GaN amps: Peachtree or LSA Voyager?

@kuribo We get it. There is no need to keep repeating yourself. 

@whitefishpoint1175  Rogue RP-7 NOS

@mrdecibel ??? 
I know who he is, but do you have the right thread?

@snapsc 

Probably true, but I can't confirm. I leave my amps on all the time and did that with the 225M. I will say that the 225M are very efficient... no idea how they accomplished that, but even under a heavy load they barely get warm. The Voyager never gets hot but it gets warmer than the 225M. 

@evelyn1 Stop it. Get back in your cage.

@twoleftears Playing devil's advocate here: Is a home grown GaN module necessarily better than off the shelf stuff? I had a pair of AGD Audions a year or so ago and returned them. I think my comment was something like 'detailed and squeaky clean but anemic, thin, and over priced for 85 watts.' I understand that moving up to the next AGD level adds more grunt, but the cost is outrageous.  

@atmasphere OK, Ralph, gonna put you on the spot. I wouldn't do this except that you sort of volunteered. The A/Bs I'm talking about are the Van Alstine DVA M225 monos. Surely you know Frank and his products. Care to comment on his matching GBP to feedback? (By the way, this kind of tech stuff is way over my head so I'm not taking a position other than I'm sure you know what you are talking about). 

I bought the Benchmark AHB2 amplifier. Don't know yet when I will receive it. My thinking is there is a return period; it is well regarded so if I decide to sell after the return period I should have no trouble; I had their LA-4 pre for a while and it was a very good piece; I am hoping my tube preamp will keep the sound from being dry. 

Thanks everyone for your opinion.

@ricevs Thanks Rick. I was wondering when you would chime in. I was wondering about Purifi too. Tell me more. What are you doing with it? What has NAD done with it? (Oh, aghast! NAD in a high end system?) Tell me more, I am genuinely interested.

@pwayland Please explain. What was your experience with these devices that merits such comments?

@mitch2  I had a pair on loan to listen to, courtesy of a dealer in NJ. They were very nice: detailed and smooth. Interesting in that they each have a large transformer, unusual for any class D that I have encountered. I could end up buying them, but I want to investigate more before I buy.

@jackd Last year I bought a pair of AGD Audions, but returned them. Squeaky clean and detailed but thin and grossly over priced for 85 watt monos. And that fake tube thing... well, the idea of being able to upgrade is interesting. 

@rajugsw Thanks for the suggestions. I will check them out.

@bruce19 Hey, that is the kind of info I am looking for. Thank you!

Getting back to my original question, does anyone have experience with both the Voyager and the Peachtree GaN 400?

Thanks to everyone.

@jjss49 Like your picture and the music it represents. Other than environmental issues I'm not sure why I'm wedded to class D. I guess America loves the underdog. Currently using Bel Canto Ref600 monos which are class D but not GaN. They are anything but meatless. The only problem I have with them is a slight synthetic texture that appears mostly in sax and some piano registers. And they are not as quiet as they could be, but I am nit picking here. On the whole with these Fyne speakers they sound great. The Black amp from Bel Canto is a little bit smoother and quieter, but I don't believe I can hear into the music quite as well with it (might be an artifact of the texture thing I mentioned). And it cost $12,000 US.

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks! I have been following your trials on here. I almost bought a Coda 8 a while ago. That is quite a price drop on the Krell. I have thought about Krell too. I like the idea of XD, but I haven't heard one. The 300 is a bit rich for me. I might investigate the 175. I remember you saying you sold the Voyager in favor of the Benchmark, but did you say why? Why? I've thought about the Benchmark as well (had the LA-4 for a while and it was quite good). Concerned about the dryness with it too. But then I have a three subs that could maybe pick up the slack. Dunno.

@twoleftears I am definitely interested in the Orchard Ultra with upgrades. But again, how do I hear one before purchasing? I haven't been able to find their return policy. Do you have reason to believe it will sound different from the other GaN offerings?

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks for that update. What speakers? What efficiency? Please let me know how that combo works for you with speakers. 

My thinking is to approach it from the other direction: Pre with NOS tubes and a GaN based amp (though I could reverse that with the combo you have). I wish there was a good GaN amp with a tube input stage.

Was it the Coda 7 pre you used with the AHB2? What are you using with it now? I would think something with a bit of warmth and liquidity (tubes) would be the right direction.

@whitefishpoint1175 Yes, currently using Mazdas in the front positions with RCA 5814A following. 

