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?

celander01-11-2019 11:37pm

toetapaudio Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 200 posts 01-17-2019 at 04:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Back on topic, it would be good to hear from users of the new Merrill GAN amps and their comparisons. Our reference class D being the Mola Mola Kaluga’s at £9,950 per mono pair, expensive enough but much better than other class D amps we have tried and they compare very favourably with some class A amps costing £50k. The new Merrill’s at more than twice the price ought to be better, that would make them very interesting if price is no barrier. Compatibility with a top dac is a concern with the Merrills, it doesn’t look like Merrill has a top flight dac on offer, if I’m not mistaken. The Mola Mola Makua dac works so well with their amps.
toetapaudio Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 200 posts 02-16-2019 at 08:56am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Our reference amps are Mola Mola Kaluga’s, designed by Bruno Putzeys. They have been in a different class compared to other class D and A/B designs we have tried. We also know somebody who had a very expensive (£50k)class A design from Switzerland who moved them on for the Kaluga’s (£10k). Just because another amplifier is based on the same NC1200 module, won’t necessarily mean it will sound the same. Demos available in the U.K. if interested.