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Peachtree GaN 1 Beta

Before I start my post here is my current system for reference:

Auarlic Aries G1 --> Denafrips Terminator or SW1X DAC --> Audio GD HE1 XLR preamp or Sachs preamp --> various tube amps --> Cube Nenuphar Mini's w/ a pair of REL S510 subs. Cables and power conditioning commensurate with the rest of the system.

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As warmer months approach I have been looking for a cool running amp to replace my Line Magnetic LM-518 and other tube amps for a few months as they run pretty hot.

I've been interested in the GaN FET amps and just purchased a used LSA Voyager 350 Gan FET amp which I should receive in a few days. I've tried class D amps before and while they checked a lot of boxes I just didn't feel drawn in. However, I like to explore so I figured I'd try the GanFET and since the amp has zero feedback and my speakers seem to prefer amps with little or no feedback I figured it be worth checking out.

Today, Peachtree Audio sent out an email inviting users to a beta of their new Gan 1 amp. Here are some excerpts from their email:

 

What is the GaN 1?

In basic terms it is a 200 Watts-Per-Channel (WPC) Power Amplifier designed to be the sole interface between your digital audio device with a variable output, like a Bluesound NODE, and your speakers. The GaN 1 is a simple, pure and cost-effective audio solution: connect the GaN 1 to a streamer and a pair of speakers and you have an amazing Hi-Fi system. That's it...no DAC, no preamp and no input switching. The signal path from the music to your speakers is remarkably short and free of artifacts. Want to hear the intricate details in your music that have always been there, but you couldn't quite make them all out before? Then the GaN 1 is for you!

What makes the GaN 1 so special?

First and foremost is the GaN-FET amplifier module. It has several inherent advantages in a power amplifier that even the best MOS-FET designs simply cannot achieve. A GaN-FET power stage provides a precise high-power reproduction of the Class-D PWM signal with extremely high linearity. This linearity eliminates the need for ANY feedback, ultimately allowing for the best possible audio quality providing clean, clear middle and high frequencies and a tight, solid reproduction of low frequencies. GaN-FETs track the complex audio waveforms MUCH more accurately than MOS-FETs, resulting in significantly more transparent and natural sound. The difference is something even a casual listener can hear and appreciate. The GaN 1 is also designed so that it does NOT require a digital-to-analog-converter (DAC). The digital audio signal at the input directs the amplifier outputs to drive the speakers. Although DACs have continued to improve over the years, there is no DAC better than NO DAC! This concept is not new as similar devices known as "Power DACs" made quite a splash in our industry years ago. But this time around, by executing the concept with GaN-FETs, the bar is raised to an entirely new level.

Key Features at a Glance:
▪ 200 WPC state-of-the-art GaN-FET module
▪ ZERO feedback design
▪ Regulated 450-Watt power supply
▪ Coaxial S/PDIF input with native support up to 24-bit / 192kHz
▪ DAC-less design
▪ Power on/off trigger port
▪ All aluminum chassis
▪ No cooling fans

 

This sounded really interesting to me and since I have a good streamer I signed up for the amp beta only. One aspect that intrigues me is to create an extremely minimal signal path. My speakers are single driver, crossover-less design. Employing the GaN 1 will mean the system will be Auralic Aries --> GaN 1 --> Cube Nenuphar Mini's. Will that lead to a more engaging sound vs the full system? Will the Voyager GaN 350 outperform a tube amp in the full system? Who knows, should be fun to find out....

Now, I have no idea how either of these GaN FET amps will work with my speakers. The Cube Nenuphars seem to prefer amps with low damping and no negative feedback, which is more common with SET tube amps and Class A solid state amps. I'm not sure of the damping factor of the GaN FET amps, but both are Zero feedback designs, and both have way more wattage than I need. For reference, I have a 1.5 wpc 45 tube amp that sounds amazing with the Cubes, so high wattage is not required. I am interested though in what these amps will sound like compared to my tube amps, and I am particularly interested in what the streamer direct to amp Peachtree will sound like.

I am also looking to acquire a First Watt SIT-3, which is a great match with the Cubes, but now that they are no longer produced prices have gone above my current comfort level. If I can get one I will throw it into the experiment.

The Peachtree won't be shipped until sometime in June, or possibly later. In the meantime I will get the LSA Voyager in the next few days. I might even be able to get it hooked up this weekend so stay tuned, should be an interesting experiment...
abd1
donnylovely
105 posts
 

I didn't really understand what he's saying either. I'm betting his hifi rose sounds much better than the node, it does more than just pass a signal. I got some big improvements with ethernet switches and adding a lps to my node. I look forward to hearing about any mods you do. I'm looking at adding purple fuses right now. 

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

You want more? How about making your own speaker and bi-amping with two of these amps. You get a miniDSP Flex (digital out version) $500 and you use this as your digital xover after your streamer......it has two digital coax outs so you can use one amp for each channel. You set the xover wherever you like and at whatever frequency you want (all done at 32 bit/96K). You make an open baffle, partially open baffle, or box speaker using super pure woofer and tweeter......I would use a 10 inch cone woofer (or maybe two Purify 7 inch woofers in parallel) and cross it/them over to a super AMT or Beryllium tweeter in a wave guide around 1.3 K. You hardwire your speaker wires directly inside the amp and directly to the voice coil wires on the woofer and to the tabs on the tweeter......This will kill most $100K systems.....no doubt. Of course, you can get another digital xover and more amps and do 3 and 4 way speakers, as well. You can equalize for flat at your listening position...time align, etc. all in the digital domain.....again...no DACS, no preamps, no normal amps, no analog interconnects and no transparency robbing and dynamics robbing passive xover parts......OMG.....mind blowing possibilities.

