The good thing about an integrated amplifier is that it already is leveled inside regarding gain. Sometimes I've experienced issues with noise and a growling sound from the speaker when not properly matching a pre and power amp. Some of the little class D amplifiers seemed more prone to weird artifacts, growl, hiss and hum, when used with my pre-amp... Which is not present with my AB's.
My guess is that gain might amplify things not heard with my AB's which are 22dB gain but 350W into 4 ohms.
To put it even more simply. You mostly save physical space with class D. They dont save much power in praxis. So if you already have a good AB... Don't buy something new for kicks... Since sound won't make much or any difference anyway.
I have blind tested this countless times with friends, and unless we are talking complex loads, which most types of badly designed amplifier would struggle with anyway - regardless of class - then sound won't change much at all.
But, always be aware that if you intend to EQ in bass, then you run out of power very quickly... Very quickly.
Thank you Digital Thor.
You make me hesitate on my journey
starting from Fosi to 3E
and yesterday I discovered that
Audiophonics sell Ncore with Hypex (I thought Hypex only came for DIY).
Hypex seems to be the cream of the cream at least on this website.
Now, will I hear a real difference between much less expensive
Fosi and Ncore Hypex, I do not know.
But you recommend I simply go for an AB ?
Today I have no amplifier at all.
Oh well, I tried Alientek 5 years ago, gathering dust in a closet,
so lets say I have nothing.
What I am running after is the WiiM
because almost everyone seems to rave about this thing !
Sometimes I feel like going backwards, and just buy a used integrated AB Amp,
a good used CD player and forget about all the fuss, stay as simple as possible.
BUT ! perhaps this is a bit radical, so much more music available with streaming.
For me, not a very technical advanced man,
the WiiM seems like a good start
but perhaps it is a misunderstanding ?
I will eventually learn the REW to be able to share with you
my vintage speakers I bought for 300€,
my DIY Line Array a friend of mine sold me for 70€ and
a soon a DIY open baffle Lii Audio F15.
Lots to play with.
I will not use the PC as a streamer,
this is way to complicated for me.
With my Alientek five years ago I had a setup with
RME Digiface USB, way to complicated.
I have absolutely no problem with space,
I am lucky to have a room for music.
The ceiling is 3 meters (10 feet) high
and a surface of 4.5x6 meters (15 x 20 feet)
I would like a flexible system to test
for example a tube amp and so on.
So I came down to this bundle of
WiiM Ultra
with since yesterday the
AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S125NC Class D
Stereo Amp Ncore Hypex NC122MP 2x125W 4 Ohm.
If I do not go this way, since there seems to
be quite a bit of problems with the class D
as some of you testify
although many of you also say that this is lots of nonsense
but still, and I hear no problems at all with AB amps
???
I could also choose to
buy a
streamer, a DAC and an AB Amp
either from AudioPhonics or
something like a used Yamaha Yamaha A-S701
or the great looking Rotel RB 1070
but looks is not the most important
although it is always nice to have nice looking gears.
The WiiM lets me have an easy to use setup with corrections,
but I will on the long run undestand nothing.
The option to the WiiM seems to be from what I understand,
the DIRAC. Only wonder if I can learn to use it ?
If I can learn Dirac and REW, then I am in a more free world
the with the automatic WiiM.
Thank you.
www.audiophonics.fr
