Gallium Nitride GaN Class D Amplifiers

I owned the AGD Gran Vivace and they were spectacular. I had an Aesthetix Calypso linestage (tube) preamp in the chain and it was the best sound I've had in my room to date, save for one aspect - low end (reverb). Back to this in a second... what set AGD apart from the others is that they purchased all of the GaN modules that were designed for audio applications whereas all others only had access to modules for other purposes. I do not know if this has changed, but it seemed to be a true story a year or so ago. Back to where GaN fell short for me -

Enya "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" - Opening deep synthesizer and second, John Rutter: "Pie Jesu" around the 1:02 minute mark. Both are Qobuz. What is missing? Power and emotion. My question is, why? I do not think other amps are embellishing the sense of power and scale. I am wondering what it means that GaN is not accomplishing the same? Is it more accurate? Controlling the drivers too well? 

I have had Audion MK 3’s for a few weeks now. It is the most educating experience I have ever had with a component. The difference that different cabling makes is much more apparent than it used to be. Moving around different brand cables within the component mix results in some quite unexpected advantageous relationships which were not so clearly audible in previous set ups. These modifications extend throughout the component mix.

The amps also very quickly educate you about what treatment the listening space requires. "Room nodes" are now distinctly audible to me across the spectrum. Bass nodes in particular are now more obvious as to where they are in the room and where treatment should focus.

With these amps volume can be turned up higher without bleeding the music or wearing the listener out. I feel that I have been learning more things about musical reproduction in general.

Interesting, @izjjzi. I have the stereo AGD and feel the same about the bass. The sound is as good as anything I’ve had but the bass is light compared to others...or is it more truthful? I think it’s tad light but everything else about it is spectacular. Alberto, the owner/designer, sometimes chimes in around here as does Ralph at Atma-sphere. Maybe that’s how they sound so good everywhere else in the spectrum. SET’s often have the same issue, but I thought that was due to power. The AGD’s can handle difficult loads like Maggies and Quads.

When some of you are writing about AGD are you referencing the non-tube Class D? Or the Hybrid Class D with tubes?

AGD does not make a Hybrid Tube GaN amplifier. The GaN circuits are located in the tube and it is 100% solid state GaN, pure gimmickry with some functionality.