@twoleftears You recommended the Orchard Audio Ultra Stereo. It looks interesting to me, but I am curious why you specifically recommended that one over the other GaN offerings discussed (Voyager, Peachtree, Atma-Sphere)? 

@ron1264 Yes, I gave them a fair chance. And that was with a pair of Spatial X5, 97db with a self-powered woofer. Like I said the next step up in the AGD line supposedly solves that problem, but the price, if I recall, was double the cost of the Audion. Yes, I know the "tube" is the output stage and I applaud the ability to upgrade by replacing the "tube". I just think out is a bit pretentious. But that's just me. 

What speakers and preamp are you using with them?

@twoleftears Ha! I have Rowlands. Well, sold one 535, still have the other. Had a Model 2 for years. And a Synergy pre. Jeff has pulled all his D's off the market. I don't know if he is rethinking his involvement with class D or getting ready to do the latest D tech. 

@music_is_life I do. That is why I started this thread. I can't afford to buy all the amps I'm interested in to make a comparison.

@kuribo Debate? Who the hell wants a debate? I can look at the specs of the various amps and compare that for myself, but as most of us know that is only the first step. The proof is in the puddin, as they say, and the puddin in this case is completely subjective. See my comments to music_is... above. 

Regarding the 'self serving bs being slung' around here, I asked for it. I find it useful. And finally I am an adult, unlike some others who lurk around here, and I know how to interpret these comments - I don't need you to do it for me. Thank you very much. Now get back into your cage unless you have something useful to contribute.

@kuribo I would be more inclined to pay attention to what you have to say if you were not so negative and condescending. You might actually have a useful contribution, but I'm having a lot of trouble getting past your attitude. 

@tweak1 Well said.

@atmasphere 

I see and understand your point. As a designer/manufacturer you have to be involved with measurement. And the quality of your work speaks for itself.

Tweak1's point is also a good one. As a consumer with little to no background in electronics, most of the displayed specs for any piece of gear are simply beyond my understanding. Yes, I could undertake to educate myself, but I simply have no interest in that aspect of it. So while it might put me at a disadvantage in purchasing new gear, I gather whatever info I can from various sources (I'm the OP) but ultimately it is my ears/perception of the piece in my system that will decide if it stays. 

Rick can speak for himself, but I suspect he falls somewhere in the middle. I doubt very much if he has access to the kind of testing equipment you use.

Benchmark is not expecting to ship my amp until May 30. They say they are backup with orders. 

@lewinskih01 Thanks, will do.

@niodari Thanks, will do.

Well, I followed up a lead from another post and, well... I canceled the Benchmark order and ordered a pair of Van Alstine DVA M225 monos. I sure hope this is my last pair of amps (and not because of a shortened lifespan)! 

By the way I still have a Jeff Rowland 535 and a pair of Bel Canto 600M monos to sell. Ahem, yes, and a pair of KEF Reference 1's, almost brand new. 

@niodari I like what I’ve been reading about the M225 monos, so I’m going to see this one through. I will report back. Might be a couple of weeks before they ship.

@niodari Just got a notice that they have shipped. Fingers crossed!

@tweak1 I ordered a couple of add-ons from Ric. Other than that I will have to see how the amps perform. 

@mrdecibel Thanks! Yes, looking for that lost chord. The Bel Cantos are close though. So many choices. I’m very curious what good A/B brings to the party. If this doesn’t work out it will be GaN of some flavor.

@atmasphere Thanks for the explanation. They are due here tomorrow, so we shall see.

Received my Van Alstine 225M amps yesterday. First impression: If listening straight out of the box is any indication, these are going to be very musical amps. There is a little bit of an edge to dynamic peaks - if I am lucky this will fade as they burn in. Otherwise I am already happy. Extraordinary performance for the money.

Out of the box - i would say 90% of what i have owned  over the last 30 years - sounded really good

 

 if you can say that you still like them in 30 days - then those amps are special

I don't entirely disagree with you. It does take some time to get to know the sonic personality of the equipment involved, but my experience with new out of box is that the items usually sound congested and harsh relative to where they will end up. 

I bought the used LSA Voyager that was advertised in US Audiomart. It has not been modded. Should be here Saturday. This will be interesting. Stay tuned.

