2. amps-preamps
  3. 167811-96

Anyone hear the Class D Audio Mini GaN 5 amp yet?

Looks intriguing but not much out there on it yet so wondering if anyone here has had a chance to hear it or, even better, had a chance to compare it to other amps. Thinking of taking a flier on this amp given the tech and price, but we all know implementation is everything so looking for some real-world impressions before ponying up any dough. Also, please let’s not make this yet another measurement debate — I’m purely interested in sonic impressions here so take your measurement comments elsewhere. Thanks.
soix

Showing 6 responses by sebrof

sebrof's avatar
sebrof
834 posts
 
I have two on order (to use as monoblocks), should be here Tuesday. I use PP KT-88 amps now to drive Altec 416s in a DIY box from 800 Hz down and I'm curious how these will sound.
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
834 posts
 
Thanks George, I don't believe they can be bridged and I don't plan to. Each GaN amp will be driving a 16-ohm Altec 416 (95 db? 98 db?) so no need for more power.
I did check with the manufacturer and was told no issue with running just one channel.
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
834 posts
 
I saw the Orchard amps but they are out of stock.

sebrof's avatar
sebrof
834 posts
 
Why don’t you just take the damn 2A3 amp out of the system and see how the GaN 5 sounds running your speakers full range or even just running from 800Hz and up? Would be useful info.
'Cause I'd have to build a passive crossover (I use an active XO).
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
834 posts
 

I received the Mini Gan 5 amps 2 days ago and I’ve got some listening in.

After thinking about it I realize that I may not be a good reference for these amps for 2 reasons: 1. I am using them only below 800 Hz (I have a 2A3 amp for the highs) and 2. I have no other reference for any other amplifier in this system except for a pair of Quicksilver M-60 PPP Kt-88 monoblocks that I’ve been running for years.

But having said that… 

These guys are no joke. I have lots more listening to do but at this point I believe they sound better than the tube amps and I have no desire to swap back. The bass is much cleaner and tighter as I suppose would be expected, but it’s not lean IMO. Sound is nice and full but not tubby which the tube amps could be on certain songs at certain (higher) volume. I don’t hear any of the negatives associated with Class D amps but no way for me to tell if I would hear that with any other Si class D amp, or a class A/B amp for that matter.

 As is for all things of this nature time will tell, I may completely change my mind after some more listening. And how these amps do playing above 800 Hz I have no idea. But for $750 I’m impressed, and a bit surprised.


sebrof's avatar
sebrof
834 posts
 
I leant one of the GaN 5 amps to a friend who has a SS amp MSRP in the $5,000 range, and who also has had class D amps in his system. He liked the GaN 5 amp a lot, not as much as his SS amp but said the GaN 5 bass and dynamics were excellent, grain free highs. A winner compared to the other class D amps he's had. He thought that if he had a tube preamp it might be a great combination but in his system the GaN 5 was just a tad "clean n lean" compared to his SS amp.
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