NEW GaN Amplifier : Dual ACM8816 GaN amplifier chips + AK4118AEQ [YJCO D816]

[daniboun]

Hi amigos,

I’m sharing another discovery I made by chance while chatting with a guy on an audio forum. There is a GaN amplifier based on dual ACM8816 chips that features very comprehensive connectivity. This is actually a true dual-mono amplifier; the ACM8816 chip is inherently a mono chip with I2S digital input. (It could almost be described as an FDA)

There are several versions, with or without a PSU, ranging from 36V to 48V.
This could be a modern alternative to the TPA325x chips that are flooding the market...I think we'll need to wait a bit to get a better perspective on this little amp! But in any case, it's very interesting...

YJCO D816

About the ACM8816 Gan Chip

SPEC :

Ultra-Compact, Ultra-Powerful

300W×2 output in a palm-sized chassis (152×140×42mm) – fits anywhere, drives any bookshelf speakers with ease.

Next-Gen Bluetooth 5.4

Latest QCC3084 chip supports SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX-LL/LDAC – lossless wireless audio up to 24bit/96kHz. Yes, LDAC included!

Premium DAC & Amp Combo

• Dual ACM8816 GaN amplifier chips – pure, efficient power

• AK4118AEQ receiver chip – studio-grade digital audio decoding

• THD: 0.02% | SNR: 108dB – audiophile-level clarity



4 Inputs, Unlimited Sources

• OPT Optical | COAX Coaxial | USB | Bluetooth 5.4

• Optical/Coaxial: up to 24bit/192kHz

• USB: PCM 24bit/96kHz

 

[NotInYourHead]

Keeping an eye on this because I've not seen an amp based on these new GaN Chinese chips until now.
A shame it doesn't have analog inputs. They probably intend the amp to work out of the box as-is, no DACs required. At least BT is QCC-based and supports LDAC.

 

[MCH]

300w on a qfn48 package with nearly only heat relief a pad that is like 1/3 of the footprint. Now we are talking. I wouldn't use leaded solder with this one

 

[NotInYourHead]

Keeping an eye on this because I've not seen an amp based on these new GaN Chinese chips until now.
A shame it doesn't have analog inputs. They probably intend the amp to work out of the box as-is, no DACs required. At least BT is QCC-based and supports LDAC.

WTH, they sell the bare board for 1/2 the price of the D816 too

 

[Guddu]

Hi amigos,

I’m sharing another discovery I made by chance while chatting with a guy on an audio forum. There is a GaN amplifier based on dual ACM8816 chips that features very comprehensive connectivity. This is actually a true dual-mono amplifier; the ACM8816 chip is inherently a mono chip with I2S digital input. (It could almost be described as an FDA)

There are several versions, with or without a PSU, ranging from 36V to 48V.
This could be a modern alternative to the TPA325x chips that are flooding the market...I think we'll need to wait a bit to get a better perspective on this little amp! But in any case, it's very interesting...
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YJCO D816

About the ACM8816 Gan Chip

SPEC :

Ultra-Compact, Ultra-Powerful

300W×2 output in a palm-sized chassis (152×140×42mm) – fits anywhere, drives any bookshelf speakers with ease.

Next-Gen Bluetooth 5.4

Latest QCC3084 chip supports SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX-LL/LDAC – lossless wireless audio up to 24bit/96kHz. Yes, LDAC included!

Premium DAC & Amp Combo

• Dual ACM8816 GaN amplifier chips – pure, efficient power

• AK4118AEQ receiver chip – studio-grade digital audio decoding

• THD: 0.02% | SNR: 108dB – audiophile-level clarity



4 Inputs, Unlimited Sources

• OPT Optical | COAX Coaxial | USB | Bluetooth 5.4

• Optical/Coaxial: up to 24bit/192kHz

• USB: PCM 24bit/96kHz

SINAD below 80db.

 

[OldTimer]

SINAD below 80db.

Is it true? Tested?

 

[Guddu]

Is it true? Tested?

based on available specs

 

[goryu]

Post filter feedback or open loop, frequency dependent frequency response?

 

[OldTimer]

PP

based on available specs

Still match to the price $90 if the sinad is true.

 

[Jon L]

Wonder how they sound compared to classic PCM to PWM amps like TACT and Panasonic SA-XR series using digital input. I do hope these amps sound good/decent..
Using their advertised specs of SNR 108 dB and THD of 0.02%, calculated SINAD would be 74dB

 

[kyuu]

We've seen time and time again that these GaN amps provide no benefit versus traditional ones. It's just a marketing buzzword.

 

[Bob from Florida]

We've seen time and time again that these GaN amps provide no benefit versus traditional ones. It's just a marketing buzzword.

The benefit is staying cool without heat sinks and fans. A GaN CPU would transform computers.

 

[dfuller]

0.02% THD is pretty poor. That's about 74dB SINAD. Probably audibly fine, but no advantage except for output power over a TPA3255. No option for PFFB either.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I'd like to see a scenario where it is relatively easy for @amirm to use thermal imaging to measure the respective heat generated by an ACM8816 GaN chip and a TPA3255 chip.

 

[NotInYourHead]

Wonder how they sound compared to classic PCM to PWM amps like TACT and Panasonic SA-XR series using digital input. I do hope these amps sound good/decent..
Using their advertised specs of SNR 108 dB and THD of 0.02%, calculated SINAD would be 74dB

At 1W, 1kHz, SNR 117 dB, total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) is only 0.02%, noise level ≤ 100μVrms.

This is what I found on a Chinese website: https://xcsztech.com/?company/57.html

 

[TonyJZX]

i saw an aliexpress link and now its gone lol

I think they are around $140 usd which is ok for what you are getting but these just do not have the refinement of the tpa3255

i would not buy a one box solution because you know things are going to age badly

i would prefer the BRZ dual tpa3255 thing and *some* kind of upstream dac

 

[daniboun]

I finally found some measurements. Let's be honest: GaN amps aren't revolutionary—at least not yet. In my opinion, we'll have to wait a bit longer to see this type of amp deliver performance worthy of a well-implemented TPA325X.
It's pretty cool to see that the frequency response is not dependent on the load...

See attached file

 

[daniboun]

0.02% THD is pretty poor. That's about 74dB SINAD. Probably audibly fine, but no advantage except for output power over a TPA3255. No option for PFFB either.

In my humble opinion, a conventional amplifier based on GaN transistor technology—featuring an analog topology and fully balanced inputs would be preferable to a GaN "chip amp" with digital inputs.
It is clear that the ACM8816 chip appears to be the limiting factor here.

Incidentally, if you take a look at the Orchard Audio module—which is based on a classic topology—you’ll see superb performance.

Checkout measurements :

https://orchardaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Starkrimson_25_Specifications_1-1.pdf