and slightly richer mid.
Compared against the T+A A3000 HV, there was a wider difference with the T+A sounding more engaging with a richer tonality. T+A was running in Class A.
So if you have heard these components before, they are all very good amplifiers, each having a sound signature that one may like or prefer one over the other. Shop owner commented that the Cymax is a good amp. As the Amati G5 speakers goes down to 2.3 ohm at 93Hz with the amplifier seeing an equivalent of sub 2ohm EDPR across half the frequency range, the Purifi 1ET9040BA drove it really well and sounded effortless. Overall the Weiss OP2-BP coupled with Purifi 1ET9040BA makes for a super compelling value, especially if you have components that are of great quality to show up the difference it brings to the stage.