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Best Class D GaNFET Amp Comparison. Who to invite?

The time has come to put to the people a listening test of some of the better

current "Contenders" in the race for Best Class D GaNFET Sound.

 

The existing media can not manage such an undertaking for many reasons.

This event will help consumers decide which products best meet their needs.

 

I have not heard all the players but will suggest these names for inclusion in this comparison.

 

1. Mola Mola 

2. Atmasphere 

3. AGD

4. Bel Canto

5. NAD

6. ?

7. ?

8. ?

 

Finale Aavik vs winner of above 

 

Event will be held either in Seattle or the Bay Area.

 

We can support about three more brands in this comparison.  

It will be setup as an A/B audience listening event

comparison starting with the two lowest MSRP products.

 

 

After the seven A/B comparisons one amp would emerge as the audience favorite.

This winner would then go head to head with the Aavik in the 8th round.

 

I will plan this for a July-August 2023 event open to the public.

 

I now open this to further discussion, ideas and suggestions for the last three slots.

 

 

 

128x128jeffseight
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,377 posts
 

You seem to have read Stereophile’s recent review of the Ayer amplifier. Did you purchase it @cundare2 ?

cundare2
268 posts
 

milpai:

I’ll be purchasing an EX-8 2.0 shortly. Right now, I’m still working out which configuration to go with.

By the way, I think Stereophile had a total of 4 reviews of the EX-8 -- Ken’s original, an Atkinson follow-up, a "shoot-out" with the Cambridge Audio Edge, and the recent EX-8 2.0 update.

Despite all that, Stereophile never published the promised evaluation of the EX-8’s integrated headphone amp. That’s an issue for me b/c I’ll be using its sole unbalanced pre output to drive a powered sub. There’s thus no way to attach an external HP amp that doesn’t have balanced inputs (e.g., my unbalanced Class A Audeze Deckard).

In general, I would never consider powering phones from an integrated’s built-in amp. But in this case, well, maybe! I’ve read numerous comments about just how outstanding the EX-8’s modular DAC and headphone amp are, at least within the price range. More Charlie magic, I guess!

Still, I’d like to find an impartial third-party formal review before I commit myself to the possibility of having to buy a new headphone amp that has balanced inputs.

Sorry to sorta digress...

mihow
23 posts
 

Hi Jeff-  just reading about that shootout event- did it happen? Mytek is now shipping ours:

https://mytek.audio/shop/empire-stereo-monoblock-2#attr=11

If you are repeating the event please reach out. Best Regards, Michal at Mytek

Mytek Audio of New York has been working on our own version of the GanFET amps and we just began shipping the Empire Stereo Monoblocks which are exceptional. Tube like top and midrange, non fatiguing for hours of listening, detail and resolution throughout the whole spectrum, transistor tight controlled bass, the best of both worlds (tubes or transistors). Minimal feedback, behavior reminiscent of Class A, they work well without feedback too. IMO this technology is so good it will be a dominant amplifier technology in 10 years. There is a magic to the smooth velvety tube like top the no class AB amp can do due to absolutely linear transfer function of the amp that does not need feedback to correct the AD transistor curve. We just showed The Empire Stereo  Monoblocks at Munich High End 2024 and had repeated visitors returning to the room again and again because of this. 


 

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

This amp has been promised for 3 years.......is it really finally shipping? If I order one today......what exact day will I receive it?

This will need to be A/Bed with the new $11.5K AGD mono GaN amps, the Orchard dual mono stereo GaN amps with WBT jacks ($4.3K), the Atmasphere GaN amps ($6.1K), the VTV dual mono stereo high powered Purifi amps with my mods (less than $3K) and the Coda 5.5 class A/B amp ($6400) so see where it fits into the serious audio category. I really do hope it is finally available and that it is really something special. I am always rooting for the next best thing. However, it will be what it will be. I be happy....I hope you are too.

mihow
23 posts
 

Not sure if the event happened last year, but for the next one, please consider the Empire Stereo Monoblocks we have been shipping for the last several months. The amp smooth top was very much appreciated at two recent DC HiFi Group events where, it was preferred over  some of the traditional Class D (non GanFET) brands mentioned above here. 

Here are our recent communications on the Mytek GanFET Amp:

GanFET Power Amplifiers is the new hi-fi buzz word for a reason: this is one of the most significant recent key breakthrough technologies which will revolutionize audiophile market.

Why? In one word: because GanFET is a Class D circuit that sounds like Class A. There is no question that class D had a major impact on pro audio in the last decade: almost all concert speakers and self powered pro speakers now use Class D amplifiers because they are cost effective, simple, light , 85% efficient and sound "good enough" for general sound applications. But traditional MOSFET Class D with its harsh top, flat soundstage and "12bit" sound quality are not "good enough" for many audiophiles seeking true analog musicality which asks for proper handling of all the finest sound details without being masked with digital grunge. The GanFET transistors, introduced just few years ago, are the true game changer here: suddenly Class D not only has all the familiar advantages of cost and convenience but can now actually sound very good and _better_ than the ubiquitous Class A/B.

Mytek is one of the  handful of the high end audio companies currently manufacturing GanFET amplifiers. Having worked with the technology for over 3 years we can confidently say that we can get the GanFET amps to sound like tube amp on topwhile retaining tightly controlled transistor bass, the best from both worlds, simply impossible to accomplish with a Class A/B amp.

GanFET amps:

- can have top and upper midrange silky smooth like a tube amp

- have precisely controlled bass response

- the amp transfer characteristic is a straight line which doesn't need to be feedback   corrected (unlike class A/B) 

- have up to 95% efficiency ( 5W of heat per 100W of sound- no heatsinks necessary)

- can operate with minimum feedback and WITHOUT feedback 

- can operate with digital to digital input

- will be the dominant audiophile amplifier technology in the next decade because they have many advantages and pretty much no downsides.

Solidly build Mytek Empire Stereo Monoblock, a 2x400W Amplifier at $9995 has been winning every amplifier shootout since we started shipping them earlier this year. The smooth tube like top, combined with lightness and precision is the magic which keeps listeners engaged for hours. 

Michal Jurewicz, Founder and Chief Designer


"The Class D GaNFet Empire exhibits a hybrid of tube-like, analog soundstage and a modern character of fast transients and bass extension that is oh so real," said DCHiFi Goup Founder/President John Gatski. "It delivers all this without a hint of harshness or thinness — at any resolution."

"There was no denying the immersion, extremely large soundstage of tremendous scale, true tone and extension of the Mytek playback. This was one of the largest soundstages I heard at the show; the sound was rich, like an audio bath in Avalon's Andy Newmark-powered grooves, and Roxy's dizzying vocals, twinkling percussion and soulful melodies." Ken Micaleff, Stereophile

https://mytek.audio/shop/empire-ganfet-stereo-monoblock-introductory-special-free-b-amp-2#attr=11

 

 

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