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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
lancelock
1,094 posts
 

AGD Audion Mono Blocks

 

I’ve lived with them for about a week so not even broken in yet. Upon arrival I immediately opened the flight case and set them up on the audio rack but they were cold from sitting in the delivery truck I assume. I should have let them warm up to room temperature maybe, so they sounded terrible for about 60 seconds and quickly started coming alive.

 

In the next few minutes I realized these were special and as more time goes by there were interesting changes happening during break-in. It sounds better, then worse and then better again. I have left things running 24/7 so I’m at about 140 hours and sound has started to level out showing some amazing micro details. Bass and midrange is nothing short of spectacular. I’ve read reviews where it was said that these sounded like an SET with power and I can’t argue with that.

 

The flagship Coda #16 with the first 100 watts of class A is a spectacular SS amp, especially after I ran a dedicated power line to my room. I would put this Coda amp up against any Pass Labs out there. I can already hear detail and an immersive, holographic sound stage coming from the AGD Audion mono blocks that I don’t hear with the Coda.

 

I can unquestionably say these Audion’s are the best class D I’ve ever heard and just maybe the best amps period. More to come.

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

i would concur these amps are truly excellent, based on my own experience with them

their price of entry is not cheap but also not exorbitant, given the performance they deliver

the soon to be released stereo version should deliver most of the performance of the mono blocks in a lower cost, single box package, and allow many more enthusiasts to enjoy the lovely sound

(i have no affilation with alberto/agd other than being a customer)

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

@lancelock thanks for the update. Looking forward to hearing these as well as additional reviews.

 

tweak1
3,676 posts
 

There's a very strong review of the Tempo in Enjoy the Music

lancelock
1,094 posts
 

I just brought the Audion mono blocks upstairs to my living room system. This system consists of LTA MicroZOTL preamp, Modwright Oppo Sonica as streaming source and Janszen zA2.1 Valentina hybrid electrostatic’s. The Audion’s power is no problem driving these stats. This combo may just be the closest I’ve ever heard to a live performance in my living room. Once again the holographic 3D sound stage is to die for.

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