https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/ March Audio Discussion Board en-AU Tue, 19 May 2026 18:20:12 +0000 wpForo 60 https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/gan-amplifiers/ Wed, 06 May 2026 00:39:50 +0000 @MikeM

Hi Alan, I am not sure how to start a new post, and equally unsure which thread this question might best be placed.

General question
Your amps are legendary, in my view anyway. For interets sake, are you looking into any GaN based amps or power supplies or other?
Mostly just curious.
I admit, it might be very hard to beat the current modules.

Thank you.

Hi @MikeM

There has been a lot of "noise" regarding GaN Amplifiers over the past few years, that they will offer some kind of leap in amplifier performance and sound quality, but the simple answer is that this just isn't true.

Yes they might in theory be able to offer some small improvements in efficiency and raise switching frequency, but there is a lot more to a class d amplification than that.

The fact is that there isn't a GaN based amp on the market that beats or even comes close to matching the technical performance and therefire sound quality of the Purifi mosfet modules that we use.

Gan is more expensive, so there has to be a compelling reason to use it. So far there isn't. Purifi may of course in the future implement GaN technology, but it would have to be a genuine worthwhile improvement over their current designs.

Bottom line, don't believe the hype. Just compare the performance of a GaN amp verses a Purifi module.]]> Technical Alan March https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/gan-amplifiers/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/pin-config-for-p282-xlr-needed/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:17:49 +0000
I've got the DIN wiring diagram for the Naim end covered and I was hoping to get your help with the March end.

Btw, has anyone built such a cable?

Cheers, Joey]]> Technical Ompong79 https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/pin-config-for-p282-xlr-needed/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/rca-m-to-xlr-m-adapter-cables-the-xlr-pin-1-problem/ Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:34:11 +0000 @Alan March Hey Alan, I was reading an amplifier review on futureaudiophile.com & someone had mentioned in the comments the following about an apparent "XLR Pin 1" problem with RCA-M to XLR-M adapter cables, I gather there isn't a reason to be concerned about this as long as it's wired correctly as per Bruno Putzeys' recommendation?

"The so called “pin 1 problem.”
Most RCA to XLR adapters and pre-made cables will short pins 1 and 3, instead of utilizing a parallel RC network (e.g., 0.1uF, 100Ω) in series between the RCA collar and XLR pin 3 to help maintain the balanced input common mode current and impedance.
Another option with an RCA (upstream) to XLR (downstream) balanced cable would be to connect the shield and inverted leg (-) to the RCA collar then wire accordingly:
• RCA center pin wire (+) to XLR pin 2 (+)
• RCA collar inverted wire (-) to XLR pin 3 (-)
• RCA collar shield connection “telescopes” to the XLR but does not connect.
If there is hum, then insert the RC network.
The above opens up what could be a lengthy discussion about “true” balanced circuits via differential inputs, symmetrical topologies, and floating inputs.
If the amp has balanced inputs, then balanced connections throughout the system will produce a better outcome."]]> Technical bobbyjziino https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/rca-m-to-xlr-m-adapter-cables-the-xlr-pin-1-problem/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/opa1632-vs-opa1612-comparison/ Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:36:54 +0000 @Alan March Hey Alan, I was just curious why you had made the transition from the OPA1632 with its fully differential architecture & higher Slew Rate 72V/µs, higher Gain Bandwidth of 180 MHz from your earlier Purifi builds to the OPA1612 with its single-ended architecture & lower Slew Rate 27V/µs, lower Gain Bandwidth of 40 MHz?

Did you find that over the years of improving your input buffer design, the OPA1612 was simply easier to implement overall along with the added benefits of slightly lower noise & distortion?

283]]> Technical bobbyjziino https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/opa1632-vs-opa1612-comparison/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/broken-power-button/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:02:55 +0000
The red back light turns on and off when you press it but the amp stays permanently on. It's not the end of the world and I can't really be bothered to ship it half way around the world for a warranty repair, but I'd be interested to know if anyone else experienced this and whether there was an easy fix ?

For example, is the switch a common COTS part that I can replace myself?

Cheers

Libs]]> Technical william bray https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/broken-power-button/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/trigger-input/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 07:36:04 +0000
Can you confirm if the trigger input is 2 or 3 way connector?
Thanks]]> Technical james dyson https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/trigger-input/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/internal-jumper-for-changing-gain/ Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:37:26 +0000 Technical Howard Jones https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/internal-jumper-for-changing-gain/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/ideal-tilt/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 23:49:22 +0000
Thanks for the permissions. I recall reading somewhere that you had done some testing on the ideal estimated in-room response tilt (downward). Is this true? What did you find? Based on Erin's measurements, we definitely see a variety of "tilts". I wonder if this can be expressed in -dB/octave. Naturally, not all speaker mfg are aiming for a linear EIRR. Any thoughts appreciated.]]> Technical Stereo Skunk https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/ideal-tilt/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/ftc-tests/ Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:56:13 +0000 Are you aware of this thread on ASR regarding FTC amplifier power testing? Your P282 has been mentioned.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/power-amplifier-tests-with-respect-to-ftc-16-cfr-part-432-july-5-2024-requirements-on-output-power-claims.58972/post-2162970

What's your view on the FTC testing?]]> Technical james dyson https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/ftc-tests/ https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/grills-the-benefits-of-a-well-engineered-speaker/ Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:14:06 +0000 1) I only have one LP (8 ft equilateral triangle). I used the MMM measurement style (I don't understand waterfalls!).
2) The measurement were taken without any room EQ and without a Sub.
3) I think the graph shows the benefits of a well engineered speaker. I only need to EQ the room (<600Hz), the speaker itself needs no EQ.
Comments?
128]]> Technical Cincyret https://marchaudio.com/community/technical-35/grills-the-benefits-of-a-well-engineered-speaker/