Mytek has launched a new power amplifier, the Mytek STEREO GanFET, which features output stages that operate in class D and utilize cutting-edge GanFET transistors. The manufacturer states, “GanFET power amplifiers are the latest trend in the Hi-Fi industry, and for valid reasons: this technology is poised to transform the audiophile equipment market. It is a class D circuit that delivers the sound quality of class A.”
Class D amplification has undeniably transformed the professional audio landscape over the past decade. Today, nearly all concert speakers and studio active monitors are equipped with Class D amplifiers due to their cost-effectiveness, simplicity, lightweight design, 85% efficiency, and satisfactory sound quality for general audio applications. However, traditional MOSFET Class D amplifiers, characterized by their pronounced treble, flat soundstage, and limited sound quality, often fall short for audiophiles seeking authentic analog musicality. This level of quality demands that even the most subtle sonic details are accurately reproduced without interference from digital artifacts. The introduction of GanFET transistors a few years ago has been a game changer; they not only preserve the cost and convenience benefits of Class D but also enhance sound quality, sometimes surpassing that of the widely used Class A/B amplifiers.
Mytek stands out as one of the select high-end audio manufacturers producing GanFET amplifiers. With over three years of experience in this technology, Mytek asserts that its GanFET amplifiers can replicate the warmth of tube amplifiers while delivering precise solid-state bass. This combination offers a unique audio experience that is unattainable with traditional Class A/B amplifiers. While this assertion is ambitious and necessitates firsthand experience for validation, the good news is that these amplifiers are now widely available due to mass production.
Key features of GanFET amplifiers:
- can have silky highs and upper mids like a tube amp
- have a tightly controlled bass response
- the amplifier’s transfer characteristic is a straight line that does not require feedback correction (unlike class A/B)
- have an efficiency of up to 95% (5 W of heat per 100 W of sound – no radiators required)
- can work with minimal feedback and WITHOUT feedback
- can work with digital input
Mytek is confident that GanFET amplifiers will emerge as the leading technology for audiophile amplifiers over the next ten years, due to their numerous benefits and minimal drawbacks. The Mytek STEREO GanFET 2-channel power amplifier, capable of producing up to 400 watts per channel, is currently available for $9,995.