2. amps-preamps
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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
ricevs
1,474 posts
 

Just like any component, the GaN 1 needs to be tuned up. The feet and platform underneath the amp will make a tremendous difference. Adding damped weight on top could help (footer dependent). The choice of power cord can make all the difference in the world.....same with the choice of digital coax cable. Read what Audio Bacon says about different audio cables (especially coax cables). You really need to get your whole system off the grid using the Giandel 5000 pure sine wave watt inverter......you only need a single 100 amp hour LifePo4 battery with a GaN 1 (it idles at 18 watts). You will hear a whole nuther level of detail when you put a great inverter on your system (and your system will always sound the same....not better at night or whenever you turn something off).....and another jump comes from a great line filter like the Puritan when used after the inverter and also using a dedicated ground rod for your stereo and ground filtering is another step up. The GaN1 and VTV D300 (more power and possibly more grunt....will be testing the modded VTV D300 soon)....are so inexpensive you can use the money saved to really tweak your system.

yyzsantabarbara
4,526 posts
 

I forgot to mention that the AHB2 was better at low volume than the GAN1. Though now that I have the RAAL gear I do not listen at low volume while the family sleeps. Now, It is hard rocking all the time. :)

The Lumin X1 direct to amp, is almost as good as the Benchmark LA4 preamp and AHB2 monos at low volume. That Leedh volume is great. The only deficiency is that at very low volume it does not scale up in a constant intervals, like the LA4 preamp. That is nit picking though.

@ricevs I sure hope you didn't charge yyz for your mods.  Especially after his advertising...

I am setting up a GoFundMe on my behalf. I will post the link shortly.

mbolek
164 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara  I should have the Maria next week.   I'm very lucky to be so close to John at Lone Crow.  BTW, he is a great guy.

After to talking with Mark for almost an hour, these 200/800s are very interesting devices.

I'll PM you with more details, no need to put this out to all the gasbags...

yyzsantabarbara
4,526 posts
 

Can anyone tell me what my implementation options are for adding my KEF KC62 sub with the GAN1?

I am putting together a list of items that I am going to advertise to sell tomorrow. I am wondering whether to keep the fine sounding KEF KC62 or sell it. I plan on buying a bucket list speaker to replace the LS50 Meta in my office (with more bass), the Yamaha NS3000. The NS5000 is actually the bucket list speaker but it is way too powerful for my office, so the NS3000 will have to fill in. A sub is not essential with the NS3000.

My strong impression of the GAN1 + Lumin X1 has given me the confidence to sell the following gear,

  • Benchmark AHB2 x 2 (monos)
  • Audience FrontRow speaker cable with SpeakON at amp end and banana at speaker end, 44 inches long. Perfect for the AHB2’s. Too short for the stereo GAN1. Can be re-terminated by Audience.
  • Benchmark LA4 (50% chance I buy this again)
  • Benchmark DAC3B
  • KEF LS50 Meta
  • KEF KC62 sub (I would like to keep this if I can integrate it with the GAN1)
  • Sonore OpticalRendu

I am also considering the KEF Reference 1 meta and non-meta. The KEF can be bought in the USA while the NS3000 seems to be available only from Canada.

mr_bill
346 posts
 

Other than using the high level speaker inputs like REL not sure what else you’d do.

How are you going to use a tuner with Gan1?  A2D converter?

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