1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 166534-11588

Class D amps that are superior to all or most?

Recently, I have heard about some Class D amps that may be close to the best there is regardless of class. Certainly, this technology has been in development for decades. The main issue has always been the switching power supply. In this regard, I have taken notice of AGD. They have created a whole new power supply that “switches” at a frequency 100 times the normal silicon based MOSFET. The designer uses a gallium nitride based PS. Interesting, it is enclosed in the KT88 glass envelope that sits on top of his amps. I am aware of two more pricey amps that seem to be also at the top- the Solution and the Merrill. There must be others that compete for the title. After my thread, “Is there a SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy?”, I am still on the quest.
Don’t want to spend $50K!
mglik
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,414 posts
 
there is something to the notion that many class d stages are a little too clean
If that is the case then the designer didn't pay attention to the distortion signature. It can be quite low in a class D amp, but if the higher orders are not masked by the lower ordered harmonics it won't sound right.
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
A/AB IS THE WAY TO BE. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,360 posts
 
In the under 10K category, clearly the current winners are the AGD Audion monoblocks.

What's coming this year in GaN engineering?  Looking forward to the eventual release of the LSA Voyager (aka "Godot") amp, and to atmasphere's class D circlotron monoblocks.

The other GaN amps currently out that nobody's mentioned are the Orchard Starkrimsons.
mapman's avatar
mapman
23,616 posts
 
In the under 10K category, clearly the current winners are the AGD Audion monoblocks.

Clearly? How’s that? How many have these or have even heard them or compared them to all the others?



I will give them credit for looking cool, what with the SS components plugged in and looking like a tube and all.



rh67
307 posts
 
"If that is the case then the designer didn't pay attention to the distortion signature. It can be quite low in a class D amp, but if the higher orders are not masked by the lower ordered harmonics it won't sound right."

Bingo!

Some class D on first impression can make you say wow but once you start to listen you began to realize that something is not quite right.

I was talking to a friend on the east coast he has heard the Mola Mola integrated, top of the line Merrill and AGD amps and according to him he ranks the Mola Mola and AGD amps as not only the best of class D but some of the best amps he has heard period.

I have not heard the Mola Mola amps but i do own the AGD Audion amps and i find them pretty special.
More to discover