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
lee_short
20 posts
 

Just got done working out the kinks of setting up my Lumin U1 Mini with the GAN1.

Here’s the pieces that aren't obvious: turn on Custom Re-Sampling. For DSD128, DSD64, 44.1kHz PCD -- all 3 of these should be set to 176.4kHz. All other set to Native. PCM Output Bit Depth set to 24.

With those settings, I can play both red book CDs and high resolution files (96/24, 192/24).

 

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

Yesterday, another person received their modded GaN1 and within a few hours of turning it on he sent me this email:

"Arrived, and already playing a bit…..AMAZING difference!! In stock form, I was actually finding the sound a bit lifeless (I have other streamers that feed both a GaN amp and one of your modded VTV Purifi amps, and they were much better than stock GAN-1).

Anyway, transparency galore, including some deeper bass definition. One of my guilty pleasure listens is a Viking/Pagan/Medieval band named Heilung. Lots of percussion, natural and artificial; chants/growls/singing; and lots of little Easter Egg sounds in the mix. The modded GAN-1 is already showing much more clarity around a bunch of their songs…. I know to listen for specific things and they are really great through this.

All of this is just thru a simple Pi-based streamer with digital output. Will eventually try out other streamers with better digital out, as well as getting the Holo Red DDC/streamer.

Looking forward to much more listening, but wanted to let you know all is great so far! "

These little modded amps kick some butt!

Who will be the first to build a 2 way speaker with two of these amps and the pure digital minidsp xover?........9.5 inch Satori woofer that goes below 30hz in a box and above it a $70 GRS planar on an open baffle.....crossed over at 500hz.....the whole thing equalized, room corrected and time aligned in the pure digital xover......wires running directly from my clamps on the amps to the drivers directly....no spades, no binding posts....no nothing.....just transparency like an electrostat.....but with super dynamics.....you could use two 9.5 inch Satori woofers in the same box it if you need to listen super loud or have a big room. This is what I want. $7K for the whole shebang including: xover with custom $500 power supply, two modded amps, three coax cables, speaker wire, drivers and wood........would sound like $100K....would blow your mind.

yyzsantabarbara
4,797 posts
 

As I type this, I am listening to my GAN1 with my RAAL CA-1a headphones. I got the GAN1 for the headphones but thought it was amazing on the 2-channel, so I had been listening to 2-channel since I got the modded amp back. I recently decided to use my CODA #16 and Lumin X1 on the 2-channel and use the GAN1 on the headphones. The CODA + Lumin is incredible. I will do some comparisons with the GAN1 later. From past memory, I think it is very close.

I am using a 2-channel RAAL headphone adapter box to connect the GAN1 to the headphones. The one I am using is not as good as the latest version of this adapter box. I cannot use the new one because Ric's mods on the GAN1 speaker connector is incompatible with the new interface box box's amp cable. I am getting a new cable next week (hopefully) to solve this issue.

Saying all of that. The sound quality today with the inferior adapter box and the modded GAN1 is the very best 2-channel amp paired with these headphones.  Better than $30K of gear (all sold) that was an apples-to-apples comparison with the GAN1. This was expected since I thought the GAN1 was the best on the headphones even before the mods.

After the mods, I definitely hear a better sounding system. So much so that I am now questioning the need for my RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp. That is with the inferior adapter box used today. When I get the new adapter box connected to the GAN1 it should be much better and may tip me to sell another piece of equipment, the VM-1a.

yyzsantabarbara
4,797 posts
 

@lee_short I posted a few weeks ago on this thread how to setup the Lumin X1 to stream via SDPIF. It should be the same for the U2. I got that info from Lumin rep on AudioShark.

lee_short
20 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara Yeah, I saw that. As you mentioned in that post, I needed to turn on Custom Re-Sampling and set DSD64/128 to 176.4. But that wasn’t enough to get my U1 Mini working. I thought others might be interested in the rest of the settings I needed to use to make it work.

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