GaN-based Class D power amps

celander OP
  Why not be helpful
If you don’t want to contribute your listening impressions, then that is your prerogative. And nobody is asking you to endorse or demean any manufacturer.

The output section of the MXA-8400 is a completely new electrical Lyngdorf Audio design based on the optimal use of NFB in audio amplifiers. NFB is an arrangement in which an amplifier is made to respond to a fraction of its own output signal in opposite phase in addition to the normal input signal. It effectively reduces distortion and increases linearity.”

I thought it was a taboo to use negative feedback in a class D design.

Nope, it’s inherent in a lot of Class D. It doesn’t work quite the same way though. Some uses local feedback, which does not include the output, and some do.

Feedback and a triangle wave oscillator is how the analog input is converted to PWM output.

To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Putzeys has not embraced the higher performance conjectures behind GaN transistors's use in class D amplifiers at this time.

Once again, from the best of my knowledge, the Lyndorf amp in question likely sports Putsey's latest thinking in class D module design.

Regards, G.

"What’s shocking in 2019 is how few audiophiles are aware of this revolutionary product category. There are reviews in the past 5 years, starting with Jim Merod in PFO (reviewing NAD’s M2 back then)."

Hi Jonnie22

I wouldn't necessarily call the Agon forum posters the most progressive bunch of folks out there. I think the readers are more progressive but many of the posters here are unfortunately the end of a dug in generation that is having a hard time dealing with certain innovative changes taking place in the hobby.

I also wouldn't necessarily call many of the HEA folks practicing audiophiles anymore. They're more folks belonging to a historic chapter of audio equipment collectors. At the same time it's refreshing to see these threads advancing at a rapid pace compared to just a few months ago.

welcome to the forums

Michael Green

Nord Acoustics will be releasing a NC1200 based amplifier for under $3500

It was stated earlier in this thread that "there are no truly digital amplifiers".

This is very wrong. They’ve been out for 20 years -starting with the TacT Millennium in 1998 and reviewed (that year) by Robert Greene of The Absolute Sound.

The new Nord price is pounds, not USDr

from what I've studied such amps benefit greatly from module isolation
Meaning, the expensive chassis is much more than a pretty face

No-one here should listen Ralph Karsten. He knows tubed circuits and that’s about it...

Actually, the first "digital amp" was the TACT. They do not have an DAC in it. They convert the PCM signal directly to PWM. There is no analog signal ever inside a TACT (except that which is generated via PWM and outputted via the speaker outs).

Just did a search for the Technics su-g30 and it appears some members here have owned and sold them.

How can we know how it compares if the "review" has no comparisons?....no mention of what amp he replaced or what other amps he has heard in his system. All we know is that his sound has improved. Maybe a $2000 amp from another company would also improve his sound.

It seems that some audiophiles are very "delicate" people. They don’t want to upset anyone by saying anything negative about some product. I mean, this is all very, very serious, we don’t want to make anyone "feel bad".....do we? Are we really this wimpy?!? If you really care for people then you want them to know all the information they can get so they can make the best purchases. If they bought yesterdays toy and you tell them it is not todays toy.....well that is just the way it is (or at least what you hear, in the here and now). There has never been a product that has remained state of the art......except maybe the Ionovac tweeter. Reviews without comparisons are worthless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The $8000 a pair mono blocks from Nuprime would be a nice comparison......their latest generation of patented Class D with 700K switching and all discrete front end with 1meg input impedance.......for 36% of the price of the Merrill.  He could have borrowed them from a dealer and we would know if these "GaN" amps are really better.....and if they are better, is it worth the money difference?

So correct, I read it real fast and assumed he meant he had the new amps since maybe January of this year. However, this review is still not helpful as the Veritas is nothing more than a stock Ncore module and has been beaten by many new cheaper amps (class D and class A/B....do some research). There are already at least 3 other reviews comparing the Veritas to the Element 116. Nothing new here and still no comparisons against other brands.

