2. amps-preamps
  3. 176422-76351

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

Showing 17 responses by mr_bill

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Can you use an Ifi Zen Stream into the Gan1 instead of a bluesound node?

Will Zen Stream control volume?

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Has anyone thought of a way to get more than one digital input into a Gan1 so you can use two inputs that have volume without having to connect and disconnect coax all the time?  
Would something like a Matrix SPDIF allow you to do that?

mr_bill
349 posts
 

@ricevs 

Ric, will you be offering and selling upgrades to the Gan1?

If the Gan1 puts out 200 watts per channel it should work with a Maggie 1.7i?

Are you also thinking of doing upgrades to the VTV D300?

mr_bill
349 posts
 

All, I understand a bluseound node or an Ifi Stream is what you hook up to Gan 1 to stream, output coax and control volume.

 

What if someone wanted to use an Ipad Pro with USB C and stream Apple Music high res lossless - would there be a simple workaround for that?  I'm just not understanding where the Dac function happens or how or if it is like a standard coax dac.

 

On another note with Gan 1 - I imagine an A to D converter like the AVA DVA A2D product could be used for an fm tuner and volume control.

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Looking forward to yyz’s honest take on the modded Gan1. He has a great system to compare with. 

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Yyz, you and I both like to have our vintage analog tuners playing too!

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Other than using the high level speaker inputs like REL not sure what else you’d do.

How are you going to use a tuner with Gan1?  A2D converter?

mr_bill
349 posts
 

@chrisld 

Do you have a Ric modded Gan1 or a stock Gan1?

Thanks for sharing your observations. 

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Thanks @ricevs

Ric, are you still modding the VTV Purifi in addition to the Gan1 and VTV300?

The review of the Ric modded Purifi in 10audio.com was super!

mr_bill
349 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.

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Any updates here?

I see that VTV 300 is similar to Peachtree Gan 1 - how do they compare?
Also Purifi and Hypex have newer modules - wondering how those sound?

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any updates to this thread. My Ric modded Gan1 will be done soon.
Will be using an ifi Zen Stream. I think the ZS sounds a little better than my Aries Mini and both have good software volume control.
I’ve never tried any of the new Auralic Aries streamers but they are priced a lot higher. I’ve read about Lumin mini but done think I’m interested in it or the Sonore. 
Anyone else have any compatible streamer recommendations for Gan1?

 

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Here’s another thought:

Would this work to run an fm tuner or a phono stage into a Gan1? It has a gain control and so do some tuners and preamps with phono?

All you’d have to do is move your coax SPDIF from your streamer to this unit with other end in the Gan1.


https://avahifi.com/collections/accessories/products/dva-a2d

mr_bill
349 posts
 

@simui

I’ll have to look at the Lumin streamers, especially the new U2 mini or the older D1. I was thinking they were all real expensive. I was worried with the fact that it is not wireless scared me away as my router is downstairs. I could get a Netgear wi fi extender.

I really like the volume control of 1-100 idea.

Is the Leedh volume control needed or used/beneficial if you are using Tidal Connect??

mr_bill
349 posts
 

Hi, anyone know if you can use a Fiio R7 as a streamer coax out into the Gan 1 and if you'll have volume control?  If so, that would work for Apple Hi Res.  

mr_bill
349 posts
 

I’m back with my @ricevs modified Gan1 up and running. 
All I can say is……..incredible. This thing is really really good. 
streamer is Ifi Zen Stream. Two components. 
 

mr_bill
349 posts
 

I've never heard the stock Gan1.

Ric’s reputation for his mods and especially mods to the Gan1, had me just get one and send to him for upgrading.

Still wondering about the Zen Stream as a streamer vs something else - the ZS streamer is good but I haven’t used any others. I have an auralic mini and the ZS. The streamer needs to have the service options which most have but since it is THE software volume control, have a vc that works really well too.

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