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.

__________________________________________________________________

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
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

I have finally A/Bed the modded GaN 1 with the modded VTV D300......at first it was not close.....the VTV slaughtered the GaN 1.......but the GaN 1 needed burn in......it kept getting better and better......but today still sounded somewhat 2D and not quite real and micro detailed compared to the VTV.......I had done some new things to the VTV that I had not done to the GaN 1.....and it has a different power supply and a different input jack.......well, I discovered tonight what it mostly was and it is a very simple mod that I had done to the VTV......NOW, the modded GaN 1 is very close to the modded VTV. If you are one of those that has my modded GaN 1 and you have a little mechanical skill (very little).....I can walk you through doing the mod yourself (I will send you a pic)......you will be blown away with the difference.

Please don’t ask me what the difference is between a stock GaN 1 and a stock VTV D300......I only heard a stock GaN 1 a long time ago (and did not like it at all) and never listened to the VTV before I modded it. The GaN 1 lists for $2000 and the VTV lists for $1500 with free shipping and more power.......so, that one makes sense to me.....but the mod on the VTV is $175 more (I change the input jack to a WBT Nextgen and also add 15lbs. of weight inside the chassis on the VTV amp). I might be able to add some weight inside the GaN 1, as well...TBD. Right now I listen to the GaN 1 with 10lbs. of damped weight on top of the amp. It is best to have the weight on the bottom inside as it damps the bottom panel where the amp module and power supply are mounted. These amps are light so they do not couple to audiophile feet very well without added mass. I use the Mad Scientist best footers along with two different types of hardwood (maple on top of bamboo) and an inner tube with very little air so the whole shebang bounces at under 10hz.  These modded digital amps are really transparent!......so simple.....no DAC, no preamp, no analog interconnects, no feedback......very, very little sonic distortion......and you can get an inexpensive Minidsp xover and use two of these amps and make a two way biamped, equalized, room corrected, time aligned super speaker for very little money....way cool!

Post removed 
donnylovely
105 posts
 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0401/9490/0118/files/GaN_1_Review_by_Charles_Umberger.pdf?v=1679341369

 

Good review

yyzsantabarbara
4,810 posts
 

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.

 

mr_bill
347 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?

 

More to discover