Anybody else waiting for GaN and Purify to have a baby?

@jjss49 — unfortunately I haven’t heard any GaN or Purify amps.  I’ve got a defunct McCormack DNA-0.5 Rev A amp I was planning on sending to Steve for repairs and/or upgrades (thinking it’s probably the dreaded and fatal input board failure given my unit’s age), but after reading the reviews of these new amps I’m rethinking that now.  The Mini GaN 5 was one I was eyeing but looking to hear more real-world feedback before possibly trying one, so obviously I’d be very interested in your impressions especially since you’ve got the Audions as a reference for comparison.  Anyway, that’s my story for now.  

@soix 

ok got it... i will report back with impressions of the $750 gan mini 5

Can’t wait!

Interesting Proposition. What type of rig will you be comparing on ? By the way, my apology if you are one of my customers and I dont recognize your AudioGon Moniker. If anyone wants to send one of them my way, Id be happy to give it a test run on a $100K plus HiFi Rig . where the AGD exceeds all the other designs Ive tried is not in the frequency domain, thats easy stuff.. Lows mids highs , you either do them well or you dont . Where AGD steps ahead is in realism and Lucidity. I was comparing last night several amplifiers and I could hear the singer moving away from and towards the microphone not audible in the other amps . In a weird way its a subtle difference, but that subtle difference results in a whole other experience not even close the first one.  For example the difference between a cracker and a flat noodle , they are both made from the same raw materials and have the subtle difference of moisture content , but the experience when eaten seem like two opposite ends of the spectrum. Something clearly different . This is how GaN from AGD can be described. Whats more is its not subjective . Any true audiophile will prefer the AGD . I have not heard one person to date that liked the sound of what they currently had better than the AGD. Theres nothing not to like, it sounds more real.
Its interesting also jjss49 how the "Big Bucks" is the entry amp and best value in the AGD line, the Audion. Its a pair of monobloc amps with audio grade power cords  in a pelican flight case for only $7500. and this amp competes with some of the greatest designs the globe has to offer , so that's not Big Bucks comparatively, especially with Merrills GaN at what ? $30K or better ? My point I guess is its highly unlikely you will find anything for $750 that will even be able to fairly compete. Its even kind of interesting you think its possible which sort of denotes a latent desire to have the $750 sound as good. I guess its a common fantasy..  

Happy Listening

MP

If I had to guess I would say that Bruno prefers the ease of heatsinking his output devices, which is why he does not use GaNFETs. Back about 5 years ago there was a distinct improvement in switching speed offered by GaNFETs but that's all but gone with recent MOSFETs. So these days the design consideration might have more to do with the body diode of the device and how you heatsink it.