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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
AG most of us here hope to see a 200w GaN for close to $1 or $2k which is doable one day.

Have a look at Red Dragon S500-$1k v Continuum 2-$10k both of which use very similar electronics.

Your are selling yours for $15K, you can’t tell me if a big company like Sangway decided to put them in a plain metal box, like the Red Dragon, made thousands of them they couldn’t be sold for around $1K.

It’s already down to $4k with the GaN Technics SU-G30 network integrated amp, and that’s a lot extras in that one with preamp.

Cheers George
aolmrd1241
759 posts
 
For informational sake...Merrills other offerings for GaN amplification also include.
Element 116 @ $22,000.00 per monoblock pair.
Element 114 @ approximately $12,000.00  per monoblock pair. [pending release] 
 


celander's avatar
celander OP
1,036 posts
 
The original post cannot be edited once someone posts a response. I admit certain mistakes exist in that original post that adversely affect all three manufacturers in one way or another. All errors have been addressed in follow-on posts. 
vt4c
27 posts
 
As the GaN is used in the non-linear stage i.e. the output, it just operates as a very fast switch, the benefit of GaN is less heat, and higher switching frequency.
GaN is a non-linear power device and really should not matter for sound quality. It may be easier to design an amp with GaN, but audible effects should be unrelated, unless a much higher switching frequency is used to advatage of simpler filtering and higher resolution A to D converter is used.
Too much sales jargon.
tweak1
870 posts
 
OP, why not start a new thread address AGDs concerns? 
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