GaN FET Amps vs. Traditional Class D Amps


I'm trying to get a better understanding of GaN FET amplifier technology. Whenever I see a write up on GaN FET based amplifiers they are always compared against class A or class A/B amps. What I'm more interested in is how they compare to the current generation of 'traditional' class D designed amplifiers, both technically and sonically. Can anyone explain it to me?

 

Thank you.

mcraghead

Showing 1 response by hifiguy42

I've been using a Classe CA-D200 class D amp for years.  I don't know which "type" it is, but I've been very happy with it in my main system.  I admit I haven't auditioned anything else in a long long time (I was using a B&K amp before the Classe) but I don't feel as though I'm "missing" anything. After visiting what seemed like 200 audio systems during AXPONA I was delighted to discover my system sounds pretty darned good in comparison to a lot of the megabuck systems I heard (I know, I know, the show systems are set up in less-than-ideal acoustic spaces). I probably should bring home a big old A/B beast to compare, but I'm experiencing a mix of laziness/satisfaction that makes it difficult to take that first step. My son and I listened to Paranoid Eyes from PF's The Final Cut (2016 vinyl reissue) on Saturday and the combination of microdetails, midrange sweetness (piano) and low frequency slam were breathtaking.