GaN based SU-R1000 Technics Integrated Class-D, review by TAS

George:

1. The SE-R1 needs to be at 1.5MHz to perform as it does, considering the rest of its design.

2. The AGD does not need to run that high to perform as it does. Its design and execution are superior, I believe. sure, they increased the frequency to 800MHz now, but the improvement in SQ is incremental not dramatic.

3. You’re always mentioning specs; you should mention SQ. Both AGD’s are superior in SQ. Would you rather have your 1.5MHz and lesser SQ? Of course not!

4. I believe the best performance and SQ will be using a linear power supply. I had an H2O S250 Signature, B&O and linear, and it performed beautifully with Apogees, including Scintillas. I’ll wait for that amp rather than jump into the current wild, wild west!

I believe the best performance and SQ will be using a linear power supply

That’s exactly what I did in the 2nd system with my Hypex NC500 monoblocks (same as BelCanto Reference-600 monoblocks). Two things I did that took them to another level, I now have a massive linear supply and the other was when I also completely bypass the Hypex modules input gain stage, because my MSB Discrete R2R DAC has up 7.5Vpp variable output and can drive each of the NC500 poweramps balanced in stage itself direct.

Would you rather have your 1.5MHz and lesser SQ

Yes defiantly the 1.5mhz or more switching speed "and better sound quality" it brings. Because the 70 degrees of phase shift in the upper mids/highs https://ibb.co/2thS6y2 on Class-D’s will then be almost reduced to 0, like good linear amps that have FR’s out to 200khz and because of that they also have almost 0 phase shift in the audio band

Cheers George

EXACTLY ! And that's what I'm doing with the Orchard Audio Ultra Amplifier modules. Five of them with 2 massive Toroidal's for the GaN Amps (one powers two GaN's, the other power's three GaN's) along with smaller toroidal's for the drive stages. Lots of filtering and rectification along with proper grounding. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with switching supplies with all the advances that have been done with that technology. I'm listening to the loaner Ultra Amplifier for a month now and I'd power the modules with switching supplies without hesitation.

But it just looks so cool inside with all those big ass Toroid's (and little ass one's too. Amp modules are coming soon. I have some wiring to cleanup so don't judge my workmanship....yet.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cvmegfAQKs34pUJ88

4. I believe the best performance and SQ will be using a linear power supply.

What happened to the LKV Veros, which used three toroidals?

Let's face it, reviews in the two mainstream mags that contain even a brief comparative section are few and far between, and when they do, the components that are compared are usually nowhere near the same price bracket.  The mags won't risk pissing of manufacturers by printing statements like brand X performed, overall, better than brand Y.

Look what happened with Herb R.'s much-heralded cable survey that was announced a number of months ago.  How many installments did that have?  One.