Hello georgehifi,
The AGD mono amps you linked a review to look very interesting.
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/agd-production-vivace-gantube-monoblock-ampli...
So, it sounds to me like you were right on the money about how these new GaN transistors ability to positively affect the sound quality of class D amps. The reviewer stated these amps "sound like a SET tube amp but with better dynamics and breadth".
If true, that is an amp sound signature that could be revolutionary since.I believe it's the first of its kind. I've never heard of an amp described as combining SET tube sound with better dynamics and breadth.
Of course, there's more than transistors that determines the sound qualities of an amp, right? Or could we be stuck thinking conventionally about a new technology that could prove to be game changing? Most of us are accustom to discussing the sound differences between amps that use FETs and Bi-Polar transistors, with a total lack of knowledge about the affects of using the new GaN transistors.
All I know about these new GaN transistors is that they are significantly faster switching from on to off, and vice versa, which thus significantly reduces dead-time (the down time when a transistor is neither on nor off but in an in between idle state) that ultimately results in lower distortion. Lower distortion is always a good thing but could there be other forces at work that could result in improved performance?
Currently, I have no answers to my own questions. I'm just thinking out loud and hoping you guys n gals will pitch in and help.
I find this new GaN transistor technology very exciting but want to keep it in perspective. I hope their use continues to trickle down to even more affordable amps as George predicted (good call). It seems they rather quickly went from only being used in the $50K Technics to these new AGD monos at $15K/pair. Still too steep for me but I can wait..
Thanks,
Tim
The AGD mono amps you linked a review to look very interesting.
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/agd-production-vivace-gantube-monoblock-ampli...
So, it sounds to me like you were right on the money about how these new GaN transistors ability to positively affect the sound quality of class D amps. The reviewer stated these amps "sound like a SET tube amp but with better dynamics and breadth".
If true, that is an amp sound signature that could be revolutionary since.I believe it's the first of its kind. I've never heard of an amp described as combining SET tube sound with better dynamics and breadth.
Of course, there's more than transistors that determines the sound qualities of an amp, right? Or could we be stuck thinking conventionally about a new technology that could prove to be game changing? Most of us are accustom to discussing the sound differences between amps that use FETs and Bi-Polar transistors, with a total lack of knowledge about the affects of using the new GaN transistors.
All I know about these new GaN transistors is that they are significantly faster switching from on to off, and vice versa, which thus significantly reduces dead-time (the down time when a transistor is neither on nor off but in an in between idle state) that ultimately results in lower distortion. Lower distortion is always a good thing but could there be other forces at work that could result in improved performance?
Currently, I have no answers to my own questions. I'm just thinking out loud and hoping you guys n gals will pitch in and help.
I find this new GaN transistor technology very exciting but want to keep it in perspective. I hope their use continues to trickle down to even more affordable amps as George predicted (good call). It seems they rather quickly went from only being used in the $50K Technics to these new AGD monos at $15K/pair. Still too steep for me but I can wait..
Thanks,
Tim
