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Alsozone /3e Audio GaN Monoblocks | New Comer
And when external psu are a given, it's time to offer cabling options and not just brick after brick with the units.
2 x mono can be powered by one 48v10a psu which can be y-split. Just need proper cables and connectors for these power ratings.
Product courtesy of Fosi.
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The FOSI pack is a bit unusual because the Y-split is handled via a noise reducer.
Returning to the original topic—designing a GaN amplifier—we specifically want to avoid having the PSU unit be bulkier than the amplifier units; otherwise, the marketing argument for GaN loses its real significance...
The issue with most of the GaN amps on the market is the lack of post filter feedback and their load dependent frequency response. Mostly the use of GaN fets has been a marketing ploy and nearly all of the GaN based amps are second rate in measured performance compared to the state of the art class d like Purifi or Hypex.
Roland68
Master Contributor
It is really strange that one of the most important differences is completely omitted from the table.
Significantly lower efficiency—often even (significantly) worse than SiC—when dealing with rapid fluctuations in power output. The more frequent the fluctuations, the worse it gets.
A good thing that this isn't an issue for an audio amplifier (where is the sarcasm emoji when you need it?).
There was an interview with B. Putzeys about GaN.Interesting... if I may weigh in: I would start by reasoning in reverse—avoiding this below approach—based on what we know about GaN amplifiers:
Avoid this :
Premium Audio Mini GaN 5 Review (Stereo Amplifier)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Premium Audio Mini GaN 5 Stereo Class D power amplifier. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $799 (recent price increase). The GaN 5 comes in a compact enclosure with plenty of ventilation at the cost of decent looks: Beside...
Avoid this :
SMSL PA-X Stereo Amplifier Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL PA-X GaN based Class D stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by Shenzhen Audio and costs US $699. The PA-X is gorgeously designed. It would look even better with the display on, had I not damaged the unit in testing (see below). A volume...
Use this as reference
Starkrimson 25 Amp Module - Next Gen GaN Class D Amp Module
The Starkrimson 25 Amplifier Module is a high-performance Class D amplifier featuring GaN technology for ultra-low distortion and high efficiency.orchardaudio.com
Measurements :
And really read this about GaN
Is GaN worth it? - ICEpower
icepoweraudio.com
Sorry, I've lost the URL.
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IIRC, GaN would be interesting only for high power.
Roland68
Master Contributor
This has nothing to do with high power output; otherwise, GaN wouldn't be so successful in small power adapters rated at 20, 30, 45, 60, or 65 watts, etc.
GaN’s advantages really come into play under steady, consistent loads.
The more the load fluctuates, the more GaN’s efficiency and advantages diminish—potentially even dropping below the levels of conventional technology.
And what kind of load do audio amplifiers present?
OP
Guddu
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The new GAN monoblock amplifiers are available for pre-order now ordering starts on 1st September: https://alsozone.com/products/gan-mono-pre-order-ships-in-august
Congratulations @3eaudio
Detailing in product information is excellent, very well done.
All the very best.
Congratulations @3eaudio
Detailing in product information is excellent, very well done.
All the very best.
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Roland68
Master Contributor
It is unusual for 3E Audio to publish so few measurements.
What is available looks a lot like the ACM8816 to me.
Independent tests will show whether they deserve congratulations for it.
I will never understand the point in having monoblocks with a shared power supply. It's just good old dual mono in seperate boxes. The whole point of monoblocks is having seperate power supplies per channel.
Roland68
Master Contributor
Definitely—sharing power supplies between monoblocks is absolute nonsense and serves only to cut costs.
The whole point of a true mono configuration is complete channel separation and the elimination of mutual interference.
With a shared power supply, channel separation decreases; this can alter the soundstage (or whatever term one prefers) and the overall listening experience to varying degrees.
It is easily measurable and demonstrable that a strong bass impulse in one channel can cause a measurable difference in the output of the other channel when a shared power supply is used.
While this might not necessarily be audible, it does result in a deviation from the source material.
What makes me doubt it is that the ACM8816 GaN chip is a digital chip, whereas the new AlsoZone monoblock is not...
I started a thread here about the latest Dual Mono GaN amp based on the ACM8816; you'll see that it's like an FDA.
It’s hard to say without actual picture, but one could imagine the TI-LMG2100R044 or even the EPC2152... who knows...
In the below pictures, on the left you have the Gan Dual Mono amplifier I discussed in my thread, based on two ACM8816 Mono chips, and on the right the famous Starkrimson Gan with an analog input, the latter features 100% analog modulation (PDM) and a full-bridge power stage based on Infineon gallium nitride power transistors.
The mentioning of "Samplerate: 24bit/48khz" on the datasheet above made me wonder what it's about.
Roland68
Master Contributor
The term "HEMT," the exclusive 1% THD specification, the 108 dB SNR, and the 24–48 volt range all looked very familiar to me.
And why does 3E Audio specify a sample rate of 24-bit/48 kHz?
But, of course, I could be mistaken.
For now, the information is too vague... but we know it is a full-bridge (BTL – Bridge-Tied Load) Class D amplifier featuring a PWM controller and an output stage based on GaN HEMT transistors.
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