Why No Love For Peachtree Audio?


I am running a Peachtree Audio Grand Integrated X-1 (Class D 440W at 8 ohms) amp through Joseph Audio Profile floorstanding speakers.  I realize that this is not "high end" but it sounds pretty darn good and the connectivity of this amp can't be beat.  It has inputs for usb, toslink optical, coax digital and rca plugs. There is a home theater by-pass (though I only run it as a two-channel set up) and other common goodies. The DAC, while maybe not state of the art, is as good as many others touted on this forum.  I use this set up in the living room as our all-around stereo for music and tv (not a dedicated listening room) and it suits that purpose quite well. The original MAP at over $4k was optimistic, but a good used one can be picked up for well under $2k. At that price it is a bargain.

Why are there no good words for Peachtree Audio products on this forum.  It almost seems like that brand is held in disdain here.  What's up with that?
larstusor
I have a roughly three-year-old Nova 150 that I like because of the variety of connections, the onboard DAC and MM phono and the fact that it doesn't suck up a huge amount of power and stays pretty cool even when pushed. I had an issue with the Nova where it had to be sent in for a repair and Peachtree's customer service was awesome and they were quick to turn it around. The weird thing is, I'm getting kind of tired of the shape as I'd now rather have a traditional rectangular box component.

My rig is in a spare 13 x 11 spare bedroom which is a combination music room, office and hobby space. Connected to my Nova is a U-Turn Orbit turntable with Ortofon red cartridge, an Audioengine B1 Bluetooth receiver that my iPad connects with to stream SiriusXM and Spotify, Music Hall 15.3 CD player/DAC, Elac Debut B6.2 speakers on shot-filled Pangea stands with Audioquest type-4 speaker cables and an Elac Debut Sub3010.

For a very difficult space with light room treatments, the sound is really good. I have changed out the speakers a number of times over the past three years. I started with Monitor Audio Bronze 2's (in hindsight they were too bright) then MA Bronze 5 floorstanders (too much for the room); then KEF Q100's (not enough low end for me) and finally the Elac Debut B6.2's. I had tried a stereo pair of REL T/5i subs (but could never get rid of a hum) which I replaced with the Elac Sub3010. I like the sound of the Elac 6.2's with the Nova way better than any of the other speakers.

Prior to the above rig, I had gotten back into audio with the Music Hall 15.3 CD player/DAC, a laptop for streaming and Audioengine A5+ speakers. The Audioengine's were outstanding speakers for the money and had way more punch than their small'ish size should have had. I've been contemplating ditching the Nova and current Elac's and going with a higher-end preamp with integrated DAC and phono stage along with powered speakers.

I'm also anxiously waiting for Peachtree to release their WiFi module along with the possibility of another trade-in program. If/when that happens I'd consider upgrading to a Nova 300 or 500 with WiFi (the 500 is fully-balanced and has a better DAC than the 150 and 300) and living with the shape.

The Nova's are very good at what they do and for the money they are a pretty good buy.



Why No Love For Peachtree Audio?


I know your looking for more and this is not a reason, but even the Australian importer didn't get off on them.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/class-d-is-just-dandy/post?postid=1881156#1881156

Cheers George
I’ve owned a Nova 220 power amp for almost 8 years driving a pair of Maggie 3.6’s very well. Bass is deep (for Maggie’s) totally rich and punchy. Midrange is smooth and rich with good detail. Highs might be a little rolled off (more than likely my hearing at my advanced years). Throws a wide stage with good image placement and decent depth. Overall an excellent product.

Before the 220 I used an original Nova integrated which had a lot of features but the 220 has a much better amp section imo. Overall I’ve found Peachtree products to be reliable products that perform very well for a reasonable price.
I just got Nova 150 to replace a dead simaudio integrated and so far absolutely loving it! Loverly warm sound - definitely not the sound I would have associated with class D amp a few years ago! ... Plenty of power, good dac... the only nit pick - I wish tape loop was actually volume controlled ... except for that - nothing more I would want from it...
For those of you that have /had a Peachtree Nova 300, any recommendations on good speaker pairings?