How are we going to know anything about these new amps if all we get is reviews of them versus old outdated Merrill amps.

You can borrow or buy with 30 day return many amps.  There is no reason to just buy the latest almost twice as expensive product from the same manufacturer when things are changing so fast.  There are so many possibilities.  Another possible really good class D amp is the latest one form DAC (Cherry amps).  They have a new Megachino 2 that has 150K bandwidth and linear supply, DC coupled with patented technology.....his very latest one just now released.  Basic stereo version is $6100.  You could buy this amp, the $8000 Nuprimes and compare to your Element 116s (that you borrowed or have the ability to return)........now this would be interesting.  Are we just lazy?  Don't you really want to know if there is anything less than $22,000 that might be better?

How are we going to know anything about these new amps if all we get is reviews of them versus old outdated Merrill amps.

Veritas is nothing more than a stock Ncore module and has been beaten by many new cheaper amps

George,

My "cause" is great sound for everyone.  I love audio and I love it evolving.  Thank you for continuing to post my site.  Every time you do, I get emails from people who want my amp.  You are my shill!  People interested in $22,000 amps are not interested in $2000 amps.  I don't expect my highly modified dual mono fully tweaked IceEdge amps to compete at that level.,,,,,but who knows?!?

I am really excited about the possibilities of class D....whether using "dead time compensation" with mosfets, getting rid of dead time via patents, or GaN.  I want to know how these new GaN amps perform related to what is out there.  Reviews of old Ncore versus GaN do not let anyone know what is possible. Yes, I want reviews versus class A and class A/B as well.

We had a guy here who says he has 6 class D amps including 2 GaNs and was going to listen on 6 systems and let us know.....then he wimps out and says "people want to argue here, so I am not going to tell you anything". What he did say was: mosfet amps sound great or not so good and that GaN amps sound great or not so good.  Don't you want to know what he hears?  I sure do.  Information that could illuminate the situation.

As far as looking around, here is one that you missed.....class A/B mono blocks for $5000 that trounce the $12,000 Veritas mono blocks.

http://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2018/10/13/audio-by-van-alstine-dva-set-600-mono-block-amplifier

ricevs
Thank you for continuing to post my site. Every time you do, I get emails from people who want my amp. You are my shill!

George

Yes, I am panicking.....having a panic attack right now....he he.  Lighten up!!!!  There are no GaN amps under $15K right now that anyone wants and it will be some time before there are any at 2K.  Why would I panic?  My amp will sell if it sounds good for the money and not sell well if it does not.  This has nothing to do with GaNs or your opinion and you know it! I don't need my amp to sell to live.  Nor does Ralph need to sell his upcoming class D amps to live. 

In fact, I have been in contact with IcePower and trying to get them to play with GaNs.  I am the one that asked Nuprime on their Audiocircle forum if they were experimenting with GaNs.  I am PRO GaN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

check out my post on the below forum and Nuprime reply.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=158342.40

George, you can be so negative.  This is not a battle of minds or wills.  This is a game.  Enjoy the audio game.  Make helpful comments and supportive comments.  But to take it so seriously......not a healthy thing!

Aolmrd,

Did you read the review on the above link about the Van Alstine amps that creamed the Veritas?  Did you also notice in that review a link to a review of the $2000 in black/$2200 in silver Van Alstine stereo amp that also creamed the Veritas?  The $12,000 Veritas is not a reference amp if a $2200 class A/B amp creams it.  A person who has borrowed the $22,000 Merrill 116s should really get a pair of the mono Van Alstine amps ($5000) and compare.....don't you think?  If they both cream the Veritas (according to the reviews) then it could be a fun shoot out.  This is what I am talking about.....actual A/Bs versus real stuff.....not just the manufacturers old stuff that cost almost half as much.  I would hope any manufacturer that makes an amp for twice as much as the old one would sound better.....if it did not they would not be in business long.  But what really matters is how does the new technology compare to the many other amps out there.  Looks like we are in for a long ride as the comparisons are just not coming in.

stray_cat