What is so cool is that anyone (above the age of 10 with normal IQ) can do this. You do not need to know most of the parmeters of the drivers and how to design a perfect passive xover. You just play in the software and then measure using a measurement mic and your ears. Of course, the Q of the drivers and the size of the box (if using one) has to be taken into consideration for bass loading. Pretty simple really.

chrisf817
3 posts
 

I received my GaN1 + Node 2 weeks ago and have been listening to it everyday for a few hours.  While waiting (& waiting) for the combo to arrive, I went ahead and ordered the Teddy Pardo lps for the node and had it waiting (& waiting) for when the rest arrived.  Didn’t even bother testing the node without the lps lol.  
I'm replacing a Rega Elex R + NAD C658 combo and have Triangle Borea BR08’s with a REL t9/x using speakon.  I’ll mention that I’d like be keeping the C658 if it had digital coax out.  
The elex-r/c658 was a funky combo due to the rega being an ia and the nad being a preamp.  Needless to say, it loved them with the BR08’s.  The BR08’s (I’ve read) can be a touch bright if not paired carefully and the Rega was a great amp for them.  Very natural and polite.  Convincing soundstage and nice dynamics across the fr.  Not the last word in detail, but a very nice setup (especially for the deals I found on the nad and triangles).  My biggest complaint was that everything didn’t really “wake up” until around 25% volume, which is too loud for evening listening.  The speakers are 92db sensitive, so the 72w of rega class a/b should have been plenty for quiet sessions.  Just left me wanting more though.  
Figured I could do with some more headroom right around the time PT announced the beta.  200wpc, DAC-less, zero feedback, cutting edge design used in much more expensive amps?  Sign me up.  
2 weeks in and I couldn’t be happier.  I was worried the GaN would come off bright on the BR08’s, but it isn’t an issue at all.  Not a hint of harshness to be found.  I’ve got some tinnitus, so I can be touchy with some hf and can get fatigued pretty quick in the wrong conditions.  Extended sessions with the GaN have been nothing but pleasant.  I haven’t done a quick-swap a/b test with the rega+nad combo, but I had the rega for around 5 yrs and the nad with it for the last 1.5yrs, so I’m pretty familiar with what I was used to hearing.  Comparing it to the GaN1, I can’t find a single parameter where I preferred the rega+nad.  Soundstage?  It was good before, but now it’s great!  The separation between instruments, the air/space around instruments/effects is profoundly better.  Previous setup had good depth, but the PT is deeper while also being more forward and throwing sounds behind/around my listening position.  My music lounge is untreated aside from carpet and soft furniture (room treatments are next up), so I know this will only get more precise once the room is dialed in better.  The triangle’s cellulose paper midrange driver already was very natural and a true highlight of the speaker, but paired with the GaN1, vocals (m & f) have more texture and presence.  Percussion sounds like it’s in the room with you.  If I were a drummer, I could prob tell what make/model drums, heads and cymbals are being played by how real they sound.  Strings sound superb, all of it.  I’ve thrown the kitchen sink at this amp and it hits a home run with everything.  
I understand the node is the weakest link and I’ve been thinking about adding the ifi ipurifier 2.  What’s kept me from pulling the trigger is the male coax output on the ifi.  Do I just plug it straight into the amp and have all the stress from its weight and cables be supported by a single rca?  I feel like that could cause some issues down the line?  I’m running a kimber ascent series coax and it’s very stiff and I feel like it would be unforgiving.  Does anyone have experience with using a node as a transport with the lps upgrade and a ipurifier2?  Does this push the node into proper streamer (lumin) territory?  
Anyways, I’m completely sold on the GaN1 and very much look forward to upgrading my triangles at some point.  I’d love to hear some Q Acoustic Concept 700’s on this amp.  I’d also love to hear this amp with a few of the previously mentioned internal upgrades and would be curious to know the cost of having work like that done?  I swapped out the ps on the node, but that was super-simple/low-risk.  
Looking forward to hearing more feedback once these amps get out in the wild more and others begin to see the light!

 

mbolek
167 posts
 

On one had you rave about the sound.....and then with the other hand you say its best use is using it with cheap streamers in a secondary system......HUH? How can you be raving about the sound in your main system and say this?

My statement should have been that most people would not spend the money on the 150 and just use the digital out to the GaN1.  Agree using the best possible streamer will enhance the GaN1 performance.

Ric - I love your idea with using the Flex and may have to look at using (2) GaN1s for an active system with my Camerton's and Purifi woofers.   Interesting....

mbolek
167 posts
 

Here is a link to a review of a bunch of digital cables (all with bnc connectors). The same difference would still be there if using rca connectors. This will give you an idea of the differences EVERYTHING makes. We have only just begun!

Curious that you don't feel that BNC connectors/connections make a difference.  Aren't they supposed to be superior to RCA since they are truly 75ohm terminations.

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