Peachtree GaN 1 Beta

@sirnui I am going to assume your U2 is the same as my X1 minus the DAC chip. The streamer on the X1 is louder, faster sounding, and maybe more aggressive sounding (that could be related to the increased loudness). I am comparing this to my Sonore OpticalRendu. I had 3 of these great streamers but sold 2 of them because the X1 replaced them. Not sure which is better, they sound different, but both are excellent.

@sirnui Congrats, the streamer is well worth it for the GAN1. Mine is modded and sounds incredible with the Lumin X1 using Fibre Optic input streaming and SPDIF output streaming. I also bought the optional remote control which is very useful.

@dolfan I am getting more bass out of my modded GAN1. I kept 1 of my 2 Benchmark AHB2's and the differences between the 2 amps is easily evident. The AHB2 is still the most crystal clear, but the GAN1 is more powerful, and I find the better overall amp. The GAN1 seems to be getting better still with more hours. 

My Lumin X1 DAC is useless with the PeachTree GAN1. That is the DAC chip in the X1 is totally skipped. I only use the SPDIF stream output from the X1. Now this stream is rather good since it originated from a Fibre Optical input into the X1.

The new Lumin U2 eliminates the DAC inside the unit (I think).

In my situation, I use the X1 as both a SPDIF streamer and an analog DAC out to my RAAL VM-1a headphone amp. So, I am maximizing the use of the X1.

@viethluu Get it modded by Ric and then decide if the hype is real, ha ha. This modded amp is amazing.

I just bought an amp stand (with wheels) for my CODA #16. That arrives soon. Once it does, I will be doing head-to-head comparisons with the following:

• Lumin X1 SPDIF stream out (fibre in) | modded PeachTree GAN1
• Lumin X1 analog out (fibre in) | Benchmark LA4 preamp | CODA #16

I will be using a KEF LS50 Meta until I sell some speaker cables, then the LS50 will be replaced by the KEF Reference 1 Meta (or maybe Magico A1)

At this point I am not sure which setup will be preferred. That is how good the GAN1 sounds in my office system. Now my speakers are not big, and the room is small so maybe the GAN1 is benefiting from that.

When I get the KEF Blade 2 Meta in the Fall for a bigger room, I am going to try the GAN1 on it to see if it can hang with the CODA system. That is the CODA systems intended purpose. I am very happy to sell more gear and save money if it makes sense sonically.

BTW - the speaker cables I am selling are Audience FrontRow long enough only for monoblocks. I am selling them because they are too short for the GAN1. I sold one of my 2 Benchmark AHB2’s because the modded GAN1 was better. The cables were used with the 2 AHB2’s.

BTW2 - the new speaker purchase is the result of the GAN1 not easily incorporating my now sold KEF KC62 sub. The LS50 Meta + KC62 sub are great but the sub failed a few times on me and the GAN1 sounds too good to not use, so out went the KC62. The next speaker will negate the need for a sub in my small room.

@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.

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.

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

Been listening some more to the modded GAN1 and my KEF LS50 Meta. Still not at the uber sonic levels of the CODA #16 gear but damn this is still some fine sound. Next month, I will be buying my Livingroom speaker, the Yamaha NS5000, and I think I will give the GAN1 first dibs at running that speaker.

I was planning on the KEF Blade 2 Meta however, the GAN1 will not really drive that well, while the NS5000 should be driven well with the GAN1. I also save a ton of money if this works out.

Edit: Just found out what my taxes are for 2022 (CA has an extension). Happy days are back. I am ordering the NS5000 next week to go with the GAN1.

I have put up my Lumin X1 up for sale if anyone with the GAN1 is interested. I may trade it in tomorrow if I get a good offer. I am going to upgrade that DAC to the Playback Designs and the Playback Designs Stream-IF gives me the streaming functionality of the Lumin X1.

I am going to be buying the Yamaha NS5000 speaker tomorrow and using it with the modded GAN1. That is it for my Livingroom system, super simple and it will cost me about 5x less $$$ than I expected to spend with separates and KEF Blade 2 Meta.

One reason I will try the GAN1 with the NS5000 is that the NS500 has massive amount of bass with that 12-inch Zylon driver (same as tweeter and mid). The slightly less bass with the GAN1 vs the CODA #16 may work in my favor with the NS5000. The CODA is the outlier here, it is unusually powerful.

I will be using the Sonore OpticalRendu with the UltraDigital (for SPDIF) for the GAN1 streaming. I already have this gear and it worked well with the GAN1. However, I think I will run into a problem using the Stream-IF without the opticalRendu so I may get the Lumin U2 in the future for the GAn1. Or get the new Sonore OpticalRendu expected out in late summer.

I will also be selling a bunch of XLR’s and RCA that are now no longer needed.

BTW - I would NEVER have used the stock GAN1 with the Yamaha NS5000. That would be a criminal.

