Thanks for reporting on this rh67. Enjoy your amps & please keep us informed on improvements as they break in.
All the best
All the best
AGD Audion GaN Class D In The House
During the last decade i have managed to try in my home 95% of the Class D amps offered to the public these include the so called break thru offerings of the last year or two. While there has been progress the class D signature remained and this included what was lacking in class D amplification.
When i heard about AGD i thought here we go again because i had been there and done that so many times with class D but the GaN tech had me intrigued so i bought a pair of the Audion amps, i thought i would give class D one more go.
I received the amps two days ago and have about twelve hours of listening. From the first minute onwards these amps had my full attention. There is no connection between this class D amp and class D i have heard in the pass no connection what so ever. Forget classes A, A/B, D or whatever this is just an excellent sounding amp, it delivers music that belongs at the upper levels of Hi End audio reproduction.
It`s only been a couple of days of listening but i`m so taken back at the quality of sound i just had to share. I will add more the more i listen, good or bad.
When i heard about AGD i thought here we go again because i had been there and done that so many times with class D but the GaN tech had me intrigued so i bought a pair of the Audion amps, i thought i would give class D one more go.
I received the amps two days ago and have about twelve hours of listening. From the first minute onwards these amps had my full attention. There is no connection between this class D amp and class D i have heard in the pass no connection what so ever. Forget classes A, A/B, D or whatever this is just an excellent sounding amp, it delivers music that belongs at the upper levels of Hi End audio reproduction.
It`s only been a couple of days of listening but i`m so taken back at the quality of sound i just had to share. I will add more the more i listen, good or bad.
186 responses Add your response
| Post removed |
arcticdeth Cool, let us know what you think. |
russ69 One attraction of class D is lighter weight. There are many ways to look at things, my 38k 100lb SET amp puts out 10 watts both amps are close in sound, the SET costs 5 times as much. For some the AGD would be considered a bargain. |
@cal3713 Yes, it is interesting idea. Not only for the possible upgrade, but also in case of power element failure. Performing musicians enjoy ease of tube change in comparison to power transistor replacement. The only negative I can see is the longer connection that might radiate electrical noise (become an antenna). The main rule in any switching design, like SMPS, is to keep connections as short as possible. |
mapman True, it`s part marketing but also a brilliant way to upgrade the amp simply by replacing the tube. In Dec. 2020 the tube was upgraded to what AGD calls the MK11. I never heard the original tube so no idea of the extent of the upgrade. |
lalitk Pre, built for me a one off Lampazator DHT/Dac, LTA pre and Supratek DHT/6SN7. Speakers, Magico M3, Raidho D-1, DeVore Super 9`s and Wilson Watt/Puppy 5.1. These amps will be paired with the Wilsons there is some magic going on with the Wilson and M3`s when played thru these amps. Wife said that our house is starting to look like a stereo store so some of these speakers will be leaving but not the Wilsons. |
@mapman It's half marketing tool, half future upgrade path. They take old tubes and put the amplifying transistors in it. I believe at this point in time it's all for show, but eventually they'll release new amplification modules and you can just swap out the tube and get a whole new amplifier. Pretty clever idea if it really does get used as such. |
“I would say that the AGD is closer to the sound of the Wavac than the Pass or LM.” @rh67, I hear your sentiments and that’s saying a lot about AGD amps. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying these amps so much. I would like to know rest of your system, like speakers and preamp. If I ever built a second system, the Audion’s would be on top of my list. |
+1 twoleftears Mike has been promoting them for over a year. Here's one of his YTVs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ungtogUJc_U |
I heard the AGD Audion amps at the audio show in Tampa Florida and they were my favorite room paired with Ocean Way stand mount speakers. I almost took a pair home to try. I'd still like to hear them in my own house. I'm jealous OP. As far as other class D, I've had the Rowland 535 in one of my systems and thought it was great but just not exactly what I was looking for. I would love to have small monoblocks like the AGD or Cherry (never heard them but like form factor) right at my speakers with short speaker cable runs and fully balanced. Enjoy the AGDs! Everyone's system is so different that negative opinions above should carry little weight. |
I can't believe the level of negativity in the responses in this thread. This is one of the things that really afflicts the Audiogon forum. One kind of post is made when someone gets a new piece of equipment, is excited about it, and wants to share with others. People will stop sharing if this is the kind of reception they get. Only one respondent has actually heard the AGD's. One doesn't know the difference between 95 and 95%, and questions the OP's bona fides. One dismisses all class D amps, despite the fact that the OP points out that for him the AGD is significantly different to most of the others. Let's hope this is early days and that subsequent responses are more constructive, or at least more open-minded. |
roxy54 Thank you! I have been pleasantly surprised. |
arcticdeth I was like you before i bought and brought these amps into my home. These amps surprised me that`s all i can say. |
kijanki Never mentioned 95 amps but 95%. If you really want to know or experience something you need to bring into your home and i do, i need to know for myself. |
rsf507.. It`s really not necessary to do that. I do not want this tread to turn into what most class D treads turn into. So i will refrain mentioning names of other class D amps that others like. The AGD goes well beyond what i had expected and i`m just listening. |
lalitk..... I love class A and SET amps, i have a Pass XA25 and the Wavac EC-300B and a LM 508ia. I would say that the AGD is closer to the sound of the Wavac than the Pass or LM. What has me excited about this amp is not because it`s the best class D that i have heard but one of the best amps i have heard and what i`m hearing especially at it`s price point. My opinion is not from what i have read but real in home experience which is what counts as opposed to hearing equipment at a show or dealer. A couple weeks ago i had asked here if anyone had experience with AGD amps and got no response so i decided to put my money where my mouth is and purchased the AGD Audion amps, i never comment on anything unless i hear it in my home. |
