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
Hi,

Let me be very clear because for some reason there are certain people on these forums that love to argue and scrutinize every single word you say. We do not measure any equipment but what we do is directly A/B products against each other in 6 very different systems. The only thing each system has in common is the cabling.

The question was asked " anyone listened to or own any of these amps" and the answer is yes, someone has actually listened, owned and A/B some of these amplifiers. The main reason we do not give our results is because we do not want to get into disagreements with people that have not done the exact same A/B testing or people that just come on these forums to argue. Truth is we are just a group of guys having fun and I intend on keeping it that way because that is really what audio should be, FUN!

Well, that was helpful. And I am going be as polite as possible.

For one to say they listen to a bunch of amps in 6 different systems having only cables in common and doing so via A/B comparisons while saying nothing—absolutely nothing about their listening impressions, let alone the identity of the amps or the identity of the cabling or components of the 6 different systems—provides absolutely nothing as a contribution to this forum thread.

And I look forward to meaningful input from the previous poster regarding specific listening impressions of GaN-based FET class D amps. The rich diversity of different systems in which those impressions are contexted should also be provided for the benefit of all. 

I ask all contributors to think about what I requested in my original post. The implicit question is the solicitation of listening impressions about GaN-based FET clas D amps. Please respect that request.
Anyone know if the new Lynddorf amp uses GaN-FET? Saw the Facebook post,February 5 at 3:07 PM ·

"Today we show the prototype Lyngdorf 8 x 400 Watt class D amplifier based a new patented class D amplification technology which is the brainwork of my co-founders of Purifi Audio, Bruno Putzeys and Lars Risbo. This is the first of any class of audio amplifier which is completely indifferent to frequency, level and impedance variations. The actual performance is difficult to measure due to limitations to even the best test equipment (AP555). But we are specifying max 0,00015% THD+Noise, at ANY frequency 20-20KHz at 100 W/4 ohms. Intermodulation distortion WAY below any other technology. Notice the output impedance - scaled in micro Ohm!," Peter Lyngdorf

George, on Bruno’s LinkedIn profile, it does not look like he’s with Hypex anymore? That’s why I wondered if this might be something new.