GaN transistors in amplifiers?

[frank7036]

Hi Alan,
Are you researching / trialling GaNFET devices in your amplifiers or do you think these devices are not the most cost effective way to improve sonic performance?
Lots of chatter out there about these and not everyone agrees that it’s necessary to go this way (e.g Lars Risbo/Bruno Putzeys).

PURIFI Audio and the Audiophile Style reader's Q&A with Lars Risbo & Bruno Putzeys

Q&A with Purifi Audio's Bruno Putzeys and Lars Risbo.

audiophilestyle.com

 

[Alan March]

Hi @frank7036

We do keep an eye on the GaN developments. However everything we have looked at so far simply doesn't perform as well as the Purifi.

GaN also cost significantly more, so really doesn't make much sense to go down that road at the moment.

Whilst there has been a lot of "noise" about GaN for audio over the past few years, the claimed benefits just havent been realised.

Improvements in efficiency are always welcome, but we are already into 90% + territory. The Purifi noise and distortion levels are already so low that improvements will be of negligible benefit.

So bottom line is, IMO we will over time migrate to GaN, but it certainly won't be a quantum leap in performance. So don't believe thr hype