GAN amp/Mytech

Randy Myers said:
Ok, I finally found these guys. Not an easy find :). I totally understand R&D cost, etc., etc. But if these guys are offering GanFET amplifiers under $1000, and none over $2000 then why are these others, equally new or less known companies charging $5k - $10k?

It almost seems like there must be OEM GanFET modules now available. Or is it similar to Purifi Class D, where manufactures could purchase modules or the technology and design their own versions, such as what T+A did.
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To give a complete answer would require a deep dive and from someone more technically minded. I have learned that like any amp it's the sum of the parts not just one, like a module etc. I've also learned as in class A/B, class D needs a good power supply. A light weight switching power supply will make the amp less robust. The power supply is why some class D with same power rating can't compete with class A/B. Class D always looks good on paper but some fall short in real life. Usually it's the cheaper variety where costs had to be cut somewhere. Class D will still measure well with a not so adequate power supply. Another area is clipping, Some class D will compress when running out of steam or power supply stresses yet they will still show good distortion measurements.
 
I completely understand this, of course. They are not all the same. My comment was more about that the cost of designing a GanFET was so high when this other company is selling 150wpc GanFET amp for under $1000. I understand that Mytek may well be using better power supplies, etc., but to be over 10x higher... I would imagine a T+A, Levinson, McIntosh, ARC, etc., justifying that, but Mytek, while well regarded gear, is not on that level :)... just my humble opinion.

I have had a number of class D amps over the years, and the only one that really sounded very good was the NAD. I was even considering a McIntosh class D when I bought my new amp. The man I spoke with at McIntosh, who was a nephew of a friend of mine from back in high school we came to find out, highly recommended their standard amps. He said that his opinion was that their class D were solid amps, and very good for home theater applications, but for a pure music system their standard amps were definitely a better choice.
 
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Randy Myers said:
I completely understand this, of course. They are not all the same. My comment was more about that the cost of designing a GanFET was so high when this other company is selling 150wpc GanFET amp for under $1000. I understand that Mytek may well be using better power supplies, etc., but to be over 10x higher... I would imagine a T+A, Levinson, McIntosh, ARC, etc., justifying that, but Mytek, while well regarded gear, is not on that level :)... just my humble opinion.

I have had a number of class D amps over the years, and the only one that really sounded very good was the NAD. I was even considering a McIntosh class D when I bought my new amp. The man I spoke with at McIntosh, who was a nephew of a friend of mine from back in high school we came to find out, highly recommended their standard amps. He said that his opinion was that their class D were solid amps, and very good for home theater applications, but for a pure music system their standard amps were definitely a better choice.
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I am running McIntosh's "intended for custom install" 2 channel Class D amp right now to drive the woofers in my bookshelf sonusfabers. I find them to be more pleasant than the E-Purifi based Audiophonics unit I had several years back.
 
Randy Myers said:
I completely understand this, of course. They are not all the same. My comment was more about that the cost of designing a GanFET was so high when this other company is selling 150wpc GanFET amp for under $1000. I understand that Mytek may well be using better power supplies, etc., but to be over 10x higher... I would imagine a T+A, Levinson, McIntosh, ARC, etc., justifying that, but Mytek, while well regarded gear, is not on that level :)... just my humble opinion.

I have had a number of class D amps over the years, and the only one that really sounded very good was the NAD. I was even considering a McIntosh class D when I bought my new amp. The man I spoke with at McIntosh, who was a nephew of a friend of mine from back in high school we came to find out, highly recommended their standard amps. He said that his opinion was that their class D were solid amps, and very good for home theater applications, but for a pure music system their standard amps were definitely a better choice.
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Because the real Audio Companies are not buying an off the shelf GaNfet. Ralph is building his as do Gold Note, Orchard AGD... T=A is not building a Ganfet that I am aware of... many of these chi-fi companies are buying OS cheap chips.
 
Mr Peabody said:
To give a complete answer would require a deep dive and from someone more technically minded. I have learned that like any amp it's the sum of the parts not just one, like a module etc. I've also learned as in class A/B, class D needs a good power supply. A light weight switching power supply will make the amp less robust. The power supply is why some class D with same power rating can't compete with class A/B. Class D always looks good on paper but some fall short in real life. Usually it's the cheaper variety where costs had to be cut somewhere. Class D will still measure well with a not so adequate power supply. Another area is clipping, Some class D will compress when running out of steam or power supply stresses yet they will still show good distortion measurements.
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T+A (T+A elektroakustik) does not currently manufacture a Gallium Nitride (GaN-FET) amplifier. If you are looking for high-end audio amplification utilizing GaN-FET switching technology, prominent brands offering these designs include Peachtree Audio (like the GaN 1), Mytek, Orchard Audio, and AGD Production
 
RepublicOfTexas69 said:
T+A (T+A elektroakustik) does not currently manufacture a Gallium Nitride (GaN-FET) amplifier. If you are looking for high-end audio amplification utilizing GaN-FET switching technology, prominent brands offering these designs include Peachtree Audio (like the GaN 1), Mytek, Orchard Audio, and AGD Production
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T+A is using E-Purifi custom built. They license the tech (they do not buy pre-made modules) and then design and build the amplifiers themselves. The only company I have seen mentioned manufacturing GaN-FET class D that I would currently consider is Atma-Sphere. Not to say that none of the companies are any good, but I do have some experience with a couple I have seen mentioned and I would not touch them with a ten-foot pole.
 
