Gilmore Audio Raptors 500watt monoblocks linear power supply

Price when new was original list when I bought my pair. Unfortunately never became well known. But those that have seriously listened to these have been as a whole quite amazed at their organic musicality and resolution across the whole frequency spectrum. Other than the smallest lack of bloom of the best tube amps, they have the air and better extension on the top and bottom. Quite the deal at full original list, they can't be touched @ my asking. Original excellent boxes.$100 flat rate shipping to 48 states (2 X about 40lbs.). Would prefer to be "friended" payment via Paypal outside Audiogon to [email protected] to avoid the additional 3% as I've already paid their fee. Note my feedback and deal with confidence. 831-375-7061 Rated 8/10 due to age.
Specifications

Class D Monoblock power amplifiers
Output Power: RMS power 250 watts @ 8 ohms, 500 watts @ 4ohms
Frequency Response: -3db @ 60 kHz, 8ohms -3db @ 4Hz, 8 ohms +/- 0.3 db, 20 - 20 kHz
Output Impedance: 50 mil-ohms @1kHz
Output Stage Efficiency: 93% or greater up to full rated power
Gain: 27 db in high gain position nominal 20 db in low gain position nominal
Harmonic Distortion: THD +N Less than .1% up to full rated power, 4 and 8 ohms.
Measurements: 12” X 12” x 4”
Weight: 37 lbs each
Price: MSRP $5,000 per pair, 3 year non transferable limited warranty on parts and labor

"Earlier I said that these amps were class D with a twist. While these amps contain proprietary class D circuitry, it is coupled to an analogue (non-switching) power supply employing a huge and expensive toroidal transformer; hence the 37 pound weight. The circuitry utilizes a highly modified, very high sampling rate ICE digital engine. This is not the same off-the -shelf, engine that is typically used in many other amplifiers. Rather, it is highly modified and unique to the Raptors. The proprietary circuitry, analogue power supply, digital filtering and chassis design all combine to reduce the RFI that would normally be created by these amps to ravishingly low levels. In this regard, these amps can be considered hybrids. This is a solid approach when dealing with high amounts of RFI that class D amps produce. The high rates of RFI created by the switching power supplies of some class D amps, can result in serious sonic consequences if it is picked up by other components and fed back through your system. Finally, according to the manufacturer, the circuit boards are of equally high quality and, are populated with high grade components.

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Conclusion

The reason that this review took so long to write is that these amps compelled the kind of listening that had me revisiting much of my record collection. Because the way these amps performed, far more time was spent listening rather than trying to isolate, describe and write about the usual sonic checklist of audiophile attributes or artifacts. Mark Gilmore has combined a unique class “D” circuit design with a very high quality analogue power supply and, it works exceptionally well in this case. The design focused on only those elements that resulted in an audible improvement; Hence, the lack of fancy graphics and other unnecessary add-ons. The result is a musical presentation that I can best describe as whole cloth analogue as opposed to the spot lighted digital sound that is so common today. I find them highly engaging and they make listening most pleasurable over the long term.Mark Gilmore and Glacier Audio are so confident in their products that they come with a very liberal one month in home auditioning period before making the final purchase. I don't think that you will run into this deal very often. In addition, should you convince a friend to purchase a pair of Raptors, you will receive a $500.00 finder's fee, ($250.00 for a Raven.) Once you spend some time with the Raptors, you will understand why they have the confidence to make these kinds of offers.

The Gilmore Raptor amplifiers may not be as well known as a number of other entries in their class at present; I believe this will soon change. Never the less, considering their excellent build quality and performance, they are being offered at what I judge to be a reasonable price. Keep in mind that the price would be much higher if you had to purchase them through a dealer. If you are in the market for a pair of amps in this price range, do not overlook the Raptor monoblocks. These amps are true winners."