REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS)

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Model:	Raptor 500D
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2500
Description:	Class D Monoblocks 250w 8ohms, 500w 4ohms
Manufacturer URL:	Gilmore Audio

Review by ahendler on August 08, 2012 at 22:24:03
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for the Raptor 500D

I have been a tube owner all my life (60 years). I had read reviews of the Raptor monoblocks from the late Al Sekela who preferred them full range vs tri amped with OTL amps on mids and tweeter and a big solid state amp on bottom. When Gilmore dropped the price from $5000 to $2500 I decided to give them an audition. The last two tube amps I have been using on my 3.6r's have been ASL Hurricanes and a VTL ST-85. Both of these amps sounded quite wonderful on my maggies. The Raptor is better in all ways. The raptor has incredible resolution from top to bottom. The recreating of hall sound in symphony recordings feels very real. Micro and macro dynamics are handled with a very live feeling to the presentation. I had heard that class D amps do not do high frequencies very well but that is not the case here. Highs are very extended and really clear sounding. Massed strings are recreated with a great sense of power and physical beauty. Female vocals like Eva Cassidy or Jacintha will make you weep. This amp is a keeper and I will be keeping it. On the technical side it is a highly modified B&O Ice powered with modified input, increased pulse frequency and modified output filter. It has a linear power supply with a 65va toroidal transformer and 67000 microfareds of filter capacitance. Each monoblock is housed in 1/2" aircraft aluminum case and weighs 37lbs per monoblock

Product Weakness:	None that I can determine
Product Strengths:	Sounds like real music

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Gilmore Raptor 500D monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Shindo Auriges
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony 5400 and Basis 1400 TT
Speakers: Maggie 3.6r
Cables/Interconnects: Telurium Q Blue/Silnote Morpeous reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical/Film scores/ Female vocals
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Fica trees
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

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Topic - REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - ahendler 22:24:03 08/08/12 (31)

RE: (strong)REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS)(/strong) - tonyjack 22:59:01 08/12/12 (1)

RE: (strong)REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS)(/strong) - tonyjack 07:12:17 08/13/12 (0)

Always great to hear when someone is enjoying the potential of class D. - Vic D 07:39:05 08/10/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - ahendler 11:17:40 08/09/12 (1)

That's a bit better! :-)) (I was worried at such a low VA rating.) nt - andyr 03:50:26 08/10/12 (0)

Working link... - musetap 10:57:22 08/09/12 (1)

RE: Working link... - Jerry P 11:49:41 08/09/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - Emil 10:10:50 08/09/12 (5)

I've had both the Raven and Raptors - Maxamillion 08:02:47 08/10/12 (3)

What are you currently running?...N/T - musetap 16:48:52 08/10/12 (2)

The Raptors - Maxamillion 19:40:09 08/10/12 (1)

Thanks, good to know!...N/T - musetap 20:26:35 08/10/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - ahendler 11:15:00 08/09/12 (0)

I suspect that class D amps get a bad rap from some quarters ... - Feanor 06:46:53 08/09/12 (6)

I have yet to hear an outstanding ICEpower amp.... - AbeCollins 11:12:11 08/09/12 (5)

I demo-ed the Gilmore amp vs the Nuforce - Maxamillion 08:06:30 08/10/12 (2)

RE: I demo-ed the Gilmore amp vs the Nuforce - AbeCollins 10:01:14 08/10/12 (1)

RE: I demo-ed the Gilmore amp vs the Nuforce - strateahed 22:53:58 11/24/12 (0)

Let us know what you think of the Rogue Medusa - Feanor 17:59:38 08/09/12 (1)

Will do - AbeCollins 18:50:43 08/09/12 (0)

Would be interesting to compare to good solid state design. - carcass93 01:54:25 08/09/12 (1)

RE: Would be interesting to compare to good solid state design. - ahendler 07:33:37 08/09/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - Dawnrazor 00:49:25 08/09/12 (2)

Same here... - mkuller 08:35:11 08/09/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - ahendler 07:36:30 08/09/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - ahendler 22:26:16 08/08/12 (5)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - The Bored 10:38:31 08/09/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - Todd Krieger 00:00:35 08/09/12 (3)

I've used them on Zu Druids and Infinity RSIIb - Maxamillion 08:14:31 08/10/12 (0)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - ahendler 07:38:58 08/09/12 (1)

RE: REVIEW: Gilmore Audio Raptor 500D Amplifier (SS) - roscoeiii 04:32:07 08/13/12 (0)

Amplifier:	Gilmore Raptor 500D monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Shindo Auriges
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony 5400 and Basis 1400 TT
Speakers:	Maggie 3.6r
Cables/Interconnects:	Telurium Q Blue/Silnote Morpeous reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical/Film scores/ Female vocals
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Fica trees
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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