Randy Myers said:
T+A is using E-Purifi custom built. They license the tech (they do not buy pre-made modules) and then design and build the amplifiers themselves. The only company I have seen mentioned manufacturing GaN-FET class D that I would currently consider is Atma-Sphere. Not to say that none of the companies are any good, but I do have some experience with a couple I have seen mentioned and I would not touch them with a ten-foot pole.
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Like I said they are not using GaNFET... And good for you, AGD, Atmasphere and Gold Note are fine amplifiers. You do you personally I would not touch a McIntosh product with a 20 foot pole. Been there done that extremely overrated in my opinion.
 
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Randy Myers said:
I completely understand this, of course. They are not all the same. My comment was more about that the cost of designing a GanFET was so high when this other company is selling 150wpc GanFET amp for under $1000. I understand that Mytek may well be using better power supplies, etc., but to be over 10x higher... I would imagine a T+A, Levinson, McIntosh, ARC, etc., justifying that, but Mytek, while well regarded gear, is not on that level :)... just my humble opinion.

I have had a number of class D amps over the years, and the only one that really sounded very good was the NAD. I was even considering a McIntosh class D when I bought my new amp. The man I spoke with at McIntosh, who was a nephew of a friend of mine from back in high school we came to find out, highly recommended their standard amps. He said that his opinion was that their class D were solid amps, and very good for home theater applications, but for a pure music system their standard amps were definitely a better choice.
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I'm not sure why you'd say that about Mytek. They make good stuff. Their reputation was built in the Pro side before making highly regarded DAC's and now amps. The one in the original post is their flagship they have a couple cheaper models. To ask why you can buy one for cheap 150x2 and this one is $10k 200x2 is the same answer as any other class amplifier. In most instances you get what you pay for. Should I be able to buy a MSB for the same price as a Parasound Classic? I wish. Some modules are more expensive to begin with and some manufactureres put one in a box and call it an amp, some only use certain parts of the module, some hot rod it to see what extreme performance they can achieve. No matter the class the power supply is the heart and this goes for Class D as well. Get one of those cheap Class D you are talking about and see what happens with a difficult speaker load.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I'm not sure why you'd say that about Mytek. They make good stuff. Their reputation was built in the Pro side before making highly regarded DAC's and now amps. The one in the original post is their flagship they have a couple cheaper models. To ask why you can buy one for cheap 150x2 and this one is $10k 200x2 is the same answer as any other class amplifier. In most instances you get what you pay for. Should I be able to buy a MSB for the same price as a Parasound Classic? I wish. Some modules are more expensive to begin with and some manufactureres put one in a box and call it an amp, some only use certain parts of the module, some hot rod it to see what extreme performance they can achieve. No matter the class the power supply is the heart and this goes for Class D as well. Get one of those cheap Class D you are talking about and see what happens with a difficult speaker load.
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Mytek has been well regarded gear and has always been considered very good for the price. However, when it starts being priced against some of the long-standing names in the industry is when I say probably getting out of what they built their reputation on.
 
RepublicOfTexas69 said:
Like I said they are not using GaNFET... And good for you, AGD, Atmasphere and Gold Note are fine amplifiers. You do you personally I would not touch a McIntosh product with a 20 foot pole. Been there done that extremely overrated in my opinion.
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Like we say, to each their own.

There is a very good reason why McIntosh is the best-selling used gear in the industry. I have sold many an item and McIntosh is the single, only company that sells almost immediately when it is advertised.

I also grew up in the shadow of the factory in Binghamton NY, the place where their equipment continues to be built all of these years later (2 Chambers St, a street that the McIntosh factory takes up one side of the road; it is off Conklin Ave. My High School was on Conklin Ave.).

I have tried many products; some very good, some not so much. I am happier with my Mc gear than any of the other pieces I have owned over the past 50+ years (not that some of the others were not excellent).

Before I get accused of changing the topic or whatever in this thread, this particular post was for one reason and one reason only. Another member decided to dump on my hometown company with one of the most staller reputations in the market. I had to do my quick defense, and again to each their own.
 
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