AGD Audion MK3: Gorgeous Class D GaNFET amps...& the sound?

[@anadialog]

Specs are in the video description!

[@Roudaki677]

I met Alberto years ago at Axpona and we spoke at length, at the time I also was designing telecom equipment using GAN FETs and Alberto truly knows what he is doing. I also love the Audions. Now, you mentioned the VFET, I own almost all of Sony’s VFET amps as well as few other hidden Sony Gems that are a lot easier to repair, mainly the TA-3200 when paired directly with the TAE-2244 (supplements the low end frequencies of the 3200). Another absolute great Sony power amp is the TAN-86 when used in Class A. It rivals my pass power amps as well as most of of my Firstwatt models (I own 6 of them)

[@TM-fx2pi]

Great video. Very informative. Thank you.

[@Pksparty2112]

And archaeologists and an audiophile. Digging into the high end class D world. What a life!

[@ramlord6669]

Dear Guido, thank you for presenting the technology by Alberto. I am looking into the advances of Class D for a while now and AGD is definitively one of the most interesting out there. Especially the AGD Duet monos are on my list. Also glad that you use your familiar Baby-terminology a bit more again 🔥🐹🔥

[@anadialog]

Thank YOU!

[@AllboroLCD]

Looks, performance, modern tech and a decent value? Yes, sold 100%. Love to hear these up against a Starkrimson

[@sloboat55]

You are the first hifi ytr to use the word "sculpt ", to describe tube sound. I like it. This review was very enjoyable and entertaining.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

I subscribed just because you are featuring GanFet =) I own the Orchard Audio Premium Mono blocks .. Im excited to see how much further this tech will go ..and cheaper =) AGD are next level too .. I know Jay Lee has them .. I've been there to hear his amps. Wonderful stuff.

[@alvarocoutinho3103]

Thanks for another interesting video. 🤙🏻

[@User_not_found_403]

...I've wanted these for a long time...but they are a luxury. I ended with a lower cost integrated and was happy until I watched your review. thanks alot for giving me FOMO Guido. nice job.

[@anadialog]

🤣

[@virajlokuhelapitiyage9247]

Simply love your creativity man..😂😂

[@daviddavis61]

Bonjour et merci pour cette présentation. C'est l'exemple typique de composants électroniques (classe D) peu coûteux placés dans une belle boîte assez luxueuse. Pour apporter de la "chaleur" ( effet psycho-accoustique), les composants sont mis dans une "lampe" avec une couleur chaude. Je ne dis pas que cela n'est pas bon, mais il faudrait le comparer (comme vous l'avez fait avec des DACS/ CD) avec un ampli numérique chinois bon marché (également en classe D) en effectuant des mesures et une écoute en double aveugle.

[@anadialog]

Thanks for the input. Well, normal GaNFETs may be cheap but we must remember that these are special, there is r&d and further engineering behind, a high-quality and transparent power supply that lets the amplifier part express its full potential. I have listened to other cheap Chinese Class D amps and clearly we are at another league. I haven't heard other GaNFET amps but if a $100 amps beats these and all the other ones I think the news would be out there everywhere!

[@regisvoiclair]

Thanks! Did you hear the AGD Duet and how is the sound compared to AGD Audion MK3 ?

[@neilvillanueva6449]

Looks great!

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

The apple part made me laugh out loud!

[@anadialog]

;-)

[@fedrichorlandineumann3062]

Veramente interessante Guido ,peccato per il prezzo al Milano hifi una bella impressione da technics class d e da un'altro italiano che dovresti provare ,esoteric pro audio.....spettacolo ! Un saluto

[@Fane182005]

Nice job! What preamplifier did you use? The Shindo, the Spectra or I see there t+A! I would love a detailed system rundown

[@anadialog]

You always do! ;-) Ok, I used my Mastersound Spettro Phl7 (the one that blew them) but also the T+A directly and my newly acquired Garber fi preamp. Phono preamp by Luxman (digital Ayon + T+A D200) and my Altec 19 now with upgrade speakers soon to be presentes on the channel as well as my "new" turntable.

[@Fane182005]

@@anadialog i saw jay got great results with the Aric Audio Motherlode XL and the ANk L5 mentor…any of those run by your radar?

[@MarkoVlasicAudio]

can you do comparison with cheap Fosi Audio ZA3 mono blocks?

[@anadialog]

Taking notes!

[@masterazlan6999]

Old skol D stuff...I knew bout it 3yrs back...Peace!

[@net_news]

Hey Guido, is there a way to buy a pair of these ones here in Europe instead of importing them from the US (avoiding customs, shipping and all that stuff)?

[@anadialog]

I think there is. Write me at [e-mail] and I will put you in contact

[@wallyallgood]

when turning your system ON, do you recommend turning the amp off first then the phone stage? what about when turning them OFF?

[@anadialog]

Its better to turn everything off in reverse. Think of the signal in reverse sense from your speakers. This is ALWAYS a good idea actually, not only when you have sensitive amps or fussy preamps, including phono preamps and the alike.

[@sawwas4677]

there is no way these things should cost that much

[@cudfoo1cudfoo247]

Turning off a preamp blows up an Amp. That's unheard of and completely insane!

[@anadialog]

If you have a jumpy tube vintage preamp its not so uncommon unfortunately. Moreover, this surge can also blow your speakers so be careful. Accuphase has extra protection in this sense as many others BUT that takes away from the final result. I fully support the decision to put no filters in the input stage. I am actually for the philosophy that we should all reduce the incredibly complex circuits that we find in today's hifi electronics. I am more and more convinced that well-designed simplicity is the best in terms of engagement and sonic pleasure!

