AGD The Audion MKIII Monoblock Amplifier Review

Richard Drutman returns with his review of the AGD THE AUDION MkIII Monoblock, which he compares and contrasts with the BHK monoblock amplifiers. Watch our separate review of the BHK's here: • The PS Audio BHK Mono ...
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Who is Richard Drutman?
Richard is a NYC based film writer/director/editor at TriodePictures.com, creating films/spots for high profile clients including The World Trade Center, Oscar winning actors, renown artists and his own international festival shorts, recently screening at Cannes Short Film Corner. His passion for high quality audio has been a lifelong endeavor whether listening, mixing/recording in the studio or on location with his collection of mics from Neumann, Schoeps and AKG. He is currently in pre-production with the true crime thriller feature film, Heritance.
Richard's System:
-TAD CR-1 + Enigmacoustics supertweeters
-Velodyne DD10plus subs on Sistrum stands,
-Atma-Sphere MA1MKIII
-PS Audio BHK300 monoblocksNOS Siemans CCA
-Atma-sphere MP1 remote pre, TTW Momentus Supreme table on Herzan active vibration
-Graham Phantom II, Soundsmith Strain Gauge SG400,
-PS Audio Directream MKII/APS Transformers
-AQ Niagara 7000
-Iconoclast Gen 2 speaker/XLR cables,
-Audioquest Hurricane & USB Diamond.
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, KZbin and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

[@Megamare1]

I bought the Tempo di GaN They “woke up“ every speaker I own and tried with, better perceived driver control and soundstage . So good, now just gonna sell all my other amps!? 😵‍💫. Amazing class D GaN topology 💯

[@RDAudioReviews]

Glad you concur with my findings. Richard

[@peterw2714]

Other KZbin reviewers have nothing but praise for these amplifiers.

[@bra69er]

This review sums up why I chose the AGD Audions for my system. I wanted something that isn't the size of a microwave oven, doesn't draw massive power (I have the system on all day) and looks great. However, the sound of these amps is just spectacular! They are so transparent and the dynamics are capable of really making you jump! These amps can drive difficult loads but also sound fabulous with high efficiency speakers such as Avantgarde Duo's.

[@alexanderreed2144]

Great review! A true audio connoisseur.

[@RDAudioReviews]

Hey thanks for watching!

[@oldschoolaudioenthusiast]

Great review! Hope you'll be doing more for TAS!

[@scottm499]

Thanks for a great review Richard.

[@RDAudioReviews]

I appreciate the encouragement. Richard

[@stimpy1226]

This is why Nelson Pass purchased tens of thousands of specialty field effect transistors and has hoarded them because he knew that he was going to use them in future designs.

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for watching. Yes this is a great analogy to another designer who bought every transistor he could when he found something special and not readily available. Thanks for adding this story. Richard

[@RennieAsh]

It also helps build a great story and exclusivity which is what sells

[@RDAudioReviews]

@@RennieAsh Thanks for watching. I have another set of low cost GAN amps I use for home theater, (shown in video) and I should really try them with my TAD's to see how a more entry level GAN compares with the high end - all out version.

[@stimpy1226]

Most of Patricia Barber’s recordings are so outstanding that most listeners can hear just about everything because of start to finish proper recording, mixing and mastering techniques.

[@RDAudioReviews]

Totally agree - I played a couple of Patrica Barber's tracks for a talented musician friend who had never hear her music. He really loved her performaces and interpretation of standards, and of course so well recorded by Jim Anderson. Thanks for watching. Richard

[@johntucker5994]

Your point about adding a tube preamp before the AGD Audion was a good one; and I believe would likely improve soundstaging and perhaps other aspects of the sound. But, as you tested the amps, comparing the AGD to the PS Audio, which was better at evoking your emotions in listening to music?

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for watching. I really think it depends on your speaker and setup what will convey the emotional aspects the best. The TAD's provide a lot of inner detail, and I also run super tweeters, and had no preamp in the system, to alleviate any interactions, but I know people running the AGD with tube preamps and they say its a great combo. Richard

[@jimfrazier8611]

Hate to break it to you guys, but Class D amps are basically switching power supplies. They just vary the output voltage to track the input audio signal, rather than maintaining steady output voltage or tracking battery charging current. The properties of GaN FETs that make them work so well for Class D (extremely rapid on/off switching and very low source-drain resistance) also make them work well for any type of switching power supply or motor controller. Hell, even the newest F-35 radar uses GaN FETs to modulate the output pulses, because their fast switching makes them able to handle more power without overheating. Not to say that they aren't extremely well-engineered and fantastic-sounding amps, but there's nothing about them that can't be recreated with other GaN FETs once the original sample group is used up.

