2. amps-preamps
  3. 176422-76351

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
yyzsantabarbara
4,797 posts
 

On a whim I managed to buy the Magnepan LRS+ from a dealer 2 weeks ago. I have them in my office system. It previously used the KEF LS50 Meta in this system. I still have the LS50 but the LRS+ is on stage now.

I even repurchased the KEF KC62 sub to use with the LRS+ (and LS50 Meta). Unfortunately, I do not know how to use the sub with the GAN1. I had to send my Benchmark LA4 preamp for repairs because it was not working with the KC62 sub. Benchmark thinks the preamp is fine. So, I have to figure out what the issue could be once the LA4 returns.

In the meantime, I wanted to hear the LRS+ so I put the GAN1 on it. The LRS+ has about 50 hours on it now and I can tell a bit of the hardness on top has now gone away. I believe the LRS+ needs some power to shine, Today, I am hearing amazing sound from the LRS+ and the modded GAN1. The GAN1 certainly has enough power for the LRS+. The sound is larger than the LS50 Meta and a bit clearer. A sub will definitely make this speaker shine even more. My room is small at 12 x 11 x 9 (plus extra closet space).

This sound is so impressive that I am going to use the GAN1 with my bucket list speaker that I bought last week. I was planning on buying a KEF Blade 2 Meta. However, a kids birthday party that I am hosting this Saturday made me realize it was crazy to have the Blade around kids. I went with plan B and got the Yamaha NS5000 speaker.

This speaker is a lot easier to drive than the Blades. I will be using the GAN1 on this Yamaha for a while. I am $$ broke now, so no plans to get anything else. My concern with the GAN1 is useability for the family since it is controlled by software. No simple physical volume control to adjust volume. Anyways, I will see if this is a real problem. The sound is really not an issue for me with the modded GAN1.

I had to sell my Lumin X1 to buy the Yamaha, the Lumin was my GAN1 streamer. I am now using the Sonore OpticalRendu to stream into the GAN1 and control everything via ROON.

The office system will be:

CODA #16 | Benchmark DAC3B | Benchmark LA4 (or Holo Serene) preamp | Magnepan LRS+ (and KEF LS50 Meta)| KEF KC62 sub | WyWire Platinum speaker cable | Playback Designs Stream-IF ROON READY streamer.

The Livingroom system will be:

PeachTree GAN1 | Yamaha NS5000 speaker | WyWire Diamond speaker | Sonore Optical Rendu ROON READY streamer.

I am hedging my bets with the GAN1 since I have 2 preamps, the LA4 and Serene. I likely will get another amp and put a preamp and amp with the Yamaha. If that happens then the GAN1 will go towards headphone duty. If I find that I do not need to ’upgrade’ the GAN1 then I will sell one of the 2 preamps.

 

dolfan
109 posts
 

I wonder how the Maggie DWM Bass Panels would work?

lee_short
20 posts
 

Anybody using the GAN1 with subwoofers?  I was hoping to go that route with my Lumin U1 Mini, but the Lumin only has digitals outs, so I'd need to add a DAC between the Lumin and my subwoofers. 

It looks like the Node has a mono subwoofer out, and some folks are using this.

Wondering what others have done with the GAN1 and subwoofers.

 

dolfan
109 posts
 

A lot of subs have speaker level inputs too. My Rythmik F15HP has those and line level inputs. I am using the line level outputs from the Node to the sub and the digital to the Gan 1.

mr_bill
347 posts
 

Any updates here?

I see that VTV 300 is similar to Peachtree Gan 1 - how do they compare?
Also Purifi and Hypex have newer modules - wondering how those sound?

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