Technics Introduces Reference Class SU-R1000 Integrated Amplifier Leveraging Low-Resistance GaN Devices

Technics unveiled the SU-R1000, its first Reference Class integrated amplifier. As Technics explains, its Reference Class products are developed in pursue of the brand's insatiable desire to deliver ultimate sound quality to customers, and offer the premium musical experience the Technics brand is known for. The SU-R1000 follows design references of the classic hifi components from decades ago. But inside, this is a technical evolution of the brand's 2014 rebirth.

Power and charging technology specialist AUKEY grabbed a lot of attention in January at CES 2020 when it announced its brand-new Omnia USB-C charger series, including the ultra-compact Omnia 100W model, just 32mm thick, offering an ideal combination of power and portability. AUKEY now confirmed that it is accepting orders for the new charger, which uses the latest gallium nitride (GaN) technology.

Infineon Technologies broadened its CoolGaN series with two new devices: the CoolGaN 400 V and the CoolGaN 600 V. Gallium nitride (GaN) offers fundamental advantages over silicon, with outstanding specific dynamic on-state resistance and smaller capacitances compared to silicon MOSFETs. The new CoolGaN 400 V device will appeal to audio product designers looking for a premium solution for home or professional Class D amplifiers.

There is a very interesting new audio project being promoted on Kickstarter. Coming from Orchard Audio, the BOSC is a well engineered hi-fi monoblock audio amplifier that explores the latest gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology to achieve ultra-high performance in a small package. This compact and affordable 150 watt amplifier shows a lot of potential, with an impressive circuit design and high-quality sound, and is available in 3-4Ω (13.8dB gain) or 6-8Ω (16.8dB gain) versions.

More than ever, the act of listening to music is one of life’s simple pleasures. Martin Bell and JAVA Hi-Fi co-founders Shane Inder and Martin Young, set themselves the challenge of creating a range of audio separates that would capture the intangible, soulful essence of music. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2016, JAVA Hi-Fi is making its debut appearance at this year's High End Munich 2019 show and will be demonstrating pre-production samples of two new products: The JAVA V2.0 LDR pre-amplifier and the JAVA Integrated amplifier.

Panasonic Corporation announced that it will start mass production of a high-speed gate driver (AN34092B) optimized for driving its GaN power transistor X-GaN in November 2016. The company will also start mass production of two types of X-GaN (PGA26E07BA and PGA26E19BA) and provide solutions in combination with high-speed gate drivers. The high-speed gate driver for X-GaN power transistors contributes to space and energy savings in power conversion applications.