What are the best GaN Amplifiers available today?

I spent about 12 hours today listening to the GAN400 on the LRS+. It was really good, many times I had to stop my work and listen. I am so glad that I got this amp back. However, there is a hint of hardness on top that my very neutral system conveys. Though, it is not something to lose sleep over.

When I had my CODA #16 on this same system that slight bit of hardness goes away. You also get even more thump with the CODA #16 (150 watts vs 400 for the GAN400).

The GAN400 is close to being one of my best amps, just not totally there yet. In stock form it likely the best Class D I have owned. I do not want to damn it with faint praise. It is an amp to check out and maybe with a different preamp could be perfect for a lot of people.

I was using the Peachtree pre amp that comes with the GAN 400 Bundle @ $3495 for both. Loved the amp...disliked the pre amp. Insert the Audio GD HE1 -XLR SE 10 tube pre amp and Voila'....Magic!

👍 Orchard Audio.

@jmac7 and ​​​​@rajugsw thanks for the shout out.

I tried the Peachtree GaN400 based on the glowing reviews and wasn’t at all impressed. It sounded like typical Class D sound—no balls in the lowest octaves, clear and articulate but also fatiguing. It was a surprisingly noisy amp as well.

A local audiophile friend of mine auditioned the Orchard Starkrimson and he wasn’t impressed with it either. He preferred his other amps which had retailed for similar prices. Similar to the Peachtree, the way he described its sound aligns with what I associate with typical Class D sound. In other words, no notable sonic advantages over a competent Class AB amp.

I’ve determined that the problem with forum anecdotes with regard to amps is that many are lacking a good point of reference. Someone will chime in saying that an amp like the Starkrimson powered their Magnepans or ESLs well, yet this person probably wouldn’t say that had they compared the amp to a big Krell on the same day. That or they will be comparing these amps to a mid-fi offering from a competitor.

Suffice to say I suspect GaN FETs with regard to amps are mostly another flash in the pan technology that hasn’t really moved the needle. There may be exceptions of course, but I am highly doubtful at present.