Peachtree GaN 1 Beta

@yyzsantabarbara Hear! Hear! See what I did there?

I've used Canare BNC to RCA and RCA to BNC adapters with the VTV D300 and I'm happy with their performance. If you already have a good SPDIF cable, I would recommend to try the adapters first.  There may not be a problem here to fix. 

Let the good times roll!  I just put an order for the Gan 1.  I will see if it can replace 10K+ worth of gear and cables.  My current streamer is a bluesound node 2i powered by an LPS.  I currently use a Shunyata Omega Clock 75 digital cable between the node 2i and my DAC.  I will also test with a HoloAudio Red streamer and an LKS DDC when they arrive.

My system is already on a Giandel inverter and battery thanks to ricevs.  I'm currently using a Puritan PSM 136 power conditioner but I'm also expecting a Shunyata Typhon T2 conditioner in a few weeks. The T2 has two outlets.  If I simplify the system down to the Gan 1 and a streamer then just the T2 would be perfect and simple.

If I end up selling my DAC and amp, that can easily fund purchasing a Grimm MU1 streamer which may be the ultimate mate with the Gan 1.  The MU1's specialty is 176.4/192KHz over SPDIF.  The MU1 was my former streamer. 

I got my LKS LPS-25-USB 5V linear power supply for my yet to arrive LKS DDC for less than $90 shipped from AliExpress. So while I waited for the LKS DDC, I put the LPS on the Node 2i and I was surprised how good the system sounds. I now prefer this SPDIF implementation into my DAC over the USB implementation I was using.  My SPDIF implementatuon also uses a megabucks digital cable so that probably plays a big part in the sound quality.  YMMV

@donnylovely It's fun to read about other folk's experiences with their gear but it's more fun to partake in the listening myself in the comfort of my home and within the familiarity of my system 😁

@dolfan I bought a power interface converter for my Node 2i from PD Creative based in Poland. I did the installation myself.  They also make a similar unit for the Node (gen 3).

I will share the results of all my experiments here in this forum so stay tuned.

I just rewatched the Youtube review of the GaN 400 and Pre DAC by Thomas & Stereo. Many of the good qualities he described of that pair is what I look for in my music. If the GaN 1 can get me all of those qualities and more, then I would be very happy.

I just bought a used Lumin U1 Mini specifically for the LEEDH volume control. I’m still waiting for the Holo Audio Red streamer which will now be used in DDC mode with the U1 Mini. I’m very eager to listen to all of this.

@ricevs I also bought a Lumin U1 Mini with Sbooster upgrade for the LEEDH digital volume control.  It sounds good. Controlling the volume from my phone is both good and bad.  It's convenient when I'm using the phone but it's inconvenient when I'm not because then I need to unlock the phone and then open the app.  Lumin makes a physical remote but I will wait on it for now. 

I had to cancel my GaN 1 order because my VTV D300 Digital Amp came in for delivery a few days back. I imagine it would perform similarly to the GaN 1 since it also uses an EAS board. I’m liking a lot what I’m hearing. It’s left on 24/7 for breakin and it’s getting better. It doesn’t beat my traditional DAC and amp just yet but it’s close to doing so and I may prefer it in the near future. The reviewer in the youtube video said the GaN 1 was improved with a DDC. I can say the same is true for the D300. My Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC came in today and although not broken in, it has made the music very fun to listen to. I enjoy what it’s doing. My SPDIF cable is a Shunyata Omega Clock 75 cable with BNC connectors. I have to use an adapter for the D300 but I plan to exchange the RCA connector for a BNC connector to eliminate adapters. The D300 is plugged into a Shunyata Typhon T2 conditioner. The T2 was partially made for power amps. The music is flowing tonight.

@ricevs Thanks again. You made me aware of the D300 and I appreciate your enthusiasm for audio and knowledge.

I made some upgrades to my VTV D300. Upgrades to the Gan1 may be similar.

Link

The Audio-GD DI-20HE has a coaxial SPDIF input and a USB input.  There is a selector on the front panel that allows me to easily switch between the two inputs. For my stereo I use the USB and for the HT I use the SPDIF input.  Don't know if this will work for your setup but it will work for some. 

