Class D Audio GAN FET Amps

[Vhond]

Peak Amplification Aims for Performance Lead with New GaN Amplifiers

Peak Amplification, the amplifier module brand created by Elytone, is aiming for a new level of performance lead with its new range of products. Developed using Infineon’s latest GaN devices, Peak is launching two new amplifier modules at ISE 2026: the AM-200C1G and the AM-500C1G. Both of the...

audioxpress.com

New development on the way??

 

[amirm]

They specify THD+N without wattage. Going by their 0.0006%, that would be SINAD of 104 dB. Very nice but 10 to 15 dB below state of the art.

 

[voodooless]

Given the density and efficiency you can get with these, they may be of interest in higher-end AVRs.

 

[jareinertson]

On your recommendation I read Bruno Putzeys’ article in the October 2024 Home Theater Hi Fi. It answered all my current questions about Class D amplifiers. The use of GaN FETs and higher switching frequencies boils down to a cost tradeoff between the more expensive GaN FETs and the possibly less expensive passive components. Since real world amplifier performance of the best class D amplifiers such as Purifi and Hypex seems to be more than adequate, there is no reason to increase the cost to gain performance that can’t be heard.

He does point out that because of the high cost to develop a new class D high quality amplifier in house, it is more efficient for the Hi-Fi manufacturers to add value to their products by integrating the power amplifier modules into their products tailored to specific applications like receivers, streamers, or integrated speakers.

Maybe I should wait to replace my inexpensive Sony receiver and circa 1987 ADS 1590 towers and with powered speakers.

Mmmm… ADS 1590’s, now there’s a nice memory.

 

[rjj]

I'm with you. I've been waiting for some reviews on the newer Class D Audio GAN amps too. Responding to some of these comments, I'd submit that the potential benefits include the small form factor and relative lack of heat, not just being able to deal with heavier loads or deal with heavy loads more consistently. I'd love to see reviews on the stereo 6.5 and the mono blocks, which are on sale as a package.

Matched Pair - Adjustable Gain - GaN FET Amplifier Mono-Blocks

Matched Pair - Premium AG GaN Mono-Block Audio Amplifiers: the best value in high-end audio and the best sounding GaN FET amplifier you've ever listened to.

classdaudio.com

GaN FET Amp: Premium 6.5 Class D Audio Review

Discover the Premium 6.5 Class D Audio GaN FET Amp, delivering 200W RMS per channel into 8 ohms. Explore specifications and features below for more details.

classdaudio.com

 

[Roland68]

I'm with you. I've been waiting for some reviews on the newer Class D Audio GAN amps too. Responding to some of these comments, I'd submit that the potential benefits include the small form factor and relative lack of heat, not just being able to deal with heavier loads or deal with heavy loads more consistently. I'd love to see reviews on the stereo 6.5 and the mono blocks, which are on sale as a package.

Matched Pair - Adjustable Gain - GaN FET Amplifier Mono-Blocks

Matched Pair - Premium AG GaN Mono-Block Audio Amplifiers: the best value in high-end audio and the best sounding GaN FET amplifier you've ever listened to.

classdaudio.com

GaN FET Amp: Premium 6.5 Class D Audio Review

Discover the Premium 6.5 Class D Audio GaN FET Amp, delivering 200W RMS per channel into 8 ohms. Explore specifications and features below for more details.

classdaudio.com

If people would actually look into GaN FET technology in relation to audio, they would realize that most of it is just a marketing gimmick, and nothing more.

In power supplies, it clearly offers advantages in terms of size, heat generation, and efficiency. However, these advantages diminish significantly when used as a power supply in an audio amplifier.

With a truly well-designed amplifier optimized for GaN technology, only 5-20% of the theoretical advantages remain, which at best translates to a 1-2% advantage over other Class D amplifiers.
And even then, the developer would deserve respect, because if the other measured values were comparable to those of the well-measured TPA3251/55 amplifiers, especially regarding load dependency at different impedances, then they would have done a fantastic job.

I remain eager to see independent AP measurements of such GaN FET amplifiers.

 

[boXem]

If people would actually look into GaN FET technology in relation to audio, they would realize that most of it is just a marketing gimmick, and nothing more.

In power supplies, it clearly offers advantages in terms of size, heat generation, and efficiency. However, these advantages diminish significantly when used as a power supply in an audio amplifier.

With a truly well-designed amplifier optimized for GaN technology, only 5-20% of the theoretical advantages remain, which at best translates to a 1-2% advantage over other Class D amplifiers.
And even then, the developer would deserve respect, because if the other measured values were comparable to those of the well-measured TPA3251/55 amplifiers, especially regarding load dependency at different impedances, then they would have done a fantastic job.

I remain eager to see independent AP measurements of such GaN FET amplifiers.

Fully agree, adding the questionable reliability of GaN in the specific case of audio application.

PS - although the TPA3251/55 based amps with PFFB offer an almost unbeatable performance/price ratio, the performance benchmark in class D are properly integrated Purifi modules.

 

[voodooless]

I'm with you. I've been waiting for some reviews on the newer Class D Audio GAN amps too. Responding to some of these comments, I'd submit that the potential benefits include the small form factor and relative lack of heat, not just being able to deal with heavier loads or deal with heavy loads more consistently. I'd love to see reviews on the stereo 6.5 and the mono blocks, which are on sale as a package.

Matched Pair - Adjustable Gain - GaN FET Amplifier Mono-Blocks

Matched Pair - Premium AG GaN Mono-Block Audio Amplifiers: the best value in high-end audio and the best sounding GaN FET amplifier you've ever listened to.

classdaudio.com

GaN FET Amp: Premium 6.5 Class D Audio Review

Discover the Premium 6.5 Class D Audio GaN FET Amp, delivering 200W RMS per channel into 8 ohms. Explore specifications and features below for more details.

classdaudio.com

Only 86 SINAD... This is for sure not the SOTA performance we're used to from Hypex of Purifi or some TPA implementations.