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Gallium Nitride GaN Class D Amplifiers

In my recent research for a possible upgrade to my current amp (Benchmark (AHB2) I was reading about the new higher end design for Class D. I'm very interested in learning more about these new GaN(Gallium Nitride) designs. Three companies are offering some very well reviewed products and they are not going crazy with Watts per channel:

Orchard Audio offers a 250 watt Amp

AGD a 100 watt

Atmos-Phere also a 100 watt

What's interesting  is while Orchard is a new company AGD and Atmos-Phere have been around a while producing high end Tube amps. In almost every review it is noted how these newer designs sound like Class A or Tubes with all the benefits of Solid State. One reviewer couldn't go back to his tube amps after extended listening to the Orchard. No wonder AGD and Atmos-Phere are getting into this technology. It's very exciting as these amps are highly efficient turning over 90% of the power they draw into sound compared to about 78% with A/B designs and I believe even significantly lower for Class A. They run cool and usually weigh between 10-28lbs. I plan to do more investigation. Small size and light weight with decent power is very attractive. There are also mono block offerings for more power if needed. These are not cheap Class D products. They are well designed and constructed.

Orchard Audio's base model is around $2700and their Dual mono version with larger power supplies is $5500.

Both AGD and Atoms-Phere are $5000

Mono blocks for each are about twice the cost.

Has anyone had any experience, demos, etc ., with these types of GaN Class D amps?

 

jfrmusic

Showing 3 responses by izjjzi

izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi
102 posts
 

I owned the AGD Gran Vivace and they were spectacular. I had an Aesthetix Calypso linestage (tube) preamp in the chain and it was the best sound I've had in my room to date, save for one aspect - low end (reverb). Back to this in a second... what set AGD apart from the others is that they purchased all of the GaN modules that were designed for audio applications whereas all others only had access to modules for other purposes. I do not know if this has changed, but it seemed to be a true story a year or so ago. Back to where GaN fell short for me -

Enya "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" - Opening deep synthesizer and second, John Rutter: "Pie Jesu" around the 1:02 minute mark. Both are Qobuz. What is missing? Power and emotion. My question is, why? I do not think other amps are embellishing the sense of power and scale. I am wondering what it means that GaN is not accomplishing the same? Is it more accurate? Controlling the drivers too well? 

izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi
102 posts
 

@atmasphere Respect and regards to you and to Alberto.

Please, it is not bass I am referring to but low-end reverb(?). The two tracks I previously mentioned involve a synthesizer and organ, not bass guitar or other. I own a pair of REL 212SX and yes, Billy Eillish tracks and others hit my chest like a truck. What I am describing is the emotion of deep notes, resonance (reverb?) that you can feel. My Accuphase A36 and PASS LABS x260.8s knocked those tracks out of the park, but were muted... benign with GaN. If this piece can be solved by GaN amplifier manufacturers, GaN will be my last stop. That said, I will soon be auditioning a new player in the GaN space (ArgentPur) some time this month or so.

izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi
102 posts
 

@atmasphere I would love if you could try the two tracks I mentioned with your various amps and report findings. Maybe PM me? I am super curious. 

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