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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
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.

 

 

yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 

I have been listening to the GAN1 for almost the whole day (and yesterday) and this amp sounds great, even without the necessary sub. I am very impressed by this amp.

I also sold 1 of my Benchmark AHB2 amps today. I am keeping the other one because listening to my tuner was a PIA with the GAN1. It takes me 10 seconds to flip the speaker cables so not a problem.

Once I raise enough cash from gear sales, I am going to pair the GAN1 with the KEF Reference 1 speaker. That monitor will not need a sub in my room.

 

 

sirnui
83 posts
 

Exciting times for sure. I’m also impressed with my self-modded VTV D300 amp. The stock D300 performed at a similar level to my previous system which consisted of a 6K traditional amp, 1.7K XLR cables, and 3K DAC. For about the price of the XLR cables alone, the D300 gave me the same level of performance. This is a real bargain! And after doing the mods which I estimate is about $400 including parts and tools, the D300 is now at another level and I believe would beat my old system. My speakers are Zu Audio Soul 6 which have a live in your listening room sound. The D300 has only increased the sense of liveliness and realism. I believe the GAN 1, especially a modded GAN 1, would do the same if it were in my system.

For years I’ve enjoyed headphone listening over listening to the 2 channel system. But now with an amp like the D300 and the Soul 6 speakers, I find listening to the 2 channel system to be slightly more enthralling than headphones. This is a surprising statement for me and this is not to reduce my joy with headphone listening in any way because that is still a very addictive activity. The 390W D300 is also at times reconfigured to power my headphone system but I use a converter box before the power reaches my sensitive Sennheiser IE900 IEMs. Sounds amazing with headphones.

I have also sold some gear recently and have started to reinvest those funds in other parts of the system. The fun continues.

lee_short
20 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara 

"you need a 1.5m BNC to RCA 75 ohm coaxial cable."

This is oddly specific, I'd think any 75 ohm BNC to RCA would work.  Did they actually say that, or is 1.5m just what you ended up buying?

 

yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 

@lee_short I do not know exactly what I have, but It is a SPDIF, with RCA at GAN1 end and BNC at streamer end. This worked with the Lumin X1 as a streamer and the Sonore OpticalRendu connected to a Sonore UltraDgital streamer which had BNC connector.

The Lumin X1 is amazing with the GAN1 since it has volume control via a optional remote. The streamer sounds great and the remote is not bad, I was expecting a lot worse on the volume control.

I sold another item that I did not want to setup with the GAN1, the KEF KC62 sub. Another 2 more items to go before I upgrade the speakers for this amp.

 

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