2. amps-preamps
  3. 154622-79898

Why No Love For Peachtree Audio?

I am running a Peachtree Audio Grand Integrated X-1 (Class D 440W at 8 ohms) amp through Joseph Audio Profile floorstanding speakers.  I realize that this is not "high end" but it sounds pretty darn good and the connectivity of this amp can't be beat.  It has inputs for usb, toslink optical, coax digital and rca plugs. There is a home theater by-pass (though I only run it as a two-channel set up) and other common goodies. The DAC, while maybe not state of the art, is as good as many others touted on this forum.  I use this set up in the living room as our all-around stereo for music and tv (not a dedicated listening room) and it suits that purpose quite well. The original MAP at over $4k was optimistic, but a good used one can be picked up for well under $2k. At that price it is a bargain.

Why are there no good words for Peachtree Audio products on this forum.  It almost seems like that brand is held in disdain here.  What's up with that?
larstusor
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,437 posts
 
I owned a Peachtree Nova 300. It was a lovely amp. 
I wish other makers would pay attention to the case and layout of Peachtree. Just beautiful and it’s a piece of design for the living room. High WAF. 
The DACs and phono stages in them are great for the money. The overall sound, to me, was good but a bit thin and distortion free-I don’t typically love class D that measures distortion free.   In the end I needed more body to the music.  I also had an NAD M22 which sounded similar to the Tree. Very clean and detailed yet thin. I like a bit of meat with air on top-even if it had more distortion. 
larstusor OP
59 posts
 
I had to have the manufacturer replace the volume control which has since worked flawlessly.  I don't notice any thinness and certainly no brittleness in my system. Perhaps it's the JA Profile speakers beefing up and smoothing out the sound.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I am big fan of JA speakers and I suspect they certainly improve your sound but in the end I've found Class D just doesn't work for me - at least not in most cases.  I've since moved on to Class A amps (both tube and SS) and love their qualities for my listening tastes. We all have different tastes. 
bubba12's avatar
bubba12
440 posts
 
I have a Nova 300 and think it’s an absolute steal for the money. It’s a very solid brand.
rickallen81
65 posts
 
I’d have to agree with the thin, dry, and brittle sound descriptions. While it had a great wide soundstage, my Decco was seemingly built without much regard for the mid range sound as it was rare to find recordings that made the best of what the Peachtree could do. 
After a few months I got a vintage amp that, though more noisy, it simply trounced the Peachtree in making full bodied sound through the entire range. 
I do love the looks and the form factor. Just wish they could make it sound as good as it looks. 
More to discover