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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
klh007
313 posts
 
Jonnie, Add to your list of "Digital Amps" the Exogal combination of Comet and Ion, the 2 forming a direct digital amp, the culmination of Jim Kinne's work continuing on from Wadia roots.
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

"What’s shocking in 2019 is how few audiophiles are aware of this revolutionary product category. There are reviews in the past 5 years, starting with Jim Merod in PFO (reviewing NAD’s M2 back then)."

Hi Jonnie22

I wouldn't necessarily call the Agon forum posters the most progressive bunch of folks out there. I think the readers are more progressive but many of the posters here are unfortunately the end of a dug in generation that is having a hard time dealing with certain innovative changes taking place in the hobby.

I also wouldn't necessarily call many of the HEA folks practicing audiophiles anymore. They're more folks belonging to a historic chapter of audio equipment collectors. At the same time it's refreshing to see these threads advancing at a rapid pace compared to just a few months ago.

welcome to the forums

Michael Green

ketchup
459 posts
 
Nord Acoustics will be releasing a NC1200 based amplifier for under $3500
Still too expensive.  They need to sell a kit version of this module.  I'd rather put it in my own enclosure and save 1-2 grand.

tweak1
870 posts
 
The new Nord price is pounds, not USD

from what I've studied such amps benefit greatly from module isolation

Meaning, the expensive chassis is much more than a pretty face 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
It was stated earlier in this thread that "there are no truly digital amplifiers".

This is very wrong. They’ve been out for 20 years -starting with the TacT Millennium in 1998 and reviewed (that year) by Robert Greene of The Absolute Sound.
There are no truly digital amplifiers. This is a fact. I refer you to the white papers of Bruno Putzeys. Take it up with him. Here is a link to a paper presented to the Audio Engineering Society in 2006:

https://www.hypex.nl/img/upload/doc/an_wp/WP_All_amps_are_analogue.pdf
There are of course class D amps with digital inputs, but the amplifier portion is still class D.
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