GaN Class-D feature packed amplifier from GaN USA themselves limited supply!!!



I started this thread again, because of what the the old one turned into

Hi, here for $995 USD  is an integrated GaN Class-D amp with DAC!!!! all made by GaN USA, so you know it "should" be good. 🤞
(Could very well be the best of all GaN amps)🙏
(single private purchase only for $995 USD!!!, not available for multi purchase for commercial Class-D manufactures)

But you’ll have to put it in a box, comes with all you need, the amp and power supply, and dac??!!!
(if you can build simple kits you can build this, would it quite simple to make up)

You have with it:
1: Volume control
2: 3 x switchable inputs
3: 2 x Analog stereo inputs rca & mini jack
4: 2 x digital spdif inputs, optical and coax (yes it has a dac in it too)
5: And this is real neat, user variable negative feedback!!! for those that don’t like too much for the sake of "better" measurements" and want a more organic sound, all for just $1.3K
6: Laptop configurable "Audio Canvas III" plugin software via the DSP Scamp connection for many configurations

https://gansystems.com/evaluation-boards/gs-evb-aud-xxx1-gs/

https://gansystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GS-EVB-AUD-xxx1-GS_Technical-Manual_Rev-200526.pdf

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/GaN-Systems/GS-EVB-AUD-BUNDLE1-GS?qs=%2Fha2pyFaduiA8%252BkstyM1t3E4Gpu84Jg01zhZInYPlK0mqvHoBC9sIXn6WX3DedMq


Cheers George


128x128georgehifi

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

@georgehifi  So far as I can make out no-one is being a detractor. Just simply stating fact.


Your original thread included a link to Amirm's review. He does not attack it either; instead as I have pointed out, substantiated the idea that its excellent for its intended purpose, which is to demo and evaluate what the GaNFETs are capable of. This isn't a bad thing. Its simply a thing.


As the unit sits, if you were to drive Alexia's with it I think you might be surprised how well it could do with that load until its SMPS limits its current. A set of heatsinks could fix that. Here's the manual: https://gansystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GaN-Systems-Class-D-Amplifier-and-SMPS-EVB-User-Gu...It suggests that the amp can support 400 watts/4 ohms if heatsinks are employed. But in the little time I had to peruse the manual I didn't find how they suggest the heatsinks be applied. The point I'm making here is that since this amp employs GaNFET output devices, its output impedance will be only a few milliohms even in the zero feedback mode. This will mean that as long as the amp is not being overloaded, it will behave as a voltage source into the 0.9 ohms of the Alexia. I'm not saying it will play to full power- that will depend on heatsinks and the power supply used (which won't be the one in the kit).


That 0.9 ohm load only shows at a very narrow range of frequencies in the Alexia, so I really doubt its a problem. Wilson themselves claim its not, so to maintain your position you'll be up against them.

Any buyer should be aware that since this board is meant for evaluation, it cannot sustain full power into 4 ohms since it has no heatsinks. For that reason its paired with a Switch Mode Power Supply that limits its 4 ohm power to 114 watts.


There is an extensive review of this product on audioscience.com: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/gan-systems-amplifier-eval-board-measurem...

You can see the power measurements there.


This is an excellent platform for seeing what GaNFETs can do. But as an audio amp for high end audio use you are probably better off looking elsewhere, although I can see the price being attractive. Apparently Amirm (the reviewer) felt that way too- pay attention to his conclusion at the end of his review.


But if your interest is building a class D amplifier, you might want to look into  https://www.classdaudio.com/
They sell more powerful modules and for a lot less money, although their modules cannot accept a digital input (nor are they GaNFET). You can then get a SMPS from https://connexelectronic.com/ and hook them up. Pay attention to the specs so that the power supply you get will work with the module you choose.