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
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

Yes, I am.  Please give me a call for more info.

sirnui
83 posts
 

Darko's review of the GaN 1

https://youtu.be/qzF3oSjOIgA

mr_bill
347 posts
 

For those of you using ifi zen stream with Gan 1:

are you using the software volume control in the zen stream to control volume?

Does this software volume affect quality?
I don’t know any other way you would control volume otherwise.

ricevs
1,543 posts
 

Yes, using the volume control in the Zen Stream and it sounds great at all volumes.  The only way you would know if it affects the sound would be to use volume control in a lossless volume (like Leedh) and then run it into the Zen stream and put its volume to full and compare.  Of course, you are adding extra stuff and cables to do the A/B.....few on this planet will attempt such a test.  So, basically no one knows.  The Zen Stream is preferred by some over the Bluesound and they both have a digital volume control.  Some like the way more expensive Lumin products with Leedh volume control.....but what is making the difference in sound?

yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 

I had a Playback Designs Stream-IF ($2K) still in my office for the last 3 months and put it into my system yesterday. I noticed that it had a COAX stream output, so I wanted to try it on my modded GAN1. I first installed the ASIO driver from Playback Designs and used it as a ROON endpoint with my computer. It was OK but not amazing like my optical setup. I then disconnected the computer and added my Sonore OpticalRendu to stream into the Playback Designs via USB and then the COAX to the GAN1. Volume is done by ROON.

On my RAAL SR1a headphones (with the second-best adapter box) the sound was great. The best I have heard on the SR1a using a 2-channel speaker amp. This is compared to $30K of old 2-channel gear that I sold and was the prior 2-channel champs on the RAAL SR1a.

Today I am comparing the same streamer setup with my KEF LS50 Meta speakers against the following:

Lumin X1 DAC and fibre stream with analog out | Benchmark LA4 preamp | CODA #16 amp | WyWire Diamond speaker cable

I am using the same WyWire Diamond speaker cable with the GAN1. This is an apples-to-apples comparison because I think the 3 streamers that I have now tried with the GAN1 are of similar quality (ultraDigital maybe a tad lower),

Lumin X1 SPDIF | Playback designs + Sonore OpticalRendu | Sonore OpticalRendu + Sonore UltraDigital (for SPDIF)

What I hear now with the GAN1 vs the CODA #16 is similar top end and mids but the bottom is missing with the KEF LS50 Meta and GAN1 (no sub was used). Not sure how the CODA #16 does it but it manages to add some bass into the mix and I sometimes question the need for a sub with the LS50 Meta and #16. I also felt the Benchmark AHB2 (sold) was missing the bottom with the LS50 Meta so I used a sub with it, However, my GAN1 streaming approach does not make using a sub easy.

This is the first time I found the modded GAN1 in second place in any of my comparisons. However, I have the upgraded RAAL adapter box for 2-channel and I am getting 2 cables made by RAAL so that I can use both the CODA #16 and the GAN1 with the SR1a and CA-1a. One cable is 25 feet and the other is 3 feet (for the GAN1). My beloved RAAL VM-1a tube amp will move out of the office because I think the GAN1 and CODA will get me to 90% maybe 95% with the new adapter box, which is incredible.

Getting the modded GAN1 was originally targeted for the RAAL SR1a headphone and the old adapter box. However, it will now go with the new adapter box and the CA-1a phones, the SR1a will not work with the GAN1 since I cannot do baffle compensation like I can with the CODA (no analog inputs).

Long term, I will be using the Playback Designs Stream-IF to stream to both the GAN1 (CA-1a) and the future Dream DAC I will get to replace the Lumin X1 (for 2-channel).

The Playback designs Stream-IF is sort of like a Lumin X1 stream with the restriction that it only does fibre to PlayBack Designs DACs (maybe also Nagra).

I am also going to get a Magnepan LRS+ for my office to alternate with the LS50 Meta. I think the CODA #16 will be better with the LRS+ given what I hear with the LS50 Meta

Office System | Virtual Listening Room (audiogon.com)

See photo: Modded PeachTree GAN1 vs CODA #16

 

 

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