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
mbolek
173 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara  I should have the Maria next week.   I'm very lucky to be so close to John at Lone Crow.  BTW, he is a great guy.

After to talking with Mark for almost an hour, these 200/800s are very interesting devices.

I'll PM you with more details, no need to put this out to all the gasbags...

yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 

Can anyone tell me what my implementation options are for adding my KEF KC62 sub with the GAN1?

I am putting together a list of items that I am going to advertise to sell tomorrow. I am wondering whether to keep the fine sounding KEF KC62 or sell it. I plan on buying a bucket list speaker to replace the LS50 Meta in my office (with more bass), the Yamaha NS3000. The NS5000 is actually the bucket list speaker but it is way too powerful for my office, so the NS3000 will have to fill in. A sub is not essential with the NS3000.

My strong impression of the GAN1 + Lumin X1 has given me the confidence to sell the following gear,

  • Benchmark AHB2 x 2 (monos)
  • Audience FrontRow speaker cable with SpeakON at amp end and banana at speaker end, 44 inches long. Perfect for the AHB2’s. Too short for the stereo GAN1. Can be re-terminated by Audience.
  • Benchmark LA4 (50% chance I buy this again)
  • Benchmark DAC3B
  • KEF LS50 Meta
  • KEF KC62 sub (I would like to keep this if I can integrate it with the GAN1)
  • Sonore OpticalRendu

I am also considering the KEF Reference 1 meta and non-meta. The KEF can be bought in the USA while the NS3000 seems to be available only from Canada.

mr_bill
347 posts
 

Other than using the high level speaker inputs like REL not sure what else you’d do.

How are you going to use a tuner with Gan1?  A2D converter?

yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 

The tuner is out of consideration on the GAN1. However, my VM-1a headphone amp, which is better than the GAN1, has XLR inputs and I will use it with the RAAL SR1a earphones for the 3 hours in the morning as I listen to KCRW on my Magnum Dynalab MD108T.

Normally I have the Lumin X1 DAC’s XLR on the VM-1a however, this morning I rearranged my gear and have the Lumin XLR and the MD 108T XLR’s grouped together so it will be a breeze to flip them back and forth.

My RAAL SR1a with the VM-1a is better than the GAN1 and KEF LS50 Meta. However, the sound out of the LS50 Meta is incredible, even without the sub. I do prefer 2-channel listening since it less physically restrictive but the SR1a is almost 2-channel like, not like regular headphones.

I should be content with this current LS50 Meta sound, but I know there is more available if I put in a sub. The Yamaha NS3000 without the sub will be better than the naked LS50 Meta and have more bass. The NS3000 was reviewed to be a more refined KEF Reference 1, which I totally believe since I have heard the NS5000 and the non-meta Reference 1.

Yamaha NS-3000: High-end Høyttalere I Miniutgave (lbtechreviews.com)

I will put a few photos of my new setup in the evening. I am taking most of the gear down to Ventura, CA today for a listening session. I will post the feedback, could be good or bad, everyone hears differently.

@ricevs I hope you can post some comparisons between the Peachtree GAN1 and whatever VTV amp you are modding. I realized I did not solve my initial problem of getting an amp for my RAAL SR1a + amp adapter box for another room. So, I either get another GAN1 or a VTV.

I forgot I also have all the gear from Sonore to stream to the SPDIF.

BTW - I am keeping the Benchmark LA4 preamp, DAC3B, and the Sonore streaming pieces. The following are going bye-bye:

  • Benchmark AHB2 x 2
  • FrontRow Speaker cable
  • KEF LS50 Meta
  • KEF KC62 sub

 

yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 

I had a interesting demo session with my friend. The GAN1 sounded bad to him on the RAAL SR1a via a adapter box. He is used to the RAAL VM-1a so everything else sounds inferior. As I also said in my posts about the VM-1a.

We then put his Bryston 2B-SST on the system, replacing the GAN1. Again, he said it sounded bad. This made him say it is the adapter box that is the culprit. He knows how the 2B-SST should with the track we played. My adapter box is the old version.

He gave me the new adapter box to try out, which I did at home. Bad news is that it sounds much better than the old box, so that is about another $1K out the door. Goods news is is that it sounds better.

With regards, to my system. I decided to put back the AHB2 with my LA4 preamp, to listen to KCRW from 9-12. I cannot listen on headphones when I need to move about in the morning.

So I now need to change the speaker cable into the speakers from the GAN1 and AHB2 when I need to listen to the tuner. Not the end of the world and I am happy with the setup.

Another thing, a single AHB2 has more bass than 2 monos in with my LS50 Meta. I had the same thing with my Thiel CS3.7. I did not expect that with the LS50 Meta. The LS50 Meta + KC62 sub is going to be replaced by most likely the KEF Reference 1 Meta (getting a deal on the Ref 1).

The reason for the more bass from the single AHB2 could be because I have to now use the Benchmark speaker cable. I have no time to figure out if this is the true cause.

 

 

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