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.

__________________________________________________________________

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
chrisf817
3 posts
 

Also, regarding the node’s digital volume: does anyone know what it’s lowest volume level is before it starts sacrificing bit depth?  Is 50% or higher volume the only levels that are bit-perfect/lossless?

atulmajithia
12 posts
 

Has anyone compared this amp with the recently released Atma-Sphere Class-D one? Since this one applies no loop feedback, while the Atma-Sphere does apply loop feed-back, I'd be interested in knowing how they compare, especially with music with a lot of transients.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,778 posts
 

@atulmajithia Its not a simple as you are asking- your question suggests to me that the amps you've heard that use feedback didn't use enough (which describes most amps made). Imagine a bell curve with the bell being the amount of harm caused by feedback, with zero feedback on the left and really a lot of feedback (+35dB) on the right. The reason it happens this way has to do with non-linearities present where the feedback is returned to the input of the amplifier, causing the feedback signal to be distorted before it can do its job, so distortion is created while innate distortions are suppressed (for the most part). If you can add enough feedback though (+35dB or more at all audio frequencies) then you overcome this problem.

When you get over that hump, then the feedback isn't doing the damage it does when its somewhere in the middle. Strictly in our own comparisons to our zero feedback triode class A OTLs, our class D sounds remarkably similar.

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

This amp is not really about zero feedback.....it it MUUUUCH more. This amp is revolutionary. You are eliminating the DAC, Preamp, regular amp and analog cables. LESS IS MORE. I am pretty sure the stock GaN 1 is not quite as good as $400,000 worth of "normal" state of the art components. But a super tweaked version of this technology would, I am sure, beat the $400K electronics.

How much do you have to spend to beat this thing?.....$40K....more? So far, the stock unit has beaten $15K worth of super gear with it being sourced by a $400 streamer with a linear power supply.

If you are heavily into vinyl then I can see it would be hard to move in this direction as you have to run your phono stage through an ADC to convert it to high speed digital. But, if you listen to digital only and you have a system budget of $30K or less than I think there is NOW only one choice for most pure sound.....the GaN 1......If you like tube sound and have to have super liquid sound then again this is not your cup of tea......but solid state these days is pretty darn good.....and this thing is probably the king in the $20K solid state electronics game......and it costs $2K!!!!!!!! This will allow you to buy a better streamer with better digital volume control, super ethernet switching, super coax cable and better speakers and speaker wires...... for WAY, way better sound than what you currently have. This is just so cool. All the "normal" class D amp manufacturers, including Atmasphere, Merrill, AGD, Orchard, Purifi, Hypex, IcePower, etc. are now put on notice.......YOUR STUFF IS OBSOLETE! he he

You will see some of these manufacturers soon playing with this technology and other companies not currently making class D will join in the game. You will see $100,000 digital amps from Boulder and Gryphon.....you will see $25K digital amps from Classe, Luxman, Levinson, etc.....you will see $10K digital amps from lots of people and you see RIGHT NOW.....the Peachtree GaN 1 at $2K

Dealers do not want to know about this product.....this will kill the sales of their $3K-$20K integrated amps, and separates. This is a radical new thing that is going to shake up the "normal" audiophile community. Naturally, your 1 percenters will still want the mega buck linear amp systems. BUT YOU want this....if you value sound quality. And you can have it right now.

This is just the tip of the iceberg....bi and triamping your speakers using zero analog xover, powered speakers with everything built in.....it is all coming....very soon......everything controlled perfectly in the digital domain....time aligning, perfect bass in your room......THE FUTURE IS NOW!

mofojo
2,288 posts
 

Interesting would love to hear one. I wonder if they demo models they send out for evaluation? I personally would do that if I was a Hifi manufacturer/seller. Would be a pretty easy sell right? Beat the s..t outta my 20k tube mono blocks. Of course I’ll take 2 .. 

More to discover