Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Class D amplifier

I used a Sonic Impact $29 T-Amp for a garage system driving some M3Tis. Sounded good.

Sounds similarly good to an A1500, eh?

OK, the Parasound amp was sent back after using it for a week; I'll say that it's a really nice piece for the money, a great entry level amp for a guy who cannot afford to spend too much, but who would like a very powerful amplifier. Or a person like a college kid who is moving frequently and cannot deal with heavy, expensive gear.

My impression with it is that although very good on the low and mid range, it's just slightly harsh to my ears in the upper frequencies and definitely lacks in the imaging/sound-stage department vs. the A51. But otherwise, a very nice piece and not expensive at all.

I was so intrigued by the class D amp that I just brought in a pair of the Anthem M1 mono blocks and they arrived yesterday. Thus far having set them up quickly with two 120 volt 15 amp input lines vs. the recommended 240 volt mains, they are pretty damn good, in fact really good. Much improved sound stage and details than the Parasound A51 and far more low end power, not to mention the bass detail is exquisite. I am hearing things I have not heard before in all ranges. But to be fair, these amps are almost twice the cost of the A51.

The other major point of interest to me is how cool they run! My A51 under heavy loading got very hot, like up in the 140 degree F range. The M1's average around 80 to 90 degrees F. And I have them stacked on top of each other! Very impressed with these overall.

Give me more time with them and also will report on using 240 volt input shortly.

Slim

Besides the room, soundstage and imaging is all about the dynamic range of your gear. There is no comparison between the Parasound and the Anthem M1 when it comes to dynamic range.

Agreed, huge difference. Plus the Parasound is using the off the shelf ICE class D module; the Anthem is a ground up proprietary design.

They spent 5 years on developing this amp, I have to imagine it has some very nice elements to it.... I love the liquid cooling; very cool.

ICEpower bites the big, fat one for high fidelity audio.

Not being an EE, but having just enough electrical experience to be dangerous to myself (did take an 800 volt direct hit to my finger once from the plate of an RF transmitter tube), I cannot comment on the ICE module, I don't know what exactly they designed. But I can tell you easily that the D module implemented by Anthem is very high fidelity. I would love to listen to other Class D amps as they are very intriguing.... The M1's in standby, as in ON all the time, consume 1 watt in 120v. mode and 2 watts at 240v.

And liquid cooling to the side by side reduced size heat sinks, love it.

I plan on machining heavy duty 7075 billet aluminum rack handles for the front and holding the two amps stacked but with a rack space between for cooling and a matching spacer support block for the rear so that the two become a single unit.
And Black Anodized of course

OH yes, one very important observation which I neglected to report on with the M1's....... My Gin gut busting EP800 and little brother EP500 which were always very "present" in the room have suddenly moved to the back wall and now blend in perfect harmony with the Model T's. I mean the whole room is liquid, there is no apparent 'speaker' anywhere. Adding the massive increase in power to the T's and bringing the huge lower end performance of these speakers into the forefront suddenly made the thundering output of the subs just mesh perfectly. I don't "hear" the subs any longer, I just feel them.

Honestly, I can truly say that my chest was being slammed like in a heavy club.... I could feel the impact of the dynamics of the music (vinyl input).

I'm envious.

Stop by for a listen Mojo, I'll show you my Variac