SET the best?

Mozartfan-

The “tube” in the AGD Audions contains the proprietary GaN output stage.

The glass envelope facilities heat disbursement and can be easily replaced with future improvement. 
The GaN module used is the only such chip developed specifically for Audio.

AGD has just come out with a stereo amp called the Tempo. It uses a aluminum chassis cut from a solid billet. It is a more conventional design without the “tube” but utilizing the same technology. I believe the price is $5400.

Thus it differs from any other GaN based amps. I believe my explanation is accurate.

The GaN module used is the only such chip developed specifically for Audio.

AGD has just come out with a stereo amp called the Tempo. It uses a aluminum chassis cut from a solid billet. It is a more conventional design without the “tube” but utilizing the same technology. I believe the price is $5400.

Thus it differs from any other GaN based amps. I believe my explanation is accurate.

@mglik Its not. The first sentence in the post above isn’t right. A ’GaN module’ isn’t a chip. Its a circuit board, likely with chips on it. And none of them are specifically designed for audio, although the module is, but its not the only module designed for audio.

The statement that it ’differs from any other GaN based amps’ is tricky. All GaN based amps are different, so technically the statement is true. But installing a GaN based module in an aluminum chassis is commonplace.

This is not to denigrate Alberto’s designs- far from it. He was involved with GaNFET manufacturing and knows how to use them very well. But no GaNFET is built specifically for audio.

Excuse the misuse of the word chip. Guess module is accurate.

And I am not saying that GaN technology is necessarily the best Class D.

Only that it currently seems to be a method that is quite popular.

My comment about Alberto’s module being specifically designed for Audio comes from the early review, believe it was Enjoy the Music. It pointed out that “all” other current GaN based amps use existing modules with chips that are currently used in non Audio devises like power chargers. Alberto’s design was focused on the use in his amps. This is my understanding. 

It pointed out that “all” other current GaN based amps use existing modules with chips that are currently used in non Audio devises like power chargers.

@mglik If he's getting semiconductor devices made for him I can see that happening. Usually you have to buy quite a lot of such devices to get any semiconductor manufacturer to pay attention to your order! But he might have an in with one of his former employers. But FWIW the chips used in switch mode power supplies have a lot in common with the requirements you face in building a class D amplifier.

@mglik  @atmasphere  There are so few threads focused on SET amps....Is it too much to ask that the AGD and GAN and Class D discussions be moved to their own thread or one of many already in existence?

I realize this is a 'resurrected' thread, but I for one am glad @mozartfan  did so.

Thanks. - David.