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Best Class D GaNFET Amp Comparison. Who to invite?

The time has come to put to the people a listening test of some of the better

current "Contenders" in the race for Best Class D GaNFET Sound.

 

The existing media can not manage such an undertaking for many reasons.

This event will help consumers decide which products best meet their needs.

 

I have not heard all the players but will suggest these names for inclusion in this comparison.

 

1. Mola Mola 

2. Atmasphere 

3. AGD

4. Bel Canto

5. NAD

6. ?

7. ?

8. ?

 

Finale Aavik vs winner of above 

 

Event will be held either in Seattle or the Bay Area.

 

We can support about three more brands in this comparison.  

It will be setup as an A/B audience listening event

comparison starting with the two lowest MSRP products.

 

 

After the seven A/B comparisons one amp would emerge as the audience favorite.

This winner would then go head to head with the Aavik in the 8th round.

 

I will plan this for a July-August 2023 event open to the public.

 

I now open this to further discussion, ideas and suggestions for the last three slots.

 

 

 

128x128jeffseight
jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight OP
574 posts
 

Sadly the room I was told I could use at the PNW Audiofest ended up not being available. The event could still be held easily enough. I have access to Peachtree,

Orchard, Mola Mola. 

People in the thread offered to bring all the others. However all were silent

at the time I asked for confirmation. No one offered to assist either. 

 

I did do a comparison with the Orchard and the Peachtree in my own home.

 

mbolek
172 posts
 

What a dud....

I'm the Bay Area and would have loved to compare the following;

Rose 180

Rose150B w/180

Rose 520

Custom Purifi (built several)

Peachtree Gan1

Nad M33

New Eversolo.....

 

 

greg_f
106 posts
 

That's a shame, I was hoping to see a comparison between the Aavik and the Hypex Nilai based amps. I have an option to buy an Aavik I-280, alternatively I will use the latest Hypex modules, I already have Hypex NC-400 based monoblocks.

mr_bill
347 posts
 

you gave it a good try Jeff and it was a great idea,

cundare2
276 posts
 

IMHO, anyone shopping for a Class D amp -- for all the reasons why Class D amps are generally superior to other amplification technologies, like power, heat, size, & weight -- I suggest that you don’t ignore non-D designs that offer the same advantages.

Chief on this list would be Ayre’s current line, which includes several Class A/AB models in the 20-25lb range, 3-4" tall, and capable of generating over 100wpc with sonics that are reported to be competitive with most sub-$10,000 components. Ayre accomplishes this feat by means of the late, great Charlie Hanson's unique "Diamond" output-stage topology. It's a simple circuit that supposedly pulls much more power from a quartet of output transistors than do "traditional" designs. I've never heard or read of a direct comparison between a Diamond-based Ayre and any Class D product, not even the excellent GaN-based HiFi Rose RA180, in which the Ayre did not come out on top.

I don’t have a horse in this race and realize that YMMV. My point is that someone considering the mostly Class D amps in the OP’s list should also look at the few Class AB amps that offer form factors similar to -- and perhaps sonics superior to -- those of most Class D models.

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