I have too much stuff already but would love to find a spot for the new HiFi Rose integrated. That company and a few others are really upping the bar when it comes to new and innovative HiFi products, or Future Fi as it is increasingly being referred to online.
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?
Showing 5 responses by mapman
I believe Most Class D amps have low output impedance which can contribute to damping factor compared to higher output impedance tube amps. That can make a big difference in how bass sounds in many cases (not all) in that the driver is better controlled and distortion lower. When I first heard my first Class D amp in my system, Bel Canto ref1000ms, it sounded like the bass was gone. Shortly after when my ears adjusted I realized it was all there but more defined and articulate than ever compared to several prior SS amps. A decent quality sound meter app is all that is needed to put any bass level question to rest. Ears alone may well not cut it in this case. |
Totally a swag guess based on personal experience but I suspect the Atmasphere Class D would sound somewhat more different from Benchmark than AGD, but the only way to know for sure would be to try both and compare. All three are very good amps so I think it mostly comes down to personal preference and how much change you seek. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feel, or which product and company strikes you best. I think you have identified two very good alternatives. |
I had demo of Atmasphere Class D followed by Atmasphere tube amps at CAF 2022. The two sounded more similar than different so that is a good omen for the tube amp camp. i also heard AGD at another Audiogoners house who also ran Linear Tube Audio amplifier. LTA is a tube amp that does tubes in a way that resembles very good SS or Class D amps in general. Very good sound but more towards the tonally neutral side. Atmasphere amps have just a bit more touch of tube like “PRAT” which many audiophiles will find very desirable and harder to find outside of actual Tube gear.
@jfrmusic of course the speakers matter a lot as well. Did you mention what speakers you are running? Thanks. |
The benchmark is top notch. Nothing wrong with the others using GaN but hard to call a clear “upgrade”. Depends on the specific amp not what transistor technology used and what you prefer mostly. Atmasphere and AGD are popular with tube amp lovers otherwise. GaN has advantages but alone does not guarantee “better” at least based on objective measures alone. |