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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?


celander
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 

Celander is correct,



* Rowland does not make use of GaN technology in any of its products.


* The Rowland Continuum S2 integrated sports original Pascal M-Pro2 modules. Rowland does not make use of counterfits.


G.


georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
* Rowland does not make use of GaN technology in any of its products.
In don't think anyone said they did???

* The Rowland Continuum S2 integrated sports original Pascal M-Pro2 modules. Rowland does not make use of counterfits.
Seems your insinuating the $1k Red Dragon amp uses counterfeit Pascal/Sangway modules? 

guidocorona
4,114 posts
 

George, please have the decency, or at least the common sense not to put words in my mouth.


I am not in the habit of insinuating. I make my statements deliberately narrowly scoped. I speak only about what I know, and make no speculations about products and/or companies with which I have little familiarity. I urge you to do the same.


Please give this entire matter a rest... Let's try to stay on topic, folks.


G.




georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
* The Rowland Continuum S2 integrated sports original Pascal M-Pro2 modules. Rowland does not make use of counterfits.

Well sunshine, don’t "insinuate" that the Class-D module in the $10k Continuum 2 is not the same as the one in the $1k Red Dragon, and that it’s counterfeit.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/reddragon/3.html
Quote:
"Rowland integrated Continuum S2. Red Dragon’s S500 beats with the same heart in a less high-end chassis"
toetapaudio
200 posts
 
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.
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