Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

Register / Login

---

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Amp/Preamp Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

RE: The Very Best LM3875 Gainclone

Posted by PaulF70 (A) on September 27, 2017 at 15:50:42

In Reply to: RE: The Very Best LM3875 Gainclone posted by AbeCollins on September 27, 2017 at 10:07:13:

But, of course, "Class D" (switching amps) sound *very* different than gainclones - or any other analog amp for that matter.

I've had all matter of digital amps, including N-Cores, the best so far but still with serious problems that gainclones do not have.

Op-amps have some serious advantages, actually, over discrete circuits (that Philip Holmes once spoke to in a review, incidentally). The fact that they're looked down upon in many quarters is simple audiophile bigotry/ignorance.

As for the actual chips, I can't say for certain nothing sounds as good or even better than the LM3875. I do know they all sound different - I know I do not like the 3886 as much, for example. And, of course, implementation matters (circuit and power supply).

I've had models from DAL and Clones. The Clones did not wow me, but it was an integrated with a cheap pot - that will ruin any amp. I run my current units with a Music First TVC line stage that costs quite a bit more than the amps.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---