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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
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

The GaN 1 only has coax input. So if you have a source that has usb only then you need a digital to digital converter to change it to coax. Your source would need volume control. You can use the volume control in a lot of programs like Roon, etc. Most computers do not have a coax out....so if using a computer or Ipad then you need a DtoD converter to get it to coax to drive the Gan1.  The Hifi Rose streamer has usb input and coax output (volume controlled)....but then why would you want a computer if you are using this streamer?

The GaN1 is the DAC.....it changes PCM directly to PWM (class D analog switching). A normal DAC is not needed. Less is more. Basically, a digital amp is a power DAC.....a DAC that can drive your speakers. A regular DAC changes PCM to a low level analog signal but then it needs to be amped up by an amp to drive the speaker.

Most A2D’s do not have a digital volume control. You would still need to run the converter into a streamer that has volume control.

thespeakerdude
483 posts
 

@ricevs have you delivered the modified unit back to the customer? You keep describing the GAN1 as Class D analog switching. I do not think that is correct. Class D and PWM are not the same.

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

Dude,

You are wrong.  Class D almost always uses PWM.   Please read this article and get informed:

 

Doing one more mod to the amp here and then will return it to the owner.  All info will be on my website by the end of the week.  

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,311 posts
 

 

What are some of the more popular combos possible with that amp and it’s digital coax input  I wonder?

thespeakerdude
483 posts
 

@ricevs , it would probably be best not to post links to technical articles you do not fully understand. I was trying to be nice before and give you a way out. Class-D and PWM are not the same thing. A Class-D amplifier may use PWM. However, that is not what you said, you said this,

"The GaN1 is the DAC.....it changes PCM directly to PWM (class D analog switching)".

Class-D may use PWM, but PWM is not Class-D. Put in simpler terms, an Orange is a fruit, but not all fruits are Oranges.

Class-D is an amplifier architecture. Peachtree may call it Digital Class-D, but that is marketing. There is no such thing as "Digital Class-D". You are more accurate to call it a power DAC as you did because that is what it is. They call it an amplifier but it does not amplify anything hence why it cannot be a "Class-D" amplifier.

Did you measure the switching frequency on your oscilloscope? I was curious as to what it was.

 

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