[@donalddietz4755]

Nope. Common practice to turn amp off first

[@cudfoo1cudfoo247]

@@donalddietz4755 No not really. Many, including myself have SS power amps, and we never turn them off. If you're using unstable, poorly designed or "vintage" preamps (as mentioned above) then I suppose you have to be conscience of that. Most of the Amps I've owned don't have protection circuitry. The one's that have have never been triggered by me turning off my Preamp.

[@cudfoo1cudfoo247]

@@anadialog I get it. I try my best to stay away from "jumpy" equipment at all costs...

[@middleearthltd]

Same principle is powering up a SE amplifier with no load Bad idea

[@vladimirdorta6692]

No excuses for blowing an amp.

[@anadialog]

Once again, if a tube preamp isn't perfectly working (I got it used and it always made noise during shutdown) it can happen. Usually amps have various protections. I do think that putting zero filters is brave and keeps the sound pure and natural.

[@DavidDatura]

You live near Florence, so in Tuscany…you lucky so & so 😁

[@anadialog]

So fiorentinoooo!!!!

[@_944audiophile]

Haha, i was drawn into your “credible” discussion until you mentioned the Sony as your reference. Dude! Sony? FWIW, I replaced my 90lb ea BHK 300 Mono Amps with an “all-in-one” Aurender AP20 with the Purifi Eigantakt Integrated mono amps under the cover is the best I’ve heard in my room (includes VAC, Bel Canto, Wavac, Karan Acoustics, etc). Class D has evolved since my BelCanto Ref 1000 & Spectron Musician II amp(s). Bruno Putseys Purifi magic now competes very nicely with the “big boys”. Lighter in weight and only warm to touch, if you did a blind test between SS/Tube/Purifi Eigantakt you might discover the Purifi is cleaner and more dynamic than the others. Genius!

[@anadialog]

You’re embarrassing yourself. Trust me, you don’t know what you are talking about ;-) This is the marvel, hybrid V-FET technology: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4HEiadmnLplsMUsi=Md6h0OxCzPBT2UdZ They are almost impossible to replicate and Nelson Pass is trying to emulate them with his First Watt company.

[@kenmontague8603]

Nice hint LOL.😂

[@anadialog]

😉

[@dougg1075]

Your what by Sony?

[@anadialog]

Right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4HEiadmnLplsMUsi=Rzd6pjr9B4FQw3j6

[@dougg1075]

@@anadialog yeah, I found that after my post. Interesting

[@goodsound4756]

I am a bit confused: it's the best amp you've had in your system (but it's not even top-of-the-line from AGD), but it's not as good as a tube amp. As an integrated tube amp or a combo like to pre-tube but transistor power amp? And obviously you were not bothered with the power switch at the back, which means you have to position this amp carefully in your rack so that you reach the switch easily.

[@anadialog]

Don’t worry I am here to help: As Alberto explained me the technology is very similar among the various products the differences are mainly in the power output. Higher models have higher output. I said the best after my reference and I did not say not as good as any tube amp but a specific model, my Sanei 2A3 with Takatsuki tubes and Tango Hirata transformers, among the best if not the best transformers out there. Integrated? No, separates. I made videos on all these elements. Pay attention and don’t generalize if genuinely interested. The Sanei combo is something that most tube amps out there, even extreme high-end models don’t even come close. As Alberto said, with GaNFET tech you can keep them on so no need to switch them on and off unless you are going away for a while. So even that problem is inconsistent.

[@goodsound4756]

@@anadialog Thanks Guido for clarifying. And 👍🏼 to your 🍏 reference, it made me almost spill my coffee by laughing.

[@sawwas4677]

Man AGD aren't cheap to buy

[@vincevonbarde]

Bonjour et bravo pour votre chaine youtube qui est très bien présentée. Si j'ai bien compris, ce n'est pas un ampli à tubes monobloc mais un ampli de puissance classe D avec un circuit imprimé avec des transistors Mosfet (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) inséré dans un tube illuminé pour nous faire penser qu'il s'agit d'un ampli à tubes/valves classe A au prix de 8000 euros ? Marantz, Technics, Teac produisent aussi des amplis Ncore pour moitié prix....... Est on sur la même croyance du son "divin" qu'apporte un câble audio au béryllium à 8000 euro ? Un test d'écoute d'ampli classe D à l'aveugle s'impose.......Bon courage !

[@neilvillanueva6449]

Haha, banana company? 😂

[@terriludolf6101]

burning amp at home

[@michaelbooth6007]

Buy one get one free?

[@javierazagrahernandez2598]

Gallium Nitride MOSFETs are known to sound better than the horizontal ones since some years ago.European Infineon chips are using them. Conclusion: a lot of american chauvinism and blablabla.

[@anadialog]

No American here actually (but a lot of prejudice)…I’m Italian and so is Alberto Guerra ;-)

[@Maria-EstherEsparza]

The output surge behavior of your preamp is ridiculous. I guess it's DC coupled output and/or OTL? IMHO, absolutely ditch that preamp. Absolutely no excuse for DC surges existing on the output of any preamplifier --full stop. Bad engineering. BTW: I have been designing and building vacuum tube amplification equipment for around 30 years.

[@anadialog]

Not necessarily bad engineering, maybe something happened. I got it used and it always had this problem but never gave me any problems apart from some crackeling.

[@RobertKohut]

A fool and his money are soon parted.... LOL

[@Albert-nj9xm]

...and the king of fools has spoken!