Peachtree GaN 1 Beta

Some of that was over my head, but I have people who can explain it to me. Thank you.

@thespeakerdude, "over my head" is the understatement of the year in my case!  I am nothing more than an end user and music listener.  I'll listen to music playing from my iPhone stuffed in my front jacket pocket while hiking up a hill, as well as in my living room from an integrated amp/receiver to my main speakers.  I do like quality sound, but music is the priority over equipment.

The Peachtree (and I am a Peachtree enthusiast going on four years) GaN 1 sounds fantastic with my Tekton speakers.  Really like the auto-off after 15 minutes or so.  The amp gets only slightly warm over extended playing, and that is another great feature!  I also have a Marantz CD player, acting as a transport connected to the Bluesound Node, though rarely use it.

All in all, the GaN 1 is exactly what I was looking for.  Love it!

@kitsap2  I agree with your review. I have the Tekton Perfect Set Speakers. If you get an IEC adapter for the Node and use a better cord you will improve the sound quite a bit. I also put a better cord on the amp another jump in sound quality. Watching the game last night the orchestra sounded wonderful!

Happy listening, dolfan

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.

@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. 

@jerryg123 good for you. You must be better and smarter than all of us. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful insights. 

Sigh.

@donnylovely no offense. You are a bit fragile. 

It's rude gate keepers like you 3 that keep people from wanting to participate in the hobby. Why can't you just be decent and inviting people instead of being a know it all and ragging things just because you think they are below you. 

I'm quite interested in GaN 1.

FWIW, I read Ralph's (atmasphere) comments as constructive to learning. In fact over the years I learnt a lot from his posts. For example, his posts helped me understand things about single ended triodes and how to use them with excellent results, despite him not building/selling SETs. 

Back to GaN 1: I see comments talking highly about its midrange. How is the bass? 

Looking to read more from folks who share the experience with it!

@lewinskih01 - I find the bass excellent but with the caveat that I'm not an audiophile.  I have normal hearing (always passed my annual flight physical aural tests with flying (no pun intended) colors).  As with most recordings, the mastering is key.  My speakers have eight inch transducers (not my naming of them, but the manufacturer) and some recordings have thundering bass, while other recordings have less but well detailed.

I'm just returning home from overseas for 4 months, and am looking forward to listening to my GaN 1, Bluesound Node, and Tekton speakers as soon as I get over the time zone difference.

Got my Gan1 and Node a week ago but only hooked it up yesterday.  Even without adequate burn-in, initial impressions are very favorable.  I've been listening to RP mellow mix, Stockholm Jazz Quartet and Melody Gardot - and all at low volume.  A real pleasure.  Clarity and precision without fatigue.  The word that comes to my mind is "delicious".  I find I want more.  I'll listen to a greater range of music in the next few weeks at more volume and report back.  I've also ordered a PD interface and Jay's Audio lps for the Bluesound Node.  I expect SQ will get better.  So far I'm a happy camper.

@kitsap2 thanks for the feedback. For my reference, which amp are you comparing the GaN1 bass with?

@lewinskih01 I can't give you a fair answer due to a subwoofer I had used with the previous amp and the Tektons.  When I switched out the previous amp (Nova150), I ditched my subwoofer and went with just the Tektons.

I do augment the Tektons, at times, with boosts to bass at lower listening levels, like a "loudness" switch.  When I do that, I'm using Airplay2 to send music from the computer to the Node→GaN1→Tektons.

@ricevs any updates on your mods or what you thought of the gan 1 since you've got it? 

Had to buy a router then the IFI Zenstream.....which I could not get working with my old Iphone 4S (it's a wonder it still works at all). So, bought an Iphone 11 and got it today and now the software works and I can start setting up the stereo. I should start listening by Monday and by the end of the week should have most mods done. Meanwhile I am working on my DIY speakers page on my website which should show itself maybe tomorrow night and then many updates all next week.

I will be making my own linear power supply for the Zenstream, as well.

My GaN1 + Node arrived.   Been playing about 4 hours, letting them run in.

It’s my 1st time using the Node.   The BluOS app is hideous.   Surely there’s a better alternative?

@singintheblues 

I use my laptop. The download is on the BS website

Thanks @evank .   I’ve not used a laptop for years.   Just an iPad.  
 

I find the BluOS app very poor.   Is there a better alternative for iPhone/iPad?

@singintheblues

Soon

BluOS™ Announces 4.0 Mobile Application Update – BluOS

By the way I still feel the desktop app is nicer designed

Thanks again @evank .   Available in spring.   

@singintheblues

There must be something simple that you haven’t quite got the handle on yet. I say this because many consider the BluOS app one of the best apps out there.

Hi @jetter 

A few things, but the main issues :

- I use Spotify.  I hit Music Services & I see Spotify in the list & click on it.
I get a banner Install Spotify.   Hit it, it just takes me to Spotify on my iPad.
It doesn’t install it on the Node.
So I’m just playing on my iPad & casting over wireless.
And each time I want Spotify, it’s the same process.   It’s not saving.