[@charlesmiller6281]

Hate to break it to you but... a grain of truth followed by misleading narrative is really just misleading narrative.

[@jimfrazier8611]

@@charlesmiller6281 It's also called marketing hype.

[@charlesmiller6281]

​@@jimfrazier8611 Because, fighter jet. Right. Got it.

[@jimfrazier8611]

@@charlesmiller6281 The point being, it's all transistors switching on and off extremely rapidly, and GaN FETs are great for that. Again, the AGDs may be fantastic amps, but there will be other great GaN FET amps coming down the line. If these particular transistors really are all that rare and special, AGD may have already run out of them, and have been substituting run-of-the-mill GaN FETs. Since class D is an almost perfect application for ultra-fast switching, high-current capable semiconductors like GaN FETs, how would we know the difference?

[@charlesmiller6281]

@@jimfrazier8611 You could try listening.

[@spacejaime]

Excellent review! Top cover on the BHK monos is high gloss piano black? Is that factory?

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Yes the BHK top is high gloss from the factory. Richard

[@spacejaime]

@@RDAudioReviews - thanks.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Nice review - Well Done!!

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I'm normally behind the camera and gained a new respect for on-camera talent! Richard

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@RDAudioReviews you may not know this, but I’ve done a few reviews on the channel. I’m new to the channel, but I really enjoy watching yours.

[@RDAudioReviews]

@@adrianalexander2651 Hi yes I now realize I've watched your reviews and tried to steal as much of your on-camera comfortable style and good looks as possible - LOL - If you're ever in NYC would love to have you over for a listen. Richard

[@adrianalexander2651]

Richard, I love New York and I’ll take you up on your offer. I also admire what you did with the fuse review talk about a controversy. I thought it was a great review.

[@ksukhia]

LOVE Illinois, amazing record.

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for the comment. While the recording was high tech or high res, the aesthetic was right on and sonically it shows. The show is coming to Broadway for a limited run and has gotten great reviews. Richard.

[@SuperMcgenius]

Great review.

[@RDAudioReviews]

I appreciate the kind words. It was a lot of fun comparing these two very different amps, and getting paid to do so! Richard

[@marcmccormick2343]

It was International Rectifier who introduced the GaNfet chips. Heard them at THE show, and they sound very good!

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for watching and this additional info. Richard

[@305bigbear]

Currently used with Totem Metal V2's!!!!!!!!!!!

[@305bigbear]

Backert Labs Rhythm 1.4 pre-amp.

[@net_news]

GaN alternative with down to earth prices: Orchard Audio

[@eddievega1100]

How hot do they get ?

[@Albert-nj9xm]

depending on the ambient temperature, the case between 34 and 38°C and the Glass maybe around 40~42°C

[@chatnboy]

100 degrees farn.

[@dougg1075]

Cool

[@aa5az423]

I really enjoyed the backstory

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thank you. I thought the origin story was interesting, and wanted to include it in my review. I didn't have much interaction with AGD and never got to ask Alberto if what I read was correct, so hopefully I got is mostly right. Richard.

[@whocares0503]

Heard Orchard Audio's version in a lot of different music situations etc. I was impressed and I pre-ordered a pair of monoblocks for 2k. I really doubt there is major difference even if there was, I doubt it's a 5k plus one...

[@RDAudioReviews]

I also use much less expensive GAN amps from ClassDaudio - as can be seen in my review, for home theater use. One day I'll have to try them on my 2 channel system to get a handle on how close they come to the Audion. Thanks for watching my review- Richard

[@whocares0503]

@@RDAudioReviews I know about ClassDAudio also. Leo's new premium monoblocks kick it up a notch and also modular inside. They are just so clean and dynamic to my ears. Wouldn't necessary mind a multi-channel home theater Gan amp either! I just feel in the audiophile world everything shouldn't have 5 figures in cost! I am just not a snob in this respect! I mean AGD has amps in the 5 figure world too. Thanks for reading and responding to my comment! Continued luck with TAS and other endeavors!

[@RDAudioReviews]

@@whocares0503 I personally was waiting for a 5 channel (or more) GAN amp for home theater, but seems no one makes one. The solution I came up with was 3 monoblocks from classDaudio, as shown in the review. The nice thing about monoblocks is that you can run long XLR cables and have the amps right by the speakers for short speaker cable runs. I soldered up some long 5 volt trigger cables for remote on/off. The improvement going to GAN amps (at least for L-C-R) was quite a large upgrade over the emotiva class H amps I was using (and still use for surround channels).

