Class-D Audio USA have just released their new GaN amp at the CES

singintheblues

Any news on these GaN amps?

Yeah I asked JA of Stereophile just today if there’s a chance he could review/measure the new Technics SU-R1000
https://www.stereophile.com/content/technics-su-r1000-gan-integrated-has-everything-bar-speakers
as it’s getting great reviews, this is the lastest one.
https://7review.com/technics-su-r1000-review/

Cheers George

I`m open to the new tech i just do not want to waste my or a manufactures time if i`m going to hear the same signature that i have heard in the past.

I think it’s just going to be more of the same, but at $699! instead of >$2k

The only one mentioned here that has pushed the Class-D envelope with it’s 1.5mhz switching frequency and output filtering of it, is the >$20k Technics SE-R1, and maybe the new affordable integrated SU-R1000 as someone mentioned.

Looks like (if you can believe the manufacturers specs) the $9k SU-R1000 can double wattage from 150w 8ohm to 300w 4ohm, which many Class-D have trouble with, but again nothing about doubling 4ohm to 2ohm.
https://www.radiokoerner.de/technics-su-r1000-reference-class-stereo-vollverstaerker.html (you have to translate)

Cheers George

every Class-D amp available unnatural much like when CD players first hit the market.

Very good analogy, and still have a way to go just like CD did. Technics with the SE-R1 have advanced it more than anyone, others to me have just gone sideways.
Don’t think, even these USA made GaN poweramps for $699!!! are going to be the answer either
https://ibb.co/jy8wpNS

https://premium-audio.com/

Cheers George

Their main website is very dead and empty of product, it says reconstructing
https://www.classdaudio.com/

The new GaN poweramp is $699!!!!!
Is on their premium website, same problems as above
https://ibb.co/jy8wpNS
https://premium-audio.com/



Cheers George

Here is what Paul from ClassDaudio / Premium Audio sent me to put up. 
 

Hi George,
It's looking like it will be one to two months. We upgraded the RCA and XLR jacks and also added some more protection circuitry. Now we have to wait for new PBC's to get here and also for cases to be finished. The case work takes some time. if you can let everyone know, that would be great!
Thanks, Tom

Cheers George

Was a release date mentioned?

Nah, that's all I got from him.

TOM! if your watching, got any idea of a release date?

Cheers George

Have Technical specifications for the new Class-D GaN amp been posted somewhere?

Nothing yet, just this preliminary brochure has been done that he sent me last night. He (Tom) should/will be watching this thread if you have any questions, as I gave him a link to it.

Here is a link to the brochure... http://premium-audio.com/brochure/premiumbrochure.pdf
Please keep in mind, this is the prototype. The final version has super nice gold RCA’s and nicer XLR’s.
Let anyone know, if they have questions, they can contact me at sales@premium-audio.com of through the website at www.premium-audio.com and www.premiumaudioproducts.com
I’m working 7 days and nights a week now trying to get things finished... lots in the works. I will try to answer emails as soon as I can.

Cheers George

Thanks for the 'insider's view', George. If the development of D-amps continues at the current pace, the 60 lb.blocks can finally stop heating listening rooms....

Not to mention the spinal damage every time we have to move or clean them.
I want to see a GaN Class-d amp like Technics SE-R1 with it's 1.5mhz switching frequency for around $1500, it's not out of the question, just needs a different component change and little heatsinking. 

Cheers George 

Just got this from Tom from ClassDaudio https://www.classdaudio.com/ . $1595 they are on the money, if it’s a good one, their hiend site www.premium-audio.com

Hi George,
Our amp in this brochure attached is the sort of final prototype. The final version being made now for sale has a few upgrades like super nice gold RCA jacks and metal edge XLR’s. These are not going to be available in kits or amp boards as they are complex and expensive to make. The prices for the amps as of now are $1595.00 to $2295.00. We will also have multi channel amps and other matching products coming out soon. You can see they’re being marketed under the name Premium Audio Products as they are more expensive and different product than our Class D Audio amps.

I’ve attached a simple brochure we made up for the CES show. Our amp was displayed (and playing music) at CES by the company that manufactures the Gallium Nitride Transistors, EPC. Here’s how it went:

I wanted to give you a quick update on CES. As I told you, EPC has our amp in their suite at CES now. I went out there to help them setup our equipment. I was a little disappointed when i got there to find out that Technics had dropped off their integrated amp with them for the show also. I thought it would totally take all the attention away from our amp... and to top it off, they asked if I would also setup the Technics amp for them. Technics sent a pair of bookshelf speakers with the amp, and we had also provided a set of older NHT bookshelf speakers (hot rodded a little by me). We also provided a little USB music player we made up here with a 7" touch screen.

Next we turned on our amp and started playing music and, everyone (EPC people) in the room got a huge smile on their face and eyes popping out of their head. They all started firing questions at me about the amp. Next, we powered up the Technics amp expecting so much. As it turned out it just was not the least bit exciting. I’m sure most of this was due to the Klipsch speakers connected to it.

We were invited to come by Tuesday after the show ended for some beer and wine. When we got there, we were kind of treated like rock stars and everyone knew who we were. They told us that our amp sounded so good, they didn’t even turn on the Technics amp.

Since this is an industry show, I don’t know if having our amp there will really help us so much, and they have so much serious technology in the room light years ahead of our amp... but they told me our amp drew more attention just because you can only look at the other products, but our amp was playing some really nice sounds and grabbing attention. That was only day one, and I had to come back yesterday so I can get back to work. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Tom

That Technics amp above is not the massive SE-R1 GaN poweramp, but their network/integrated streamer GaN amp the SU-G30, it’s like a Swiss army knife of integrateds.

Cheers George