GaN-based Class D power amps


The use of GaN-based power transistor tech is now emerging for Class D audio power amplifiers. Seems appropriate to devote a forum thread to this topic. At least 3 companies have commercial class D amps in their books:

Merrill Audio, with their model Element 118 ($36k per monoblock, 400 W into 8 ohms, 800W into 4 ohms), Element 116 ($22k per monoblock, 300 W into 8 ohms, 600W into 4 ohms) and Element 114 (coming soon). 
https://merrillaudio.net

Review of Element 118 at this link:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1018/Merrill_Audio_Element_118_Monoblock_Amplif...

ADG Productions, with their Vivace Class D amp ($15k per monoblock pair, 100W into 4 ohms). (The designer emailed me indicating he has another product in the pipeline.)
http://agdproduction.com
Review of the Vivace Class D moniblocks at this link (warning: link might not work (1/11/2019)):
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/agd-production-vivace-gantube-monoblock-ampli...

Technics SE-R1 Class D stereo amp ($17k per stereo amp, 150WPC into 8 ohms, 300WPC into 4 ohms) 
https://www.technics.com/us/products/r1/se-r1.html
Preliminary review of the Technics SE-R1 at this link:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/technics-se-r1-digital-amplifier
Technics also has a lower priced GaN-based class D integrated amp in their catalog:
https://www.technics.com/us/products/grand-class/stereo-integrated-amplifier-su-g700.html

Anyone listened to or own any of these amps?


128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xcelander

Showing 3 responses by stray_cat

Just did a search for the Technics su-g30 and it appears some members here have owned and sold them. It seems that street prices may be more realistic than the $3999 msrp.

Maybe they'll run across this thread and chime in.



@ricevs Yea I thought he was still in the process of seriously evaluating them, not necessarily wimping out, note that he is a distributor and I bet he will start carrying what he thinks folks will love.

 Where his post was helpful was saying the GAN amps sounded different, like night and day, and be it GAN or mosfet class D, they can either be average or world class, depending on various factors. That's what I got out of it.

@georgehifi  The search I did was try to to find one for sale:
Agon members posted ad history:

mountainsong (10-11-18)
$1850.00 10/10

placetas90 (8-26-18)
$2600.00 10/10
Technics ST-G30 music server plus SU-G30 Combo less than a month old!

Madavid0 (4-13-18)
$1500.00 9/10 free shipping
Technics SU-G30 Network Amplifier - MQA - PRICE DROP!

Madavid0-on audiomart: (03-29-18) $2200.00 9/10

The music Room $1611.00

zachjjackson (1-30-17)(3-13-17)$2799.00 10/10

I was hoping one of those members would comment.
Ok not sure if this will work, it's a hifishark page of results, North America region, country-US, in $-US. Nothing for sale atm but you can access the sold/expired tab and all the ads with archived asking prices will be presented.

click on each one and it takes you to the original ad (except Audiogon does not display prices for expired/sold ads)

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=SU-G30&f=S84rsQoNBgA