What are the best GaN Amplifiers available today?

@j-wall I agree with you on your perception of Cambridge Audio and have shared it myself. I was honestly floored by their EDGE line’s performance, which is why I dedlcided to deal for them. The only items I carry on my floor are their EDGE electronics and one EVO 150, which is more attractive for the lifestyle audience. The EDGE significantly outperforms the EVO on many levels. But yes, while it’s not as hot as Class A or tubes, it’s still about as hot as an A/B amplifier and will use more electricity in idle mode. The qualities you mention, along with smaller form factors and less weight are all great reasons to go Class D. 

@blisshifi How does the Cambridge Audio Edge M compare to your other amps. Is it a warm sound or more neutral? I am looking for a neutral sounding amp and monos would be great since I have my fav speaker cable gathering dust (very short length). I am looking for something like the Benchmark AHB2 but with more low-end grunt. This is to pair with my Yamaha NS5000.

I realized that this speaker can also use power. It sounds very good with the Class A CODA #16, but I am thinking a slightly more neutral sound would be even better. The CODA #16 is phenomenal with my Magnepan LRS+.

At the moment, the SimAudio lineup seems to be where I am heading, but I am also looking for lower cost alternatives.

Sadly I don’t have the EDGE M - only the EDGE A integrated and EDGE NQ Streaming DAC Preamp. The integrated and the EDGE W power amp are identical in design aside from the identical volume stage found in the EDGE NQ also being present in the EDGE A. I am hoping to order the EDGE M in the next month or two, but they are in a queue behind some other gear my business needs to fund.

I would say that the performance of the EDGE A is very linear, even more than the T+A A 200, whose measurements show its frequency response to be truly linear. I wouldn’t characterize it as warm at all, though one review mentioned that. I would say there is a musicality / soulfulness to it that may be characterized as smooth in delivery, but it is not warm or rich compared to T+A electronics. This is not to say that T+A is warm (I actually disagree with the poster who said T+A is warm - I find the HV Series DAC to be very rich with harmonics and tonally dense in the best way possible, but the HV amp and power supply is incredibly neutral, but refined and will reveal whatever sonic signature is otherwise in the chain).

The EDGE is incredibly revealing, less effortless/refined than the T+A electronics as well. I typically prefer highly refined electronics, but in this case, the way the EDGE images and engages is I believe close to being unparalleled in its class.

With a few speakers, I didn’t feel like the EDGE A’s amplification was lacking at all. This includes the Vivid Kaya 90, Legacy Audio Signature SE, and Scansonic MB-5B. The amp paired especially well with the Legacy and Vivid speakers. With Borresen 02 and T+A Solitaire S 530, I started to lose a little bit of control when over 95db peaks in a medium to large sized room (19x23 with ceiling slant up to 18ft). I rarely ever listen that loud, but it is part of my normal evaluation procedure. This is likely due to the impedance dips these speakers may have in certain frequency ranges. Regardless, of the hundreds of amps I’ve ever owned, if someone was looking for a great all-arounder integrated, the EDGE A gets my highest recommendation, even above some of the higher integrated amps I’ve heard and can offer. It performs at the level of quality separates.

The EDGE M is double the power and capacitance and is said to add effortlessness and improved control and depth to the sound. I am already very impressed with the way the EDGE A portrays depth, I can only imagine how much better the EDGE M are. I’ll inquire with Cambridge on preparing to acquire an EDGE M this coming week.

I am the person that said the HV sounds a little warm, which most people like. I think it sounds like the amazing KRELL Duo XD (owned before) that I have raved about.  However, I do not think it would pair well with the NS5000 that I have now. I can get a used KRELL Dou 300XD for $6K. It would be very good for sure but maybe not great.

I do know the Vivid Kaya 90. I demoed it with the NS5000 and Magico A3. The NS5000 was the worst sounding of the 3, but I guessed correctly that it sounded bad because of the glass walled room + furniture I heard it in.

I think I should hear this Edge M before I send 2x more on the SimAudio.

@yyzsantabarbara Ha! All good on the T+A comment. I used to think T+A was on the warm side but I realize it’s more prominent in their HV series DACs (also controllable through the DAC filters) vs their amplification and preamplification. 

Bear in mind the EDGE M are not Class D, heavier at 50+ lbs each and will heat as much as a Class AB amp. If that is suitable, then yes, definitely try!