Purifi v Gan amps?

I have owned the Peachtree GAN1 that is modded. I am keeping this one since it is amazing. More comments on this in a few months. I will be doing something special with this amp. It is so good that it gets the first crack at some new gear.

I owned the Peachtree GAN400 2 times. Both times while I was debating what amp to use with the Magnepan LRS+. The GAN400 had enough power for the LRS+ but it was lacking the ultimate resolution on the top end.

The PeachTree GAN1 is similar in stock form to the GAN400, minus the strong power. However, if you mod the GAN1 you take it into CODA #16 amp and Benchmark AHB2 levels. Not power wise but resolution. I have the #16 too so this is real-world experience.

I also owned the LSA Voyager 350 GAN which was also modded. It was not as good as the modded GAN1. Both mods were done by Ric at tweakaudio.com. The Voyager 350 was similar to the GAN400 but weaker in the bass.

At one time I have owned the Benchmark AHB2 (5X). It is supposed to be like the Purifi. A lot of reviews compare the 2. However, I no longer own the AHB2 since my prior speakers and also my current office speaker demands more power than what I felt the AHB2 could deliver. The modded GAN1 is almost as good (maybe as good) on the top end as the AHB2. I love the top end on the AHB2. In stock form, the GAN1 is not as good.

Today I have found an amp that I like better than the GAN400, Voyager, and even the AHB2 in most respects. It is the Sanders Magtech. I got this amp used from Sanders themselves for $4k. It is a Class AB amp, which I have had a lot, and I am surprised I like this amp so much. The power supply on the Sanders is said to be unique and I think CODA builds the amp for Sanders.

Last night I was listening to the LRS+ (very difficult to drive) with the Magtech and played the music at very low volume. This was late at night, and I normally use my headphones. However, I was amazed at how well the speakers sounded at low volume. That is a testament to the Sanders. Given a proper amp - speaker match only my CODA #16 and my old AHB2 were as good at low volume. Most amps are terrible at this.

Using the Sanders, at regular volume levels the sound just explodes out of the LRS+. The GAN amps I mentioned never did that, even the GAN400 that came close. The CODA #16 is even better than the Sanders at this (more bass).

The best amps I have owned.

• CODA #16
• PeachTree GAN1 (has to be modded)
• Sanders MagTech
• KRELL Duo 175XD*
• Benchmark AHB2*

There are about 5+ Class D amps I have tried plus many other Class AB amps. None of them are with me and not missed. I miss the AHB2 and the KRELL which I sold to generate some funds.

^As I understand it the Magtech is basically a fully regulated Coda with more output at the expense of less intial Class A bias. For many users it appears that the improvements and  trade offs make for a better amp. It would appear that perhaps even more so than usual; choice of speakers will determine how advantageous these design choices will be.

@yyzsantabarbara 

what preamp are you using with the Sanders?

@unsound I was not aware that it was that much of a CODA design. I was under the impression that it was a pure Sanders design, but CODA built it for them. 

I have the following 3 preamps. Today, I am using the LA4 with the Sanders because I need balance adjustment in my office system since I sit a bit to the side. The LRS+ makes this not much of an issue but the adjustment helps a bit.

• Schitt Mjolnir (Class A)
• Benchmark LA4
• Holo Serene

I owned the CODA 07x preamp before and I no longer have it. The Mjolnir is the most like the 07x. I like the Mjolnir more.   My best 2 preamps are the Serene and LA4. I have used all 3 with the Sanders. The Serene and LA4 work the best for my ears since they are so silent. I like to hear my other gear more than the preamp. I use the Mjolnir for my RAAL SR1a earphones with the Schitt Aegir amp.

@snapsc ^