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
@ricevs Yea I thought he was still in the process of seriously evaluating them, not necessarily wimping out, note that he is a distributor and I bet he will start carrying what he thinks folks will love.

 Where his post was helpful was saying the GAN amps sounded different, like night and day, and be it GAN or mosfet class D, they can either be average or world class, depending on various factors. That's what I got out of it.

@georgehifi  The search I did was try to to find one for sale:
Agon members posted ad history:

mountainsong (10-11-18)
$1850.00 10/10

placetas90 (8-26-18)
$2600.00 10/10
Technics ST-G30 music server plus SU-G30 Combo less than a month old!

Madavid0 (4-13-18)
$1500.00 9/10 free shipping
Technics SU-G30 Network Amplifier - MQA - PRICE DROP!

Madavid0-on audiomart: (03-29-18) $2200.00 9/10

The music Room $1611.00

zachjjackson (1-30-17)(3-13-17)$2799.00 10/10

I was hoping one of those members would comment.

Aolmrd,

Did you read the review on the above link about the Van Alstine amps that creamed the Veritas?  Did you also notice in that review a link to a review of the $2000 in black/$2200 in silver Van Alstine stereo amp that also creamed the Veritas?  The $12,000 Veritas is not a reference amp if a $2200 class A/B amp creams it.  A person who has borrowed the $22,000 Merrill 116s should really get a pair of the mono Van Alstine amps ($5000) and compare.....don't you think?  If they both cream the Veritas (according to the reviews) then it could be a fun shoot out.  This is what I am talking about.....actual A/Bs versus real stuff.....not just the manufacturers old stuff that cost almost half as much.  I would hope any manufacturer that makes an amp for twice as much as the old one would sound better.....if it did not they would not be in business long.  But what really matters is how does the new technology compare to the many other amps out there.  Looks like we are in for a long ride as the comparisons are just not coming in.

Ok not sure if this will work, it's a hifishark page of results, North America region, country-US, in $-US. Nothing for sale atm but you can access the sold/expired tab and all the ads with archived asking prices will be presented.

click on each one and it takes you to the original ad (except Audiogon does not display prices for expired/sold ads)

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=SU-G30&f=S84rsQoNBgA

Na! it’s a remote. looks like we’ll never know, a gentle out for you.

Cheers George