2. amps-preamps
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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
singintheblues
96 posts
 

Well I’m no scientist. My Particle Physicist daughter has a Fellowship at CERN, so it’s in my genes/jeans.

 

I always thought the measure of good Amp design was how the thing sounded. Have I got it wrong?

 

I’m no psychologist either, but when I see a man so obsessed about an amplifier he’s never heard, my suspicion is he’s one of those audiofools who’s whole identity is built on his stack of $$$$$$$$ boxes & wires and is terrified by the thought some new fangled tech might sound as good at a fraction of the price.

 

That, or he just talks sh1te.

donnylovely
105 posts
 

Measurements can tell you if there is a problem, but they can't tell you if the thing will sound good or not.

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

I completely disagree with Ralph....and of course, the other guy....he he.

I can take any amplifier....including the Atmasphere class D amps and make them sound any way I want without touching the actual circuit......so it will still measure the same.  YOU CANNOT measure the sound of solder, wire, jacks....removing jacks, damping, wire directionality, capacitors, resistor brands, inductor brands, removing noise creating things like fuses and LEDs, adding exotic noise filters, etc, etc. into infinity.  I can hear ALL OF THESE THINGS and so can ANYONE else.....if they actually do serious listening tests on a tweaky system with an open mind. 

I have modified the super measuring Purifi amps and improved the sound tremendously.  Just read the review of my modified VTV amp on 10 audio and compare it with his review of the NAD C298 amp that he reviewed using the same modules......my amp sounds way better.

It is not "magic" that all these things sound different......it is just the way it is.  You can keep your head in the sand and pretend that all these things are just BS I am trying to sell you.......or you can believe your ears.  Lots manufacturers actually believe a lot of what I just posted.  They are constantly upgrading parts and execution because their ears tell them to.  Kef uses ordinary Chinese xover parts in their LS50 Meta......but uses serious xover parts in the Blade 2 Meta.....they use WBT input jacks, better wire, hard wired xovers, better resistors, capacitors and inductors.....every single thing in the Blade has been upgraded from the ordinary parts used in the way cheaper LS50.......they do this because it makes it sound better.....not for better bling....or so they can adverstise something that is not true.  What is really interesting is that Kef no longer shows off their super xover....like they did on the page for the original Blade.....they just say they updated the crossover more.......so they are not trying to leverage anything by using better SOUNDING parts.....except to make it sound better.  The most expensive Magico speakers use the more expensive and better sounding Mundorf parts.......the speakers do not measure better because of better SOUNDING parts.....they just sound better.  I could site hundreds of examples of complanies that tweak and use better sounding parts and offer varuious levels of product based on how much tweaking they add.

The art of audio....is just that......half engineering....and half listening to every single thing possible and putting it all together to give the best sound.  Measurements NEVER tell you all you want to know about the sound.  The first person to upgrade all the basic Chinese xover parts in their Mofi speaker with super sounding parts is going to have to scape their jaw off the floor after they listen to the upgraded speaker.....same with amps, preamps, DACs....whatever......measurements will only take you so far.  My modded GaN1 will sound way better than stock....yet it will still measure exactly the same.....I do NOTHING that would make it measure any different........this game is infinite.

Now, who wants the last word?  Can you guess?

Love you all beyond words.....you are all magnificent, magical and beautiful....forever and ever........

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dolfan
109 posts
 

@ricevs I didn't take @atmasphere comments as meaning there is no sound difference to different architecture. I thought he was saying they are much more advanced in "forecasting" what stuff sounds like and the ability to confirm that with testing and data and listening. I think you both are confirming the same thing? 

 

thanks to everyone for making this a very interesting thread, dolfan

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