What are the best GaN Amplifiers available today?


There have been a number of threads discussing the wonder of GaN and some of the individual amplifiers that have caught peoples attention, including those from AGD, Atma-Sphere, Peachtree, LSA, etc. Has anyone done a shootout against two or more GaN amps? If so, which did you prefer, and why? And on what speakers?

Also, of the one you preferred, do you prefer it over every other amplifier you’ve ever heard? If not, what non-GaN amp do you enjoy more?

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@atmasphere I noticed that, and FWIW, hearing your amps between AXPONA ’22 and FLAX ’23, I thought they were anything but rolled off. Maybe since you’re now on this thread, could I ask you to share how you voiced your GaN monos, especially in comparison to your OTLs? Did you attempt to preserve the same level of openness and bandwidth to your other amps (albeit making it easier to drive speakers with)? How would you compare the sonics of your GaN amps to your OTLs? As you know, I was very fond of the MA-1, and later on the S-30 that I had you fully upgrade.

@mbmi Do I understand you right that you prefer the Peachtree to the Aavik? Also you are comparing an integrated (the Aavik U-150) to a power amp with a separate preamp. Is there any way to bypass the preamp section of the Aavik and use your Audio_GD with it? Thanks.

@ricevs I am not familiar with your modifications, the same question as Tjag above, can you describe your modifications and how each one effects the sound of the amplifier? Which amp is your favourite for modding?

@greg_f Here’s a link to Ric’s amp mods that will give you some basic info if you haven’t already seen it, but I’m sure Ric will add more meat on the bone here.  FWIW.

Maybe since you’re now on this thread, could I ask you to share how you voiced your GaN monos, especially in comparison to your OTLs? Did you attempt to preserve the same level of openness and bandwidth to your other amps (albeit making it easier to drive speakers with)? How would you compare the sonics of your GaN amps to your OTLs?

@blisshifi We did not 'voice' either our OTLs or the class D. Most of the work on the amps during R&D was to eliminate noise. We lucked out in that once we had that bit sorted, the things that cause distortion in our circuit tended to cause lower ordered harmonics, much like a tube amp, but at a lower level. I prefer the class Ds to our OTLs, once they have broken in. They are more neutral but easy to listen to; when comparing side by side the big difference most people comment on is the class D seems a bit easier to hear into the rear of the sound stage; they are more 'focused' if that makes sense.