[@DBravo29er]

Great review! I am looking forward to seeing GAN adoption outside of output devices in Class-D amps. SMPS usage, and employment in Class-A and A/B designs. The GaN's inherent resistance to thermal runaway, and much higher temperature envelope (they can be just fine *well* past 100C; no normal silicon device is capable of that), along with their better electrical efficiency, means they can also bring improvements to the A/B space.

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for watching. I do believe GAN is used for power supplies, but yes they could be beneficial in other components. I'm not an electrical engineer, so really can't add much to that discussion. Richard.

[@DBravo29er]

@@RDAudioReviews It's mostly smart device & computer power supplies for now. Anker, for example, uses the GaN tech in many of their phone chargers.

[@trevorharrison29]

Got me thinking about bi amping. AGD for the tweeters and BHK for the bass? 😊,

[@net_news]

class-D is the best for bass

[@RDAudioReviews]

I don't think the gain structure would work without an attenuator or active crossover, but in theory it would sound quite good. Thanks for watching. Richard.

[@Albert-nj9xm]

The best solution would be AGD Audion on the mid high and AGD Duet on the mid low section, they have the same gain, so the solution is an easy implementation. One can obtain the same solution (not the same sonic results) using 2 AGD Tempo, dedicating each amp channel to each speaker (low side and high side). All AGD amps have the same gain (within 0.05db) and therefore they do not require any additional intervention to compensate for output level.

[@bilguana11]

Please compare them to the GANFET amps by Orchard. Have any independent audio engineers confirmed that AGD got the best GANFETS?

[@RDAudioReviews]

I have the much lower priced GAN amps from CLassDaudio ash show in my review, and will have to move them from my home theater rig to the TAD's for a listen. Thanks for watching, Richard.

[@johnshaw359]

$7850 for a fancy class D amp that dissipates so little heat it can be put in a glass tube. A bit of a con trick IMHO.

[@RDAudioReviews]

Thanks for watching. Yes the price is high, but let's not forget these are not mass produced items, but rather small batch built to order and sold in small quantity, which always means higher cost. I did compare them with amps that were quite a bit more expensive. The heat dissipation and energy efficiency are a plus, not a negative. Also as I showed an image of, there are much more reasonably priced GAN mono block amps (around $700 per channel and even a stereo one for $750) from ClassDaudio that also perform quite well. (I didn't compare them to the AGD, since the other amps are in my home theater system). The nice thing about high end audio today is that there is a product and price level for most every consumer. Audio gear lasts a long time and I think represents a good value if you keep gear, without trading up every year or two as many audiophiles do. Richard

[@supercompooper]

I kind of don't like that they've tried to put these in a vacuum tube for no practical reason. That bothers me. It's like putting synergistic research quantum stickers on something. Or bedazzling it with swarovski crystals.

[@Albert-nj9xm]

Well, then please indicate another amp of equivalent sonic qualities (or not) that can be upgraded to a new level of performance, without the use of a screwdriver, in 5 to 10sec max (and without any risk to electrocuting the customer), and in doing so helping to retain the investment done by the user for long period, measured in years. That is the practical reason. Then we can give you many others of course, but this one we think is quite important.

[@DBTAudio]

The user can upgrade the output stages as new modules are offered and if you had to swap one out due to an issue, the user can easily manage the field repair or upgrade. It’s a brilliant idea and limits the need for one to send their amp to the manufacturer for repair or an upgrade if you have an issue with the output stage. Your Pooper name bothers me too!😜

[@supercompooper]

@@DBTAudio I think it's great that people make modules but those typically have sockets and don't need to be disguised as a nostalgic tube with a glowing light in it right? I'm slightly sorry that my supercomputer name bothers you, as it's just silly and in good fun and makes me worry that you might not appreciate silly fun things. I'd kind of like the amp more without the retro tube aesthetic.

[@supercompooper]

@@Albert-nj9xm how many different modules have they created? And couldn't the internal circuitry also technically be upgraded so why limit oneself only to this tube envelope? People have been making things that can plug into sockets for a long time. I have a DAC for instance, The aqua formula, that is also very modular and has had several upgrades. I just think that this tube look disguises the better ideas within.

[@supercompooper]

@@Albert-nj9xm on their website they seem to have a new 'tube module' but it is limited potentially to 200 W if The underlying chassis is an older model. So I guess if you want to upgrade you have to send it in anyway.

[@1moderntalking1]

I heard the AGD at a recent Sydney hifi show…not impressed at all.

[@techrider2088]

Did you think the sound is as described in this review?