I have a Bachelor's/Master's in CpE. I can say the mods I've made to my VTV D300 does not require any college education.  It's fairly basic to switch out stock wires/inlets/connectors with better wires/inlets/connectors. The most crucial thing for me was to learn how to solder/crimp properly, to do research on parts and techniques, and to take my time to get it right the first time.

I'm now reaping the sonic rewards.  It'll be great to hear about the gains from the mods on the GaN 1.  I know I would be able to relate.   

Exciting times for sure. I’m also impressed with my self-modded VTV D300 amp. The stock D300 performed at a similar level to my previous system which consisted of a 6K traditional amp, 1.7K XLR cables, and 3K DAC. For about the price of the XLR cables alone, the D300 gave me the same level of performance. This is a real bargain! And after doing the mods which I estimate is about $400 including parts and tools, the D300 is now at another level and I believe would beat my old system. My speakers are Zu Audio Soul 6 which have a live in your listening room sound. The D300 has only increased the sense of liveliness and realism. I believe the GAN 1, especially a modded GAN 1, would do the same if it were in my system.

For years I’ve enjoyed headphone listening over listening to the 2 channel system. But now with an amp like the D300 and the Soul 6 speakers, I find listening to the 2 channel system to be slightly more enthralling than headphones. This is a surprising statement for me and this is not to reduce my joy with headphone listening in any way because that is still a very addictive activity. The 390W D300 is also at times reconfigured to power my headphone system but I use a converter box before the power reaches my sensitive Sennheiser IE900 IEMs. Sounds amazing with headphones.

I have also sold some gear recently and have started to reinvest those funds in other parts of the system. The fun continues.

Looks very enticing.  It checks off a few boxes for sure. 

@yyzsantabarbara Well, I ended up buying that U2 unit and it's on a UPS truck right now coming my way. There is also a brand new one for sale here on AGon for a good price (less than MSRP) for anyone interested. This one doesn't come with remote like the unit I bought but still a good deal in my opinion for a new unit. 

I have a number of boxes and cables I can remove from the system if the U2 is good enough to dethrone that small collection.  The rack looks cluttered at the moment.  I'm hoping simpler is better in this case.

To describe just a slice of the boxes I currently have a Lumin U1 Mini with LHY Audio LPS feeding USB to an Ideon Audio 3R Master Time DDC feeding USB to an Audio GD DI-20HE DDC.  I would be mightily impressed if the U2 allows me to remove at least one of the DDCs.   

Correct, the Lumin U2 and other "U" Lumin units don't have DACs and are pure streamers.  I'm excited to try the fiber input of the U2. This is the future and the future is now. I think this can simplify the network side of my system.  The U2 has a special USB output but I'm doubtful this alone can replace my USB reclocker. I usually find that improvements along the USB chain are cumulative.  

The Lumin U2 is an excellent streamer.  I'm very happy with the purchase.  The RCA SPDIF output is good but the USB output with my two DDCs is special.  Currently, The U2's USB output feeds an Ideon Audio 3R Master Time which feeds an Audio GD DI-20HE.  USB cables are Zavfino Majestic and Sablon EVO.  SPDIF cable is current generation Sablon with Bocchino Paladium RCAs.  The DI-20HE is signal grounded with its external clock (LHY Audio OCK-1) to a Puritan Audio Routemaster Signal Ground Unification System.  The clock canle is current gen Sablon  

For the network, it's currently TP Link mesh router > Uptone EtherRegen > Sonore opticalModule connected by fiber to the Lumin U2. 

This is very elaborate, I know, but the sound is very addictive to say the least.  The Lumin U2 replaces a Lumin U1 mini with LHY LPS conversion. The U2 has brought an ease to the sound. In other words, my already low listener fatigue was made even lower. The second thing it has brought is ... information.  That's a weird word to describe music but I think it summarizes very well what I'm hearing because I'm literally hearing more information. I'm hearing more of the details contained in the music.  For example, there is airiness but it's dense.  That's an oxymoron so let me try to explain.  When the bass hits, it feels heavier and fuller, and yet it's very articulate, detailed, and ... airy... the reverb of the bass hit lingers just ever so slightly longer to create a better sense of the air.  It's this type of information  I'm hearing and the great news is, it's not limited to the bass.

