GaN-based Class D power amps
There was a car audio amp shootout done about an year or so back and the only Class D amp to make the top tier list was a GaN based amp,
Soundigital GaN 300.2d
. Here is the link. https://issuu.com/diogoianaconi/docs/amplifier_shootout |
Yep looks like GaN technology has infiltrated into car audio also and beat the competitors, the SoundDigital SD300.2 https://ibb.co/80x8L1CCheers George |
I would think the
Merrill Audio, with their model Element 118 ($36k per monoblock, 400 W into 8 ohms, 800W into 4 ohms), at the asking price should sound extraordinary good but for 2000 GBP you can own the remarkable sounding Nord Acoustics with the new REV D boards plus the added extra of choosing your choice of op amps depending on what sound suits your personal tastes or system better its called op amp rolling. The sound of the Nord Acoustic amps is by far the best sounding amplifiers i have heard period and no i have no connection to Nord Acoustics they sell direct to the public. |
With so few parts, what justifies the high cost of some Class D amplifiers, including the JR Continuum S2? I understand R&D, overhead, and profit, but more and more the cost of Audio is getting crazy.GaN transistors are still a bit more expensive. Class D amps have to meet RFI regulations and to certify that sort of thing (for example, to obtain the CE mark so it can be imported into Europe) can cost quite a lot- $15K for starters. So while the actual parts cost is low, there is a bit of overhead that does not exist for traditional amplifiers. |
To my knowledge, the Nord Acoustics Class D products do not presently include GaN-FET transistors, which is the topic of this thread. There is another thread that specifically addresses Nord Class D products, to which I ask folks to post Nord-specific posts. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-class-d-amplifier-ps-audio-ghent-nord-merrill-or-other |
