NuForce has been blowing up the reviews with their "don't call it class-D" amps. Not digital? They sure act like one. Whatever the technology inside, the NuForce Reference 9 is the big brother of the wildly popular Reference 8 monoblocks. 160 watts per channel versus 100 and a price difference of $2500 versus $1600 per pair. And like the ICEpower options out there, the NuForce amps are monsters of bass:

"I must comment on the bass. It's nearly perfect. A bit more warmth and textural richness would be nice, but holy cow is it tummy-rattling! The 9s have very "smart" bass—matter-of-fact powerful, deep, detailed, and rocketship fast. It is very cool to hear the first wave, second wave, and back wave of a kettledrum. I didn't turn on my Rel subwoofer once during this evaluation."

And they do just about everything else well, too. However, NuForce has experienced a few growing pains as per 6Moon's article as well as other little quirks. But, overall, these guys are getting wild attention everywhere they go and quickly becoming a player in the faux-D category.

NuForce
NuForce Reference 9 Reviews [Positive Feedback]
NuForce Reference 9 Review [6Moons]