On a whim I managed to buy the Magnepan LRS+ from a dealer 2 weeks ago. I have them in my office system. It previously used the KEF LS50 Meta in this system. I still have the LS50 but the LRS+ is on stage now.

I even repurchased the KEF KC62 sub to use with the LRS+ (and LS50 Meta). Unfortunately, I do not know how to use the sub with the GAN1. I had to send my Benchmark LA4 preamp for repairs because it was not working with the KC62 sub. Benchmark thinks the preamp is fine. So, I have to figure out what the issue could be once the LA4 returns.

In the meantime, I wanted to hear the LRS+ so I put the GAN1 on it. The LRS+ has about 50 hours on it now and I can tell a bit of the hardness on top has now gone away. I believe the LRS+ needs some power to shine, Today, I am hearing amazing sound from the LRS+ and the modded GAN1. The GAN1 certainly has enough power for the LRS+. The sound is larger than the LS50 Meta and a bit clearer. A sub will definitely make this speaker shine even more. My room is small at 12 x 11 x 9 (plus extra closet space).

This sound is so impressive that I am going to use the GAN1 with my bucket list speaker that I bought last week. I was planning on buying a KEF Blade 2 Meta. However, a kids birthday party that I am hosting this Saturday made me realize it was crazy to have the Blade around kids. I went with plan B and got the Yamaha NS5000 speaker.

This speaker is a lot easier to drive than the Blades. I will be using the GAN1 on this Yamaha for a while. I am $$ broke now, so no plans to get anything else. My concern with the GAN1 is useability for the family since it is controlled by software. No simple physical volume control to adjust volume. Anyways, I will see if this is a real problem. The sound is really not an issue for me with the modded GAN1.

I had to sell my Lumin X1 to buy the Yamaha, the Lumin was my GAN1 streamer. I am now using the Sonore OpticalRendu to stream into the GAN1 and control everything via ROON.

The office system will be:

CODA #16 | Benchmark DAC3B | Benchmark LA4 (or Holo Serene) preamp | Magnepan LRS+ (and KEF LS50 Meta)| KEF KC62 sub | WyWire Platinum speaker cable | Playback Designs Stream-IF ROON READY streamer.

The Livingroom system will be:

PeachTree GAN1 | Yamaha NS5000 speaker | WyWire Diamond speaker | Sonore Optical Rendu ROON READY streamer.

I am hedging my bets with the GAN1 since I have 2 preamps, the LA4 and Serene. I likely will get another amp and put a preamp and amp with the Yamaha. If that happens then the GAN1 will go towards headphone duty. If I find that I do not need to ’upgrade’ the GAN1 then I will sell one of the 2 preamps.

I had the modded Peachtree GAN1 and the PeachTree GAN400 in the house for the past month. I was using the GAN400 on the Magnepan LSR+, which I like a lot. I found the GAN400 with a Holo Serene preamp and Shitt Yggi+ LM rather good. A bit of hardness on the top end (very minor) that was not in the GAN1. 

I returned the GAN400 last week and bought a used Benchmark AHB2 (again) for $2K to be used in the same small room. I will have 2 systems the GAN1 and a KEF LS50 META + KEF KC62 sub. The sub is not essential for the LSR+, but does help. 

Since I need both analog sources and streaming, I will use the GAN1 with the 5 lb LRS+ and the AHB2 with the KEF LS50 Meta. Both will be great and not too much of an issue having both speakers in the same room. Nothing I will freak out about.

The GAN1 is almost there in terms of features. It just needs analog input support and also subwoofer support. I know the BluesNode can provide this but my fibre optical streaming is better.

I also recently tested the modded GAN1 with the Yamaha NS5000, which I have in my larger Livingroom. I needed to crank up the volume a lot to get very good sound from the system. I felt the speaker needed more power, so I have the CODA #16 on it instead, with a Benchmark LA4 preamp.

@singintheblues If you are willing to take a chance with the GAN1, send it to TweakAudio.com and let Ric make the GAN1 sound good ($500). In stock form it is just OK. You have an great piece of gear but you just have not heard it yet.

A great front end for this is the Sonore OpticalRendu +

ultraDigital 1.5 - USB to SPDIF and i2s converter – Small Green Computer

It is ROON READY with volume control on the software (has to be with the GAN1).

I also used a Lumin X1 as a streamer to the GAN1 and controlled the volume with the LeedH volume control. This was another amazing way to control the GAN1. Lumin has a new streamer minus the DAC which is what is needed for the GAN1.

LUMIN U2 (luminmusic.com) (also has a remote control that works with the GAN1)

I bought a used Sonore OpticalRendu from Canada for $700 and will get it in 4 weeks. It will be used with the GAN1, which is idle at the moment. I had this setup before as I mention above.

I used fibre optic streaming for both scenarios I described. That is the only way I stream. Only limitation I had with the streamers I used was the difficulty in hooking up a sub. The Node supports it but it does not do fibre so I never considered it.