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AGD Audion GaN Class D In The House

During the last decade i have managed to try in my home 95% of the Class D amps offered to the public these include the so called break thru offerings of the last year or two. While there has been progress the class D signature remained and this included what was lacking in class D amplification.

When i heard about AGD i thought here we go again because i had been there and done that so many times with class D but the GaN tech had me intrigued so i bought a pair of the Audion amps, i thought i would give class D one more go.

I received the amps two days ago and have about twelve hours of listening. From the first minute onwards these amps had my full attention. There is no connection between this class D amp and class D i have heard in the pass no connection what so ever. Forget classes A, A/B, D or whatever this is just an excellent sounding amp, it delivers music that belongs at the upper levels of Hi End audio reproduction.

It`s only been a couple of days of listening but i`m so taken back at the quality of sound i just had to share. I will add more the more i listen, good or bad.
rh67
tmcclintock
35 posts
 
ricevs648 posts05-12-2021 6:48pm
Really would be great if you guys did a blow by blow....

I don't have the experience you and rh67 have, but here's where I'm coming from.  Past amps - Threshold 400A, Acoustat tnt-120, tnt-200 (with Acoustat 2+2s), Classe Audio CA-200.  I currently have a Music Reference RM-200, Jeff Rowland Concentra II, Jeff Rowland M201s, Valvet A4s, and the Audions. 

What I initially heard with the class D M201s - clarity, detail, tighter bass and a really quiet background - was so different it took awhile to get used to.  I liked that black background though, and finally decided I was hearing a more accurate version of what was recorded, with maybe a drier, slightly lean lower midrange.  I improved that somewhat with a tube preamp (Blue Circle BCS 3000) but didn't cure it.

All the good points of the M201s are just more so with the Audions, and no more sucked-out mids.  The midrange is now in balance with bass and treble.  I'm hearing more detail than ever - never noticed some of the mastering splices I can now hear.  And like someone above said, voices are so distinct, I can follow words I could never make out before.  They're the most even-handed amps I've had.  It's like getting to hear all my music fresh again.


rh67 OP
307 posts
 
dmcclintock 
 The midrange is now in balance with bass and treble. I'm hearing more detail than ever - never noticed some of the mastering splices I can now hear. And like someone above said, voices are so distinct, I can follow words I could never make out before. They're the most even-handed amps I've had. It's like getting to hear all my music fresh again.

I could not agree with this statement more. In many ways i feel like i'm hearing music for the first time the way it was meant to be heard. Listening to familiar recordings always brings a pleasant surprise, there is more more music, it's hard to describe it has to be experienced.

Old class D provided a clarity but it was empty, the AGD's have the clarity but within that clarity comes the life of a recording of a studio or live performance it's pretty amazing to experience.
wjt3
204 posts
 
Just one 6  hour session last eve with the Vivaci- only Aurneder serving up Qobuz and the Jazz Groove station. WOW-- Called Alberto and he asked--what do I think? I said I have no idea what to think?!? He said that is correct. New ball game. As said before-all in balance. Lows mids highs--I guess perfect or at least I would think. So quiet of a background that all comes into better focus?? Piano hammers-sustain- drum sticks-bows on strings- even switched to some heavy music thinking this will be very bad--was I wrong--Ozzy sounded better than ever-- more to come.....
rh67 OP
307 posts
 
I was playing Stairway To Heaven last night and it was amazing. For decades i thought i had it right the AGD's proved i was wrong, the AGD's have opened up another door, they are unlike ANYTHING i have heard before.
mglik
911 posts
 
Has anyone ears the difference between the Audions and the Vivace, Grand Vivace?
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