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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
 
Yes- I don’t see anyone being slammed in the last 4 posts.
I think celandar’s maybe a latent cop



Let’s have a clam bake and all slam each other

https://nostalgiacentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/magiccircleclub2.jpg
celander's avatar
celander OP
1,036 posts
 
Hmmm....
“Affordable Amp manufacturers will not "use" the raw GaN fet component, only the more esoteric $$$$$ ones may design their own modules, if they’re suicidal.”
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
really! celander, you call that slamming??? remember forest and trees sunshine.

If anyone takes the thread off the "GaN path" it’s you

Last 7 posts all non GaN related, which are directly referenced because of your "non GaN" related comment in the 1st one.

Cheers George
celander's avatar
celander OP
1,036 posts
 
George, please order a GaN evaluation board amp module out of the Digikey Electronics catalog, assemble the amp and let us know how it sounds. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
You can do that, or just get a hifi shop to demo the Technics SU-G30 for you, being only 50W on yours or some low wattage efficient speakers.
 I'll wait till I can pickup a pair of GaN monoblocks complete with Chinese Sangway type boards in them for around $2K or less for the pair.
By then all the their techs will have worked out any bugs with them. 

Cheer George 
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