@rc22 what are your new speakers? I bought a Pair of Fyne F1-8 a couple of months ago and I am loving them. They very easy to drive - 6 ohm minimum impedence. Every amp I have tried with them has done well, but of course some are more satisfying than others. The 225s are great. Will have the Voyager tomorrow.

@pehare A dealer loaned me a pair of the Atma-Sphere GaN monos. They are indeed very nice. Interesting that they have a big toroidal transformer, the only D I have come across that does. I could eventually end ups with a pair. Just wish they had more power. At the time I was still using my KEF Reference 1s which benefit from lots of juice.

@snapsc 

When I had the Alma-Sphere monos I had not yet acquired the Fynes. The KEF Reference 1s that I was using at the time need a lot more grunt in an amp than the Fynes.

I no longer have the Atma-Spheres here to compare to the LSA. Listening at the moment to the AVA 225 monos on the Fynes (an excellent combination by the way). Going to insert the LSA in a few minutes.

@rc22 @snapsc @yyzsantabarbara @niodari @lewinskih01 @ricevs    

First impressions, and a qualifier: My comments relate entirely to my system and my sensibilities. Both the AVA 225M and the LSA Voyager GaN 350 are superb amps in my opinion. These are my FIRST impressions:

It is closer than I expected it to be. The LSA seems to have a blacker background, better decay, better rendering of textures, better detail. I think the AVA has slightly better global dynamics but has more of a tendency to break up on dynamic peaks (maybe from switching into AB?). Or maybe it seems that way because the LSA doesn't break up. The LSA has better micro dynamics. Imaging is a little better on the LSA. Both amps are what I would call slightly warm. 

Both the AVA 225M and the LSA Voyager GaN 350 are superb amps, and each is a steal at the retail price. As things stand now I am going with the LSA. I hear nothing negative and lots of positive. But again these are first impressions that might change. If they do I will update this thread. 

Hi Ric. I’ve been doing this comparison without the tweaks I bought. After I‘m sure I have a handle on the character of the LSA I will add them back. Then I will likely send to you for mod. 

First, since I wrote this I discovered a noise problem that might or might not have to do with the LSA, don't know yet. It could be the tubes in my preamp. I will follow up today and post the results. The LSA is second hand, not new. If it is the amp it is going back for sure. I suspect the amp because in my experience tube noise is constant regardless of volume setting. This noise was not apparent at listening levels but at full volume even from my listening position is was very apparent. It was not just hiss, and the left channel was worse. 

@niodari  No problems with the HF. Smooth, clean, and delicate at listening levels.

@rc22  I didn't have expectations that I am aware of. I prefer the looks of the AVA, cute little shoebox size monoblocks. 

I'm happy (sort of) to report that the noise problem is my preamp, NOT the Voyager. Now I have to figure out what to do about the pre. Replacing tubes in it is a PITA because I have to pull the unit from the cabinet, disconnect all, and remove the entire housing to get at the tubes.

Recommendations for preamps from those with a Voyager? @yyzsantabarbara 

@jpwarren58 That is my current rig. Rogue RP-7 NOS > Voyager

@yyzsantabarbara If you are interested in the KEF Reference 1 I have a pair for sale. Less than a year old in mint condition. Walnut. See US Audio Mart.

Yeah, I had an LA-4. It would be too much of a good thing with the Voyager. It was great with the Rowland 535 monos though. I'm thinking more tubes, but maybe a little less bloomy than my current RP-7. Though I should probably change tubes. That might change the noise as well. The Rogue RP-9 looks interesting, as do some of the ARC reference preamps, and Atma-Sphere MP-3. Am I nuts or what?

@snapsc 

It is harder for more analytically inclined or obsessive people. I am not one of them. 

@aldnorab  You are right of course. Probably the tubes (not sure yet), but these are not very old. NOS from Brent Jessee. Supposed to be tested and matched. I have the original tubes that I can stick back in to see, but it is such a pain to do: have to disconnect everything, pull the unit from the cabinet, unscrew about a dozen screws to remove the entire housing. 

Re the amp: I'm done for now. Staying with the Voyager. My initial impressions seem to be consistent with ongoing performance, so not much more to say. It is an excellent amp and a bargain at the retail price.

@nyaudio98 

Really? And what review would that be? If you are addressing me, I already own one and love it. 

@jaymark 

Thank you for all of your posts on this amp. The discussions you generated led me to this amp, albeit somewhat round about, and I am very happy with it. 

Can you characterize the sonic improvements resulting from Ric's mod? I do have his RF filters.