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
viethluu's avatar
viethluu
89 posts
 

Too much hype has been created around this amp haha. I have known several people who are selling it for cheap after buying into the hype. 

jeffstrick's avatar
jeffstrick
176 posts
 

There are plenty of well executed GaN amplifiers on the market, AGD, Atma-Sphere, Peachtree, Gold Note to name a few. The issue is the use of a Node for a preamp. 

art_boston
45 posts
 

I'll wait for Technics to provide an integrated like their SU-G700 with more power, say 200W. I had that integrated but just lacked power for my Acoustats. Excellent however with their SB-C600 speakers.

 

Laptop with JRiver and USB is all I'll need to feed it. I do not believe in streaming, so can forgo all the associated nonsense.

 

Yes, I am aware that the high end Technics amp is only 150W. I can still wait and hope. No way Technics can sit on the 70W spec in the near future.

yyzsantabarbara
4,526 posts
 

@viethluu Get it modded by Ric and then decide if the hype is real, ha ha. This modded amp is amazing.

I just bought an amp stand (with wheels) for my CODA #16. That arrives soon. Once it does, I will be doing head-to-head comparisons with the following:

  • Lumin X1 SPDIF stream out (fibre in) | modded PeachTree GAN1
  • Lumin X1 analog out (fibre in) | Benchmark LA4 preamp | CODA #16

I will be using a KEF LS50 Meta until I sell some speaker cables, then the LS50 will be replaced by the KEF Reference 1 Meta (or maybe Magico A1)

At this point I am not sure which setup will be preferred. That is how good the GAN1 sounds in my office system