Originally Posted by
satow 
My old system was a Creek OBH-22 passive preamp and a Creek A42 power amp. Speakers were Epos ELS-3 and source was Oppo BDP-83.
I wanted to build a home theater system, but still wanted quality audio for my critical listening. I purchased an Emotiva UMC-1 processor/preamp to replace my Creek passive preamp. It doesn't sound as good as the Creek, but it was very close. Besides with all my A/V stuff I needed the processor and customizable switch that the Emotiva provided.
A couple weeks ago, I read about the D-Sonic and purchased a D-Sonic Magnum 1000S. It was the most expensive amp that I every bought. I am very skeptical about audio equipment and always look at the specs and pricing. Then I evaluate by ear. I am not a believer of "pay more" = "better sound". Only two types of people believe this. People who have money to spend and don't care, and fools. But of course this is just my own opinion.
When I received the Magnum I swapped out the Creek A42 with the D-Sonic 1000S. Turned everything on and expected amazement. I was shocked! It sounded terrible. Everything I played sounded bad and distorted. I thought I had gotten ripped off. I was sort of pissed off.
After a few hours of listening, I noticed that the sound had gotten a bit better. Thinking that maybe my ELS-3's might be the problem, I swapped in a pair of PSB Alpha B1's. It sounded much better. The bass wasn't sloppy and the sound was not as distorted. But I still wasn't happy.
I kept playing music over the next couple days to burn in the amp, to settle down the electronics. Then I turned it off and didn't play anything for a while. I was pissed that I spent all that money and got crap.
Then on the third or fourth day, I played my favorite Barry Flanagan CD. I almost sh@t my pants. It sounded wonderful! I couldn't believe it. Everything sounded much, much better, like some invisible switch turned on from inside the amp. I played more CD's. Jazz, Rock, Folk, female and male vocals. They ALL sounded great.
Yes it does sound a bit different than a solid state or tube amp. But in a beneficial way. The highs roll off very smoothly, better than the soft clipping of a tube amp. Every single sound is distinct and clear but never harsh, better than a class A solid state amp, but more accurate than a class AB amp. Super clean sound, tight control, and fast.
I read somewhere that clean AC power would help make the amp sound better so I picked up a tripplite AC power conditioner for $69. I was amazed that it helped make it sound even clearer.
Now, I love this amp. It is the BEST amp that I've ever, ever owned period. It is so good, I don't think I'll go back to the Creek or to my various tube amps. It is that good.
I must also say that the PSB Alpha b1's are a good match for this amp. I don't know if X-over quality affects the sound, but the amp didn't work out for me with the ELS-3's. Maybe I didn't give them a decent chance, but the D-sonic and the PSB speakers work very well together.
I highly recommend the D-Sonic Magnum 1000S amplifier. Rarely does anything surprise me, or exceed my expectations. I am generally very pessimistically about audio reviews, and even though at the beginning I wasn't very happy, after the amp broke in, I became extremely happy. This amp will not disappoint. If you can afford it, give it a chance.
I'll keep monitoring my amp and post occasional updates. This is only my first few weeks of listening to it, so I'm still wondering what to expect. So far, it has done me quite well.
There are some types of music organ and dance that have long deep sustained bass notes where RMS might be a better indicator of performance.
