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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
mrjessebennett's avatar
mrjessebennett
2 posts
 

I did not do a true A/B, although I should sometime…

I only do streaming so HEOS with TIDAL in the living room on the Marantz 40n and I use it with Zu Dirty Weekends and a KEF KC62 Sub, sounds warmer, fuller and has more depth to me and the top end is less harsh.

I use the Blusound Node and TIDAL with the GaN 1 and the open baffles and I feel like I need a sub… but it sounds more detailed, not that the Marantz isn’t detailed, the GaN 1 is just super crisp sounding.  I did try both speakers with the Marantz before I got the sub and liked the Zu’s look in my living room, as well as the sound and they are less sensitive to place but it has been a while since comparing the two.

rickallen81
65 posts
 

I just received my beta tester Friday and gave it a good 12 hours of use over the weekend.  

My equipment includes Spatial M3 Triode Master speakers (16 ohm open baffle) and comparison amp is the Linear Tube Audio Ultralinear Integrated (20w per channel) run from a Bluesound Node 2i via the MHDT Orchid tube DAC.

I was intrigued by the simplicity of the GAN1 setup and was curious what a GAN amp might bring to the party so I put my money down back in May with a promise of June delivery haha.  So nearly October is what finally happened.  

I got everything set up and plugged in and started up.  My speakers are 95db sensitive and I could hear the slightest introduction of a high frequency noise when the GAN1 came on.  Not intrusive, but there.  

I started running it through some tests to see how it handled different genres.  Classical is one I find to be a pretty good test since it has to reproduce a huge amount of recorded sound, make it come across as unified as well as illustrate individual instruments without sounding constrained.  The GAN1 did seriously well.  The "full tilt" of an orchestra was there when called upon with some serious gusto.  The soundstage is also noticeably deeper and more expansive than the LTA which is somewhat expected given the quietness of the GAN vs tubes, even transformerless tubes.  The texture on the LTA is better, but requires higher volumes to be achieved on the same content.  The GAN projected some really cool and realistic tones for piano and upright bass which sounded like they were in the room, not just on a recording, by bringing more space and bass definition.  The whole spectrum, though, was nicely done.  No harsh highs, no apparent lack anywhere.  In fact, the highs were beautifully done for my ears, which typically are sensitive to harshness and fatigue.  I never got any from the GAN after a long weekend of listening.

Then I switched to my wife's favorite, EDM.  In order to play house party levels on the LTA, I really have to crank it.  Not so on the GAN.  25% volume on Spotify connect played the whole house convincingly with everything carrying through.  I initially had a sub going, but turned it off to compare and at that 25% volume, it was not needed.  The two 15" woofers of the Spatials were thumping beautifully.  Even after a particularly spirited three hours of dynamic material, I couldn't detect so much as a degree of temperature change coming off the amp.

High points: Spatial expansiveness and sound field depth, bass definition, realism, quietness of the amp, ability to hit party levels without distortion or strain.

Low points: Digital volume control via the Bluesound could use more gradation.  The difference between 0 and 1 is the same as the difference between 0 and 25 on the LTA out of 100 steps.  Pairing with Bluetooth rather than Spotify connect helped dial in lower volumes though. Perhaps a Cambridge CXN would do better here, but my speakers' sensitivity is likely to blame.

tapp
10 posts
 

@rickallen81 Great detailed review thanks!  There are a few folks on A'gon that hate on Peachtree, but I have really enjoyed my Gan400 powering KEF LS50 Meta's.  Very similar to what you describe is what I get from the gan amp.  Of course I can't get the low's your Spatials get, that's what my 2 SVS subs are for.

rickallen81
65 posts
 

@tapp Yeah, I've seen some non-love for them.  I've had one of their integrated amps (Decco65 if I recall)  in years past and paired with my speakers of that era (Zu Omen) and my complaint with the Peachtree of yore was that bass and lower midrange were sorely missing but very smooth treble and dimensionality.  By the performance so far, it seems like they have addressed those two things.

Do they have a character or sound signature? Not really.  I think that's their goal with this amp, though, neutrality.  If that's the goal, this amp is a success. Does it cost a lot to get to that goal? In this case, no, so it's a really good value at that.  For a LOT of people, this amp is enough.  As of now, if I could temper my expectations (a tall order for any self-described audiophile) I could absolutely be happy with this amp.  Maybe not with the Bluesound as the front, but the technology of the amp design is really really good and provides a lot of listening satisfaction.  Do you *need* anything else? We're always chasing it and will probably continue because that's the nature of this hobby 😁

chrisld
12 posts
 
PeachTree GaN1 received yesterday. I takes in digital and sends it in digital to the speakers like the TacT Millennium did. First I used JRiver on a laptop to attenuate the volume digitally and sample to 192kHz, then pass signal to the Singxer SU-6 DDC to remove jitter, then on to the GaN1. The sound is incredibly transparent, squeaky clean and with no blurring at all, no matter what volume. However, it didn’t sound quite right and I didn’t enjoy the music.
 
Next I used the iFi Zen Stream (running from linear PSU) direct to the GaN1 and the Stream-iFi app to control the volume. The sound is stunning. It is so transparent, dynamic and enjoyable that it beats my much more expensive system. My class AB amps have a higher power rating, but you would never know it from the way the GaN1 sounds. The control is that good. I wonder what the damping factor is.
 
The GaN1 is revolutionary because it replaces a top DAC ($5k), DDC ($1k), preamp ($3k) and power amps ($4k) for a price which is similar to what I paid for just the interconnects alone the prior system ($2k). When you add up the numbers, this $2k unit is outperforming $15k of top rated gear. The simplicity of the GaN1 is key here. I am in awe.
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