[@MasterofPlay7]

What do they sound like? Like too harsh or something?

[@1moderntalking1]

@@techrider2088 well it was bland and lifeless.

[@1moderntalking1]

@@techrider2088bass control and definition is ok but no musicality and no lushness. Not sure why. I was initially excited to finally hear the AGD but came away quite disappointed. This was the same with the March Audio room and both used class D amps. Could be the reason?

[@RennieAsh]

​@@techrider2088people heard random speakers in a random room with noisy people and you think they can tell the sound of an amplifier which shouldn't really sound like anything?

[@glenncurry3041]

What I keep hearing in your comparison between a Class D and a Class AB are pretty much what would be expected. The chopped up Class D will exaggerate "detail", create high frequency edges inventing information. While the Class AB will give a continuous, contiguous signal. No artificial enhancements. Back in the day when I sold Studio cameras to TV stations we called it edge enhancement. An artificial over and under shoot to transitional edges. The better models had dual edge enhancements.

[@dicmccoy]

What I hear is a slow, wooly, exaggerated bass out of Class A/B. Class D is tighter, faster, more controlled, but sounds leaner if you're used to the exaggerated bass on Class A/B. Neither topologies are perfect. They each have their pros and cons. Choose your poison.

[@saint6563]

He never said "artificial" nor "exaggerated". The detail he perceived was more accurate. Don't get it twisted.

[@customconsult3045]

Question… what happens when “unobtainable” output devices fail? Is there a plan to hold back parts for repairs in 1 year? 5? 10?

[@glenncurry3041]

@@dicmccoy Don't buy cheap A/B and you won't hear bad crap! To claim A/B inherently "is a slow, wooly, exaggerated bass" shows a complete lack of knowledge of circuit design.

[@glenncurry3041]

@@saint6563 When you keep hearing the same code words from reviews when they describe what they hear it becomes very easy to read between the lines. And I gave specific design examples of why.

[@TheBodhisattvaWisdom]

Spatzst terribel

[@masterazlan6999]

There u go class D.. perfections.. Ha4 Peace!

[@montynorth3009]

Class D with output transistors of the highest performance or Class A or AB? I'll stick with A & AB. Class D will continue to be phased out of Audiophile products, because it offers no improvement in ultimate fidelity.

[@marcinwasilewski5414]

I'll stick with class A too, tube SET to be precise ;)

[@net_news]

Pure class A or tubes. Don't like A/B and even less class-D. Class-D is great for subs though.

[@DBTAudio]

Have you heard these AGD amps? The positive reviews are not fake hype. I own them and have them paired with above average gear. They smoke…. Period!

[@net_news]

@@DBTAudio they are crazy expensive and hard to find tell me how people would heard them. c'mon...

[@DBTAudio]

@@net_news You said you don’t like class D, hence I asked if you’d ever heard them. I heard them at a dealer’s shop and he let me bring them home. They sounded better at my house in my setup, so I bought them. I’m speaking from personal experience with the amps, although I know our choice of sound is our personal taste. But you’d have to hear them before you write them off. In the audiophile world, they are not expensive. Gryphon, D’Agostino, and many other brands are expensive, not these. They are not the typical class D plate amps you slap on the back of your subwoofer. I did a direct comparison with my Parasound JC5 and they outperformed it. Unfortunately, I had already sold my Luxman L509x integrated before I auditioned the AGD amps and I had different speakers paired with the Luxman, but the AGD’s are special. I’ve swapped out a few pieces of gear and a cable loom as well, and these amps delivered what ever the gear fed them. Whenever I lacked something and questioned the amps, a simple swap of gear or a cable gave me what I was looking for and the amps were simply delivering as my gear was lacking or performing! My system is very revealing and cable swaps and gear swaps can be heard very easily.

[@jamesrobinson9176]

No need to make up a back story. Sounds apocryphal.

[@calebkeen8967]

It's not - the designer told me the same story two years ago when I auditioned these amps at AXPONA.

[@jamesrobinson9176]

@@calebkeen8967 that plus 4 quarters is worth a dollar. It's just unnecessary for the review. And no, they don't sound tubelike, that's an old trope

[@DBravo29er]

@@jamesrobinson9176WRONG. I have a pair of 845 SET monoblocks and the AGD's absolutely do share some aspects of sound reproduction with tubes. Specifically, 300B and large RF Triodes. Have you even heard these amps??

[@DBTAudio]

@@jamesrobinson9176Have you heard them? Can you prove the story to be a lie?

[@jamesrobinson9176]

@@DBTAudio u win the internet today with that! Smh