Best Class D GaNFET Amp Comparison. Who to invite?

IMHO, anyone shopping for a Class D amp -- for all the reasons why Class D amps are generally superior to other amplification technologies, like power, heat, size, & weight -- I suggest that you don’t ignore non-D designs that offer the same advantages.

Chief on this list would be Ayre’s current line, which includes several Class A/AB models in the 20-25lb range, 3-4" tall, and capable of generating over 100wpc with sonics that are reported to be competitive with most sub-$10,000 components. Ayre accomplishes this feat by means of the late, great Charlie Hanson's unique "Diamond" output-stage topology. It's a simple circuit that supposedly pulls much more power from a quartet of output transistors than do "traditional" designs. I've never heard or read of a direct comparison between a Diamond-based Ayre and any Class D product, not even the excellent GaN-based HiFi Rose RA180, in which the Ayre did not come out on top.

I don’t have a horse in this race and realize that YMMV. My point is that someone considering the mostly Class D amps in the OP’s list should also look at the few Class AB amps that offer form factors similar to -- and perhaps sonics superior to -- those of most Class D models.

You seem to have read Stereophile’s recent review of the Ayer amplifier. Did you purchase it @cundare2 ?

milpai:

I’ll be purchasing an EX-8 2.0 shortly. Right now, I’m still working out which configuration to go with.

By the way, I think Stereophile had a total of 4 reviews of the EX-8 -- Ken’s original, an Atkinson follow-up, a "shoot-out" with the Cambridge Audio Edge, and the recent EX-8 2.0 update.

Despite all that, Stereophile never published the promised evaluation of the EX-8’s integrated headphone amp. That’s an issue for me b/c I’ll be using its sole unbalanced pre output to drive a powered sub. There’s thus no way to attach an external HP amp that doesn’t have balanced inputs (e.g., my unbalanced Class A Audeze Deckard).

In general, I would never consider powering phones from an integrated’s built-in amp. But in this case, well, maybe! I’ve read numerous comments about just how outstanding the EX-8’s modular DAC and headphone amp are, at least within the price range. More Charlie magic, I guess!

Still, I’d like to find an impartial third-party formal review before I commit myself to the possibility of having to buy a new headphone amp that has balanced inputs.

Sorry to sorta digress...

Hi Jeff-  just reading about that shootout event- did it happen? Mytek is now shipping ours:

https://mytek.audio/shop/empire-stereo-monoblock-2#attr=11

If you are repeating the event please reach out. Best Regards, Michal at Mytek

Mytek Audio of New York has been working on our own version of the GanFET amps and we just began shipping the Empire Stereo Monoblocks which are exceptional. Tube like top and midrange, non fatiguing for hours of listening, detail and resolution throughout the whole spectrum, transistor tight controlled bass, the best of both worlds (tubes or transistors). Minimal feedback, behavior reminiscent of Class A, they work well without feedback too. IMO this technology is so good it will be a dominant amplifier technology in 10 years. There is a magic to the smooth velvety tube like top the no class AB amp can do due to absolutely linear transfer function of the amp that does not need feedback to correct the AD transistor curve. We just showed The Empire Stereo  Monoblocks at Munich High End 2024 and had repeated visitors returning to the room again and again because of this. 

This amp has been promised for 3 years.......is it really finally shipping? If I order one today......what exact day will I receive it?

This will need to be A/Bed with the new $11.5K AGD mono GaN amps, the Orchard dual mono stereo GaN amps with WBT jacks ($4.3K), the Atmasphere GaN amps ($6.1K), the VTV dual mono stereo high powered Purifi amps with my mods (less than $3K) and the Coda 5.5 class A/B amp ($6400) so see where it fits into the serious audio category. I really do hope it is finally available and that it is really something special. I am always rooting for the next best thing. However, it will be what it will be. I be happy....I hope you are too.