Class D - A Fork in the Road

What about these from Laiv? Are they proper GaN FET Class D as they describe? Price seems very competitive compared to other GaN  FET Class D

https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-ganm

Heard Atmasphere Class D mono amps driving a pairnof Audience floor standing speakers at THE Show last weekend. Liked it a lot. Natural and dynamic sound. Worth looking into. 

The Atma-Sphere Class D GaNFET monoblocks are wonderful-sounding amps that show impressive transparency and natural sound when driving my PS Audio FR10 speakers. The FR10s use planar tweeters and midranges that expose the outstanding clarity of the A-S amps without any harshness or exaggerated detail. These amps include a toroidal power supply that helps support low-end grunt and tonal body without any of the leanness heard in some of the cheaper GaNFET or Class D module amps being produced outside the U.S. using switch-mode power supplies. I leave the A-S monoblocks switched on 24/7, and they barely get warm. 

I’ve still yet to hear a face off between the two topologies. Only claims made against "typical" Class D amps. 

Eric,

There are dozens and dozens of A/B comparison between Class D amp vs other topologies, easily researched.  

At Axpona a couple of years ago I got a brief master class in amp topology from Ralph Karsten from Atma-Sphere who for ~40 years has produced really excellent tube gear.  During our visit, I heard his Class D monos driving Spatial Audio speakers, similar to those I owned, and the sound was fantastic, just as fine as the sound with my tube amp and Class A/B amp.  Ralph said that his company sells more of these monos than all of his other gear!

I borrowed an Orchard Audio Starkrimson Class D amp and it was fantastic in all respects.  The seminal work that Mr. Putzey has done with his topology shows where the leading-edge thinkers are and while Ralph has his own design/implementation approach, Class D amplification is clearly and firmly the ascendant technology.

I applaud Ralph for his incredible contributions in the audio world and, more to the point, his selfless contributions on so many threads on this forum.  I relished the half hour he spent with me at Axpona; he sees many paths to supreme enjoyment of music and has himself provided the electronics for many to enjoy that satisfaction.  His Class D mono amps are SOTA and in comparison to similar quality Class A/B amp or tube amps, very affordable.