I have not described the power side of my system which is just as elaborate but I will save this for another night. 

I have an LHY Audio SW-10 switch coming any day now.  I plan to replace the opticalModule with the SW-10 and send fiber both to it and from it to the Lumin U2.  The SW-10 has two SFP cages to do this.  It also has a 10MHz clock output which will be used to clock the DI-20HE and it will replace the OCK-1 clock. 

For anyone who may think about using an Audio GD DI-20HE with their GAN 1 or VTV D300, I want to give a warning.  DO NOT power on the DI-20HE if the amp is already on.  Only power on the amp after the DI-20HE has powered on and completed its initialization. I don't know about the GAN 1 but on my VTV D300, the scream of a banshee will likely come screaming out of the speakers during initialization.  No music lover wants that type of noise and at that extreme level coming out of their speakers. 

BTW, I'm hearing these improvements on the Soul 6 speakers but I'm really hearing this on my Sennheiser IE900 IEMs. Yes, my 390W VTV D300 speaker amp is also used for powering highly sensitive in-ear monitors (with a converter box, of course). And it works very well. 

Darko's review of the GaN 1

https://youtu.be/qzF3oSjOIgA

mr_bill, what about the Lumin U1/U2 Mini don't you like?  I've tried a Lumin U1 Mini with LPS, U2, and D1 with LPS. All three have LEEDH volume processing and I think it works very with my VTV D300.  A used D1 may be the most economical way to get LEEDH digital volume control.  The Lumin streamers have volume range from 0 to 100 (whole numbers) so they offer fine tuning of the volume. This is especially important with sensitive speakers like my Zu Audio Soul 6's at lower volume. I've also tried the Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition streamer.  Although the sound was great with the Eversolo, the Eversolo's digital out range was 0 to 15 (whole numbers) and this did not allow for fine tuning of the volume at low levels. Anything above "4" was considered too loud to me. I sold the Eversolo. 

Regarding the ADC, I actually have a studio quality ADC sitting idle.  My Lumin D1 has an internal DAC (a very good one, BTW). I'm going to have to play with this DAC and the ADC to feed digital to the D300.  I'm curious to know how this would sound over D1 directly feeding digital to the D300.  

My Lumin D1 doesn't support Tidal Connect so I can't test Tidal Connect for you. However, the Lumin U1/U2 Mini do support it.  I've been using Roon happily with my D1. In addition to the 0-100 volume range, I also like the "Max Volume %" feature of the Lumin streamers.  One can set this to say "50", and then if one accidentally sets the normal volume to maximum, then the sound won't be as loud as without any limit. It's a safety feature.  And what's cool also is that the volume range is still 0-100 but now 100 represents 50% so granularity of control is not lost.

I'm currently using a TP link mesh router (1 of 3) to essentially provide wifi to my D1. I'm also thinking about getting a TP Link TL-WR802N "router" as the wifi device for the D1.  The TL-WR802N just needs to be put into "client" mode.  This router can possibly be powered by USB power from the device (don't quote me on this).  My D1 doesn't have USB out but U1/U2 Mini does.

yyzsantabarbara is right. A great front end can make a big difference.  Network switches and power conditioning also play a role. The best front end I've paired with the D300 consisted of a Lumin U2 streamer, LHY Audio SW-10 switch, Uptone EtherRegen switch, and an Audio GD DI-20HE USB to SPDIF DDC, all connected to a Shunyata Everest power distributor.  Fiber optics were used between switches and to the Lumin U2. All digital cables were Sablon Audio. It was elaborate but the sound was the best I've heard from the amp.  I also personally modded my D300 and yes, that made an audible difference for the better.  Note, although it sounds great, I would not recommend the Audio GD DDC with the Gan1 or D300. It has its quirks and in my opinion is not compatible.