- All my ripped CDs are on my NAS.   When I go to Library, I have to type the network address of the NAS (which I don’t know).   Apps that were round 10 years ago would search the network.

I admit I’m an IT dummy, but I find plenty of apps user friendly & intuitive, which I’m not finding this to be.

@singintheblues not sure why you could not go with and Streaming DAC with volume control for this setup. This entire setup seems very cheap and using the BuleSound Node only confirms this to me. May sound good but such an entry level digital front end…

When Ricevs competes the mods on the GAN1 I will have it up against some really severe competition.

• CODA #16 | Benchmark LA4 preamp | Audience AU24SX speaker cable | RAAL SR1a earphone | Lumin X1 with streamer built-in OR Musetec 005 DAC with Sonore OpticalRendu streamer OR Benchmark DAC3B with Sonore OpticalRendu streamer
• GAN1 + Lumin X1 SPDIF | Audience AU24SX speaker cable | RAAL SR1a earphone

The quality of USB stream between the X1 and the Sonore OpticalRendu is almost identical. When I first got the GAN1 I was using the Sonore OpticalRendu + Sonore UltraDigital ($500) to get SPDIF. I thought it was very good, however, feel the Lumin X1 SPDIF stream sounds better, it is simpler.

I think this is a very good apples-to-apples comparison, The CODA #16 is a great amp.

@singingtheblues  Hope this helps, but you don't actually "install" Spotify, you log into it from the BlueOS app.

After selecting Spotify you do press/select "Install The Spotify App".  On the next screen, you select the small, three horizontal lines in the very upper right of that window,next to "Open App", to which you'll then be able to log into Spotify with your Spotify credentials.

Thanks @kitsap2 I'll have another look when I get back home.  I’m working overseas at the moment & get home every other weekend, so it will be 2 weeks.

I’m sure I didn’t see that option, but I’ll look again.  It could be an Apple restriction.  I know they purposely make life difficult for Spotify.

@singintheblues:  for what it's worth, I use a Macbook Air as my main computer, and iPhone for mobile use.  I guess I'm just used to the BlueOS apps and hardware and think they work pretty well for the most part.  I do notice that the app for MacOS needs to be shut down and relaunched in order to update what's playing info, but this has no affect on the playback, or what's be listened to at the moment.

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

Will Zen Stream control volume?

Yes, and Yes.  Just tested that very combo tonight on the bench....played it through and old 15 inch woof to make sure it worked.  Tomorrow I finish the custom power supply for the IFI and fire up the stereo and let er rip.

For those interested in bi-amping using the GaN 1 and VTV digital amps and also making your own speakers......I just put up a page on my website to talk about all this and explain how to make your own speakers, etc.  

http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Speaker_building_info.html

The info is preliminary.

Way, way more information and pics coming.....every day I will be adding more info.

Has anybody used the GaN1 to drive Magnepan 1.7 or 3.7 speakers?  I have the GaN 400 and didn't think it was a great match with the 3.7's, especially compared to PS Audio BHK 300 monoblocks.

Did the first mod to the Peachtree.....OMG.....never heard such an improvement from just upgrading the AC power.  Three more mods to try....should have it wrapped up by this weekend some time.

The VTV D300 has more power and should be better for maggies....VTV will be shipping again in 2 months.

@ricevs  What did you do to upgrade the power?

Nice, that is my amp that the mods are going into. Looking forward to getting this amp back.

Initially, I will be streaming from a Lumin X1 SPDIF into the GAN1.

@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?

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?

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. 

mr_bill

Yes, the mods should be done by this weekend and will be shown on my website. Yes, I have a VTV D300 here and will be doing the same mods to it. The more powerful module in the VTV amp would work better on Maggies.....but if you do not listen that loud then the GaN 1 might work fine.

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

Link

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.

The GaN 1 only has coax input. So if you have a source that has usb only then you need a digital to digital converter to change it to coax. Your source would need volume control. You can use the volume control in a lot of programs like Roon, etc. Most computers do not have a coax out....so if using a computer or Ipad then you need a DtoD converter to get it to coax to drive the Gan1.  The Hifi Rose streamer has usb input and coax output (volume controlled)....but then why would you want a computer if you are using this streamer?

The GaN1 is the DAC.....it changes PCM directly to PWM (class D analog switching). A normal DAC is not needed. Less is more. Basically, a digital amp is a power DAC.....a DAC that can drive your speakers. A regular DAC changes PCM to a low level analog signal but then it needs to be amped up by an amp to drive the speaker.

Most A2D’s do not have a digital volume control. You would still need to run the converter into a streamer that has volume control.

@ricevs have you delivered the modified unit back to the customer? You keep describing the GAN1 as Class D analog switching. I do not think that is correct. Class D and PWM are not the same.

Dude,

You are wrong.  Class D almost always uses PWM.   Please read this article and get informed:

Doing one more mod to the amp here and then will return it to the owner.  All info will be on my website by the end of the week.  

What are some of the more popular combos possible with that amp and it’s digital coax input  I wonder?