Paging "mwhouston"! IT'S ALIVE!!!! The Class D Audio SDS-254 LIVES!!!

Posted by Dman (A) on May 15, 2015 at 06:09:49

Finally got around to building up the SDS-254 kit the other night, and have been passively (meaning not paying much attention) letting it run over the last three evenings.

Things I have noticed with this amp- VERY solid bottom end. The kind of bottom that amps like Krell and Bryston are noted for. Midrange IS very tube-like, with that excellent 3-D, disappearing loudspeaker act going down. The top end is as you stated, with my thoughts leaning towards very tight and detailed, not edgy.

I'm not sure just how long a real burn in this thing needs, as the difference in listening over the last three nights given to different impressions each time, ranging from very bright sounding (first night) to mellow and authoritative (second night- changed from an 18awg power cord to a 14awg), to extremely quick on dynamic swings (last night). I played some treble-roasted 80's dance mix stuff (Depeche Mode, Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and wasn't killed by the top end- it was very focused and listenable while very extended. That is something that ONLY my old ARC D76a was capable of doing, lacking only in a little of the very top end extension and focus...

While there were a few stumbling blocks to the kit- there are next to NO real instructions included, which are sorely needed for some aspects of this kit.

I spoke via email to Tom at Class D Audio, and he is desperately trying to get his website updated, as well as a whole range of PDF manuals together. He's not a one man show, but at the same time, he is still a "mom and pop" operation.

I'll be posting a full review in a few weeks (maybe even a month) once I get a handle on this (and some serious listening).

Cheers,
Dman
Analog Junkie

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Topic - Paging "mwhouston"! IT'S ALIVE!!!! The Class D Audio SDS-254 LIVES!!! - Dman 06:09:49 05/15/15 (27)

RE: do they make an integrated..... - wangmr 08:32:11 05/17/15 (2)

RE: do they make an integrated..... - Dman 10:20:31 05/17/15 (1)

RE: do they make an integrated..... - wangmr 07:51:03 05/22/15 (0)

Nice - bullethead 18:51:12 05/15/15 (5)

RE: Nice - Mick Wolfe 09:01:12 05/16/15 (4)

RE: Nice - Dman 06:59:19 05/18/15 (2)

RE: Nice - Mick Wolfe 12:01:02 05/18/15 (1)

RE: Nice - Dman 12:24:12 05/18/15 (0)

RE: Nice - bullethead 03:39:36 05/18/15 (0)

RE: Paging "mwhouston"! IT'S ALIVE!!!! The Class D Audio SDS-254 LIVES!!! - Mick Wolfe 14:00:56 05/15/15 (8)

Same and some important tips... - Vinyl Valet 06:44:17 05/16/15 (7)

RE: Same and some important tips... - Dman 08:08:02 05/18/15 (1)

You're welcome. (nt) - Vinyl Valet 08:28:06 05/18/15 (0)

A couple of upgrade options ... - Feanor 08:52:28 05/16/15 (2)

I think you might be right about that IEC... - Dman 12:19:04 05/18/15 (0)

Thank you. (nt) - Vinyl Valet 09:48:17 05/16/15 (0)

RE: Same and some important tips... - Mick Wolfe 08:32:17 05/16/15 (1)

Thanks for bringin that up... - Vinyl Valet 09:04:58 05/16/15 (0)

On the subject of burn in ... - Feanor 12:06:28 05/15/15 (1)

RE: On the subject of burn in ... - Dman 12:40:06 05/15/15 (0)

Looking good; thanks for your comments - Feanor 12:01:40 05/15/15 (0)

RE: Paging "mwhouston"! IT'S ALIVE!!!! The Class D Audio SDS-254 LIVES!!! - AudioSoul 06:58:50 05/15/15 (5)

So are we to surmise ... - Feanor 04:51:38 05/16/15 (2)

RE: So are we to surmise ... - Dman 06:57:35 05/16/15 (1)

Class D amps don't all sound the same, furthermore ... - Feanor 08:40:08 05/16/15 (0)

RE: Paging "mwhouston"! IT'S ALIVE!!!! The Class D Audio SDS-254 LIVES!!! - Bill the K 21:11:29 05/15/15 (0)

Well, let's define this a little bit more... - Dman 07:58:04 05/15/15 (0)

Paging "mwhouston"! IT'S ALIVE!!!! The Class D Audio SDS-254 LIVES!!!

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