GaN FET Amps vs. Traditional Class D Amps

That blog post by buckeyeamp is your typical ASR tripe. He whines that the GAN transistor shows little measurable improvement over mosfets used in most class d amps. 
 

So what? We are interested in how things sound. Like the OP I too am interested in how GANfet based amps SOUND compared to the usual Class-D offerings.

The limited amount of UCD and ice power amps I have heard so far were all smooth, clean, and lacking realism or lifelike sound the better class A/B amplifiers can achieve.

My GaN FET amps sound every bit as good as my tube amps without the heat.

Thank you for all that took the time to reply. I appreciate it. 

I know I wasn't specific and was probably confusing as well. What I meant by 'traditional' was anything that is not GaN FET based. I should probably ask an additional question. Besides GaN FET class D amps, are there many other class D types out there?
 

I should probably have stated up front that I know almost nothing about class D amps other than they typically seem to be smaller than class A/B and class A amps, they are considered to be more efficient and because of that typically don't get as hot as those other two classes, and some might say that they have less "body" to the sound or can sound lean. I'm not saying that those are fair assessments. They are just general statements. I've heard some cheap class D amps and they can sound cheap, but not always. I've heard some better class D amps (4 figures+) that have sounded very good. I haven't gotten to A/B compare any against class A or class A/B, nor have I been able to compare GaN FET based class D amps against non-GaN FET based class D amps. 

I guess one of the reasons that I asked the question in the first place is that what I'm hearing about GaN FET based amps makes it sound like it's a better technology, but better how? In what tangible way? Does it improve the sound (I know that's a loaded question - sorry). Basically I'm trying to understand what all of the fuss is about. I'm not trying to bash any particular technology. I'm just trying to understand. 
 

Thank you. 

GanFET technology and Class D amplifiers both represent advancements in amplifier design, but they have distinct characteristics and advantages. Here’s a comparison of the two:

### 1. **Technology Basis**
- **GanFET Technology**: Utilizes Gallium Nitride transistors, which offer superior performance characteristics compared to traditional silicon-based transistors. This includes faster switching speeds and better thermal performance.
- **Class D Amplifiers**: Typically use MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) and operate by rapidly switching the output devices on and off to control the power delivered to the load.

### 2. **Sound Quality**
- **GanFETs**: Known for producing a sound quality that can rival Class A amplifiers, with a smooth upper midrange and controlled bass. They are often described as having a more natural sound due to their minimal feedback requirements, which helps avoid harshness [[3]](https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=183615.0).
- **Class D**: While modern Class D amplifiers have improved significantly in sound quality, they can still exhibit artifacts such as distortion and ringing, especially at lower frequencies. Traditional Class D designs have often been criticized for their sound quality compared to linear amplifiers [[1]](https://futureaudiophile.com/what-the-hell-is-a-gan-gallium-nitride-amp-and-why-is-it-changing-the-way-audiophiles-now-see-power-amps/).

### 3. **Efficiency**
- **GanFETs**: Achieve efficiencies of up to 95%, which means they waste very little energy as heat. This allows for smaller and lighter designs without the need for large heatsinks [[3]](https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=183615.0).
- **Class D**: Also highly efficient, typically around 90-95%, but may not achieve the same level of performance in terms of sound quality as GanFETs when designed with lower-quality components [[1]](https://futureaudiophile.com/what-the-hell-is-a-gan-gallium-nitride-amp-and-why-is-it-changing-the-way-audiophiles-now-see-power-amps/).

### 4. **Size and Weight**
- **GanFETs**: Their high efficiency allows for compact designs, making them lighter and easier to integrate into various audio setups [[1]](https://futureaudiophile.com/what-the-hell-is-a-gan-gallium-nitride-amp-and-why-is-it-changing-the-way-audiophiles-now-see-power-amps/).
- **Class D**: Generally compact as well, but the size can vary significantly based on the design and components used.

### 5. **Load Handling**
- **GanFETs**: Capable of driving difficult loads, such as planar or electrostatic speakers, effectively. This versatility makes them suitable for a wider range of applications [[1]](https://futureaudiophile.com/what-the-hell-is-a-gan-gallium-nitride-amp-and-why-is-it-changing-the-way-audiophiles-now-see-power-amps/).
- **Class D**: While many Class D amplifiers can handle various loads, they may struggle with very low impedance loads unless specifically designed for such applications.

### 6. **Cost and Availability**
- **GanFETs**: Currently, GanFET amplifiers can be more expensive due to the cost of Gallium Nitride technology and the relatively new market presence. However, prices are expected to decrease as the technology matures [[1]](https://futureaudiophile.com/what-the-hell-is-a-gan-gallium-nitride-amp-and-why-is-it-changing-the-way-audiophiles-now-see-power-amps/).
- **Class D**: Generally more established in the market, with a wide range of options available at various price points, making them more accessible to consumers.

### Conclusion
In summary, GanFET technology offers several advantages over traditional Class D amplifiers, particularly in sound quality and efficiency. While Class D amplifiers have made significant strides in performance, GanFETs represent a newer, potentially superior option for audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound with the benefits of modern technology.

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Learn more:
1. [What the Hell is a GaN Amp and Why Audiophiles Care](https://futureaudiophile.com/what-the-hell-is-a-gan-gallium-nitride-amp-and-why-is-it-changing-the-way-audiophiles-now-see-power-amps/)
2. [Orchard Audio Bosc (GaNFET Class D) vs. Hypex & Co. ? | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum](https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/orchard-audio-bosc-ganfet-class-d-vs-hypex-co.15980/)
3. [Class D Showdown: Purifi vs. Gan5](https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=183615.0)

@mcraghead - This is such a hard question to answer. I own both (AGD Audion and Nuprime AMG One) but still couldn’t tell you how the technology affects the sound. They would have to be designed by the same person for me to know. I think @mapman gave you all that can be said about this. You would need to listen to different amps and pick the one that sounds best to your ears. Good luck.