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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
big_greg
6,640 posts
 
Some of the comments about being shrill, bright, and lean in the bass are a little surprising.  I though the Grand X-1 leaned a little on the bright side, but I wouldn't have called it shrill or offensive.  The Peachtree Nova 300 was actually a little "flat" sounding (rolled off on top) to my ears, until I paired it with my Focal Electra 1008 BE speakers. 

I'm listening to Christian McBride's new album on Qobuz and it sounds full bodied, McBride's bass is strong and tight, the trumpets and vocals aren't edgy... in short, it sounds really good.  I use a subwoofer with this system, but I turned it off and the bass sounds good without it. 

I wonder if the older models were voiced differently or if they are really sensitive to speaker pairing?  I liked the Nova 300 with other speakers, but it was just a little "blah".  Sound quality and wow factor are not in the same league as my main system, but for what this system cost, it delivers a lot of value. 

Other integrateds I own are a Vincent 237 and an ARC VSi55, both of which I think sound better than the Peachtree, but not dramatically better.  What's nice about the Peachtree is that if you really want to go minimalist, it has a really good DAC and phono stage, both of which are extra components I have to add to the Vincent and ARC.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@big_greg  The Grand X-1 uses 12AU7s as a tube buffer correct? I suspect that may smooth out the edge and provide a more rounded pleasing sound compared to the Nova.  
big_greg
6,640 posts
 
I didn't use the tube buffer when I had the Grand X-1 and the Nova 300 did away with the tube buffer. 
geof3
1,129 posts
 
Had a 300. Nice little unit. Great looks for sure, one of the best actually. Black boxes just get old. Speakers are everything with these. They made my desktop B&Ws sound very nice. They are pulling new duty, and the Peachtree has been sold. Kinda wish I had kept it though!
larstusor OP
59 posts
 
I don't use the tube buffer in my X-1 as it makes little, if any, difference in sound except on really bad source material.  I hear no shrillness nor thin sound coming out of my JA speakers. The tone is full, smooth and has plenty of clean bass. The top end may be slightly rolled off; it is crisp but does not sizzle. The detail and sound stage are very pleasing. This set up (these speakers) are not the best for hard rock or metal but for jazz, acoustic music, vocals, folk-rock, soft rock (think Knophler) and most classical, it is very satisfactory.   I would like to compare it, side by side, with an AB integrated such as a Hegel, Parasound or Krell, etc., but I live in the boonies and there is no one out here that has one to lend to me for a try out.  I really don't know what type of difference to expect from a different amp....maybe a bit more "punch"?
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