Threads in this forum have addressed listening chairs, power conditioners, cables, DAC's, amps, etc., etc. Recently I acquired a pair of gaNfets, gallium nitride amps from Class D Audio. The transformation in listening was so profound I had to share it. Originally shared on ASR's site:
"I thought I might weigh in on the Premium Audio mini Gan 5. After reading Daniboun's comments, and fully aware of Amir's really troubling measurements, I contacted Tom Rost at Class D Audio to discuss. Tom suggested that the unit Amir measured was "broken." Although I found Tom's other answers to my questions less than compelling, Class D Audio allows a 15-day trial period. So, for the total shipping cost of $32 I could try this "new" technology and decide for myself. I ordered a pair of mini Gan 5's ($1,400) to use as monoblocks. Tom indicates that as monoblocks they output 300 watts @ 8ohms and 400 watts @ 4ohms. To be truthful, I was expecting, yes the dreaded BIAS!!, the units to be less, far less in fact, than they were advertised to be, i.e., class A quality (?), audiophile quality, SOTA, and so on. After several email inquiries/responses with Tom, I wanted to be generous but Amir’s measurements on ASR really troubled me. Nonetheless, I ordered a pair and several days ago I received a large box containing two small boxes each housing a diminutive, solidly built albeit sober 5 lb. amp. No audiophile jewelry here and, frankly, I’m grateful for that. Upon hook-up and initial turn on, only a barely, and I mean just barely, discernable hiss with my ear almost touching the tweeter cover of Spatial Audio Sapphire M3's. The internal blue led's indicated the amps were operating - SO FAR SO GOOD. I waited several hours and then couldn't help myself. Put on Ben Webster "Stormy Weather" and, and,................................., I was astonished. Ben's sax was utterly corporeal, burnished, with the most life-like tone color and dynamics I've heard. As Daniboun noted, the bass is also exemplary. I won’t claim that the M3's may as well be different speakers but....I hadn’t heard them sounding this musical previously. The bass is so alive - propulsive, dense tone, with excellent texture and pitch. String tone is sweet and superbly textured. Instrument placing across the soundstage is precise and well differentiated. Listening to the Baz Trio, an exceptional recording of a great piano trio, and, again, just sat transfixed. Piano tone was dense, rich, pure with superb dynamic scaling. Same with Charlap _ Notes from New York. Bass is really noticeably more present. Listened to Lovano, Monk, Charlap, Evans, Davis, Pepper, Baker, etc. Snare has greater snap and definition. The sound is utterly refined and by that I guess I mean no discernable noise, hash, grit, grain, glare, edge - nothing one would ordinarily associate with class D and all emanating from a dead silent black background. This ain’t your father’s class D. All listenings were revelatory compared to previous listenings. The clarity, transparency, and resolution are among the best I’ve heard from any circuit topology. In fact, last night I got up around midnight just to come downstairs and listen. Haven't done that in probably 25 years. I've run the M3's with (a sampling but not all kit): tubes (Psvane 845, VTL 6550's), class D mosfet (Bel Canto eRef 600's), and class A-A/B sand amps (Pass, Sim Audio, Levinson) - all as monoblocks. These 5 lb. toys are not just competitive but, IMO, superior to all I’ve owned. And it's not like you have to ponder, stroke your beard and look to the heavens for signs. Upon the first hearing it seemed rather obvious. Like Daniboun, I don't care to, and won't, get into the subjective/objective debate. Yes, ceteris paribus, I would prefer kit with superior objective measurements. But, as noted in the opinion piece (As We See It) in the Jan., 2019 issue of Stereophile (Vol.42, No.1), too many unanswered questions about measurements and their relationship/impact on audio quality and listening preferences. In truth, I just don't give a shit anymore. As I noted elsewhere in this forum, I want to be ravished by music and if it sounds good, I don't care if it's generated by mice spinning a wheel. These amps are transformational in my system. I don’t mean to gush but when the listening experience is transformed to this degree, well, I have to report what I’m hearing. I consider it a public service announcement. I'm not typically given to excess. I understand the objectivists will howl and curse my name as they dance around the bonfire under the full moon. Don’t care. Think I'm full of shit? Maybe I am - but all you need to do is try gallium nitride GanFets.. As noted I went with Tom at Class D Audio and confirmed a trial period of 15 days as advertised on the website. If you try this product and don't agree with me, in the worst case you're out $32 for shipping for 15 days to listen. But, be prepared to keep the units because you may find your listening experience transformed. BTW, I'm not affiliated or associated in any way with Premium Audio or Class D Audio."
