Will Gan Fet replace tubes in the future?

[TopRound‎]

I have heard several GAn Fet amps in the last two shows I have been to, and I must say I am impressed, crystalline clarity with color and tone. I can see a good tube pre in front making wonderful tunes.
Is it the same as tubes, not exactly but it moves closer to them than any of the previous topologies I have heard before, IMO.

what say you?
Shall we sword fight?

I think I may buy one for my son. I have an old Dynaco Pass 3 preamp thats been modded, could be a nice combo.

BS artist formerly known as topround

[rollo]

  The Dynaco will add some nice color. Liking the LSA Warp -1 class D right now.

charles

[steve]

There have been and are inherent flaws in devices and topologies that render the very best
solid A, AB amps sounding different than the very best vacuum tube components.

One of the largest differences are the large ufd electrolytic capacitors in the output stage of the amplifier.
This is due to the comparative low voltage/high current vs the high voltage/low current of tube
output stages. These large capacitors have high DA (dielectric absorption) and ESR (equivalent series
resistance).

Distortion spectra, odd number harmonics vs even harmonics, although HD and IMD can be minimized
with enough global negative feedback. But then some feel GNF has problems as well.

Some solid state devices can have high internal capacitances, high Miller capacitance, high DA of
insulating materials, high ESR of the materials used. Hexfets have been known
to have junction capacitances of .001uf, the junction capacitance varying with voltage applied,
up to ~25 volts.

Other SS devices have quite low capacitances, but still high DA and ESR.

An interesting problem I accidentally encountered decades ago involved bleedthru with reversed biased
1N914, 1N4148 diodes.

Too late to think about more differences.

cheers

steve

[Nick B]

I have heard several GAn Fet amps in the last two shows I have been to, and I must say I am impressed, crystalline clarity with color and tone. I can see a good tube pre in front making wonderful tunes.
Is it the same as tubes, not exactly but it moves closer to them than any of the previous topologies I have heard before, IMO.

what say you?
Shall we sword fight?

I think I may buy one for my son. I have an old Dynaco Pass 3 preamp thats been modded, could be a nice combo.

BS artist formerly known as topround

Hmmm...the name sounds familiar ....
Phoenix (mythology) - Wikipedia
Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again.

[Nick B]

  The Dynaco will add some nice color. Liking the LSA Warp -1 class D right now.

charles

Charles,
Can you compare the Warp 1 to some other amps? Not just Class D types...

[rollo]

  It is just a neutral sound with weight. Since we listen to a system that is the best I can offer. Adds nothing subtracts nothing. Very dynamic and quiet.

charles

[ejk]

  The Dynaco will add some nice color. Liking the LSA Warp -1 class D right now.

charles

Charles,
Can you compare the Warp 1 to some other amps? Not just Class D types...

Nick it seems that what ever you read about these amps most say the same thing. It has no sound it has no color etc... but to me thats a sound and it seems like no one is able to describe it which makes no sense. I think it can still sound dull, harsh etc... I just dont get it

[rollo]

 I can assure you the Warp-1 is not dull, harsh, dry , bright or thin. It has wonderful natural tonality and harmonics. Just wonderful reviews. $1100 to boot. Sold by Underwoodie Hi Fi.

charles

[Nick B]

  The Dynaco will add some nice color. Liking the LSA Warp -1 class D right now.

charles

Charles,
Can you compare the Warp 1 to some other amps? Not just Class D types...

Nick it seems that what ever you read about these amps most say the same thing. It has no sound it has no color etc... but to me thats a sound and it seems like no one is able to describe it which makes no sense. I think it can still sound dull, harsh etc... I just dont get it

Evan,

I was trying to get a handle where it might fit in comparison to my AVA SET 120...a great little amp. I'm in the queue for Leo's Ultra amp, so unlikely I'll audition the Warp 1

[ejk]

I can assure you the Warp-1 is not dull, harsh, dry , bright or thin. It has wonderful natural tonality and harmonics. Just wonderful reviews. $1100 to boot. Sold by Underwoodie Hi Fi.

charles

Charles my point is how do we know its natural. That to me is subjective

[rollo]

I can assure you the Warp-1 is not dull, harsh, dry , bright or thin. It has wonderful natural tonality and harmonics. Just wonderful reviews. $1100 to boot. Sold by Underwoodie Hi Fi.

charles

Charles my point is how do we know its natural. That to me is subjective

  It made no coloration in my system got out of the way. Again my system and the systems used by the reviewers. They said the same thing. Only one way to find out. Try it easy to return.

charles

[ejk]

https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/article/21248978/electronic-design-gan-is-pushing-the-envelope-in-power-electronics

Looks like they r even here

[Nick B]

I'll admit, for some reason, that I'm a bit skeptical of an $1,100 LSA Warp 1 amp being that good. But I was a bit prejudiced against the AVA amps until Jack recommended the AVA SET 120 as he has the higher powered SET 400. I was absolutely wrong and the 120 is terrific, so it would probably be a good idea if I kept a more open mind 

[ejk]

I'll admit, for some reason, that I'm a bit skeptical of an $1,100 LSA Warp 1 amp being that good. But I was a bit prejudiced against the AVA amps until Jack recommended the AVA SET 120 as he has the higher powered SET 400. I was absolutely wrong and the 120 is terrific, so it would probably be a good idea if I kept a more open mind 

You can stick with AVA

https://avahifi.com/products/black-friday-sale?_pos=1&_sid=93589b864&_ss=r

[Jack]

While Frank makes very good amps as Nick has found out I don't think he is going to give up his Supratek for that preamp as I know I wouldn't.