Personally, I’m very excited to hear PS Audio is moving into the integrated market with the class D integrated ‘Stellar Strada’. I like the compact look that an integrated can provide - usually if it is a dual mono design. Currently I have a MF M6si, which is class AB - dual mono. I really love the M6si’s class AB sound and 220wpc power. Moving forward I have been very interested in the Hegel 390/590, please see below:
Power output: 2 x 250 W into 8 Ω, Dual Mono Minimum load: 2 Ω Analog Inputs: 1 x balanced (XLR), 2 x unbalanced (RCA) Digital Outputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC) Digital Inputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC), 1 x coaxial (RCA), 3 x optical, 1 x USB, 1 x Network Line level Output: 1 x unbalanced fixed (RCA), 1 x unbalanced variable (RCA) MQA supported inputs: USB, BNC, Optical and Coaxial Frequency response: 5 Hz - 180 kHz Signal-to-noise ratio: More than 100 dB Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB Distortion: Less than 0.005% @ 50 W/8 Ω/1 kHz Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz) Damping factor: More than 4000 (main power output stage)
Power output: 2 x 301 W into 8 Ω, Dual Mono Minimum load: 2 Ω Analog Inputs: 2 x balanced (XLR), 3 x unbalanced (RCA) Digital Outputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC) Digital Inputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC), 1 x coaxial (RCA), 3 x optical, 1 x USB, 1 x Network Line level Output: 1 x unbalanced fixed (RCA), 1 x unbalanced variable (RCA) MQA supported inputs: USB Frequency response: 5 Hz - 180 kHz Signal-to-noise ratio: More than 100 dB Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB Distortion: Less than 0.005% @ 50 W/8 Ω/1 kHz Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz) Damping factor: More than 4000 (main power output stage)
I love all of my PS Audio products and if you guys had a class AB integrated offering I would purchase the PS Audio option. Are there any plans to make a class AB integrated in the future - maybe a “BHK Signature Integrated”?
I agree, we need a PROPER Class AB integrated… I have NEVER EVER liked ANY Class-D amps, they all sound the same, they ALL struggle with demanding speakers and don’t have instant current, they ALL are terrible at highs, and no matter what PS Audio and others have done to mitigate the shortcomings, it’s just a bandaid on a broken bone!
I personally would never spend high dollars on a Class-D amp, they’re ALL made by modules from TWO companies and could easily be DYI at home, so paying thousands for them is kind of ridiculous. They’re ONLY good for subwoofers, and even Elac active speakers are mixing Class D, AB for lows and high, Class D for the woofer, Class AB for mid-highs, as that’s where Class D struggles badly.
I am 100% sure, Paul would defend Class D as he has in his videos, but to my ears, and majority of audiophiles, Class D simply doesn’t cut it at the higher end. It’s only suitable for subwoofers, and for situations where you need to save size and heat… anywhere else, it’s subpar!
My System is ALL Class D including two NCORE (Hypex) 200W@8 Ω Kit Amps that power my Sealed Box Continental 901’s and 3 PS Audio M700’s for my front 3 Channels. Class A/B is so 70’s/80’s…LOL. Personally, I like the sound of Class D when it has a decent input stage feeding the ICE/HYPEX modules. Also, I can leave them on 24/7 without a huge Hydro/Electric Bill waiting for me.
I don’t agree with abeiklou - I feel his response was overly critical of class D and is too generalized.
Class D can sound very good but also sounds different than class AB imo. Picking from class D or class AB is a personal choice - it’s subjective.
rajugsw, as you mentioned class D has some very good perks, such as efficiency. I have heard the class D ‘Stellar series’ and imo it sounds really great.
I only brought up class AB as a possible option for people that subjectively like the sound of class AB and also want an integrated…thats all.
Maybe, but I have YET to hear a Class D amp that sounds as good as Class AB in all situations, doesn’t exist. Even PS Audio admits and makes their top of the line BHK, a Class AB/Tube amplifier.
Class D isn’t bad, and heck my Receiver is Class D, but it has its place and purpose… to me, doesn’t belong at the higher end of Audophile equipment hierarchy, as essentially ALL are the same as what you can get from Amazon with a Hypex or ICE module with lesser or more premium supporting components making the rest.
You made my point, so a $500 Hypex amp works more or less the same as spending thousands on a Class D amp… same module, almost the same sound (not denying it can be made better but only small marginal improvements)!
The post seems to be going down a Class D discussion due to the Stellar product range - although i think the original question was very valid PS audio have some great Non class D products as well and a number of other manufactures have High end integrated options (Gryphon & Hegal to name a couple) some of them are even pulling high end DAC and Phono Options into these products at price and maybe this is something else PS should be looking into. @mr-ryan-eickmeyer love the thought of a “BHK Signature Integrated”
Sorry if I made the discussion about Class D. I simply don’t think class D belongs at higher end of the price or quality of audio. It’s fine for the sprout level and home theatre products needing multiple channels but at higher end, a class AB is more suitable IMO.
I agree with @aangen. Class D can sound great, as can class AB and class A - it’s all in the implementation. My class-D M700s are significantly more dynamic and musically involving than the highly regarded vintage class-AB amp they replaced.
The other issue I have reservations about is whether packing a high-end DAC, a high-end preamp, and a high-end amp into the same little box is the best way to achieve high-end sound. An integrated amp makes a lot of compromises to share a box, including heat management, power supply design, and overall weight of the unit. A solid argument can be made that separate components allow for greater flexibility and fewer design compromises when attempting to achieve sonic bliss. Of course, when a well-designed integrated amp meets a user’s needs well, the savings in overall space and (sometimes) in cost can be desirable. But if sound quality is the ultimate goal, integrated amps may not be the most direct route to that goal IMO.
I agree compromises would be made. The question is, if measurable, how great are these compromises?
These days the designer’s ability to identify, measure and shield things like RFI/EMI…etc is very good and it may not be as much of a concession as you think.
Further, not everyone is looking for, nor have the living room space for, no limit/zero compromise/formula-one level separates and mono blocks.
Having, at the very least, the preamp and mono blocks in one box is a beautiful example of conciseness that I personally love.
