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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
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

@ricevs Since you don't provide any measurable proof that your tweaks result in better SQ, do you provide some form of guarantee that a customer would like the outcome? Say, I send you a unit to be tweaked and when I get it back I either don't hear any appreciable difference, or perhaps it sounds worse to me. Would you be able return my money including the shipping cost?

yyzsantabarbara
4,581 posts
 

I do not get all the folks whose panties are in a knot because of what Ric says he is doing to the gear. If you do not agree do not buy it and try. I have 2 pieces of gear that I had modded. The LAS Voyager 359 GAN amp by Ric and my now over 20-year-old Sony SCD-1 SACD player. One of the best players EVER made. The mods on both took a good to great unit and made them exceptional. Now for those people who panties get too tight with mods, why not loosen it up and breathe.

With regards to people who are pooh poohing the comments on here, these amps can be a an "interesting" competitor. Hmm?

 

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,326 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara , you like your Musetec DAC. And there were folks who quickly sold it, because it did not sound good to them. Point is - not everyone hears the same. As more and more people experience these amps, we will know a better picture. Only time will tell.

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

I do know this, I will never buy a integrated, preamplifier or amplifier that would require internal tweaks to make it sound good. Especially if the modifier cannot measure or validate the sudo engineering behind the mods.

When I built the motor in my 68 Z28 every modification was validated with dynamic testing and measurements through data acquisition. Same with my motorcycles. 

Risk reward, I am not letting some dude void my warranty, not some shade tree modifier of audio equipment. No matter how inexpensive this setup is. No fires in my house. 

 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

The issue is that Ric is not simply sharing his thoughts, he is selling his services on a hobbyist forum and there is financial interest underlying his posts. This is very much a sales pitch not all that different from another vendor who doesn't get a lot of love on this forum. So some scrutiny in my opinion is justified.

When I buy new equipment, unless it's pre-owned, I need some guarantees to know if it will work for me based on my listening preferences. In most cases, I can go to a dealer and audition the equipment in person. Or I can purchase it from vendors with reasonable return policies. But, here we've been asked to just trust a seller's judgment with no objective proof or guarantees. I understand that no one is putting a gun on our heads to buy Ric's services, but if you're going to advertise your services for free on an otherwise hobbyist/non-professional forum then some investigation is justified. If you're asking me to spend my money with no guarantees, taking risk such as voiding warranties, proclaiming that your enhancements are better than the original design, etc. then you have to provide more data points other than "trust me!"

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