I signed up for the beta. I'll be able to use my Rose 150B and compare the GaN1 (DAC less) to using the standard XLR out (9038 PRO DACs) to my existing Class D amps.
I guess going even farther would be to eval with their GaN400 or the LSA...
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.
__________________________________________________________________
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!
|
I'm intrigued! The only input is digital with a maximum depth of 24 bits. There is no internal volume control. So the only way to control the volume is in the digital domain, within the 24-bit range. On my current system (NAD M12 and M22 V1), I am generally setting my preamp somewhere between −48 and −30 dB for ‘active’ listening (depending on how loud the source has been mastered), and this even though my speakers (PMC fact·12) are quite ‘hungry.’ If I did that in the digital domain within 24 bits, I would effectively end up with a 16- to 19-bit signal. I can imagine situations (listening more quietly and/or with more effective speakers) where one would end up with even less (i.e., less than CD quality in terms of bit depth). Wouldn't that offset whatever benefits this amplifier has? Or do I misunderstand the way volume is handled in that system? In any case I'll be interested in reading what you have to say about this amp when you receive it! (I'm not in the US so can't take part in the beta testing.) |
@newbluesuit Volume will be controlled by the streamer. You will not lose any resolution (signal) going through the GaN1. In theory, this will be the most direct way to amplify a digital source. |
You won't lose anything inside the amplifier, but you will lose some (possibly a lot of) bit depth in the streamer when you control the volume in the digital domain. My NAD M12 controls the volume in the digital domain as well, but it does so at a much higher bit depth, and then the signal is converted to analog to feed the M22 V1. It would certainly be great if a digital signal with a very high bit depth could be fed into the GaN 1, but since the input is limited to 24 bits I'm very skeptical. You lose 1 bit of depth every time you lower the volume by 6 dB. |
While I really like this concept, of skipping what might be the superfluous conversion stage from PCM to analog (and to many, perhaps a most critical conversion stage) before ultimately being converted to PWM, @newbluesuit brings up an excellent point. Perhaps, if this device started with a higher bit depth such as the ubiquitous 32-bit rates now available this might work out better. Furthermore, I would like to see this amp spec’d into 4- and 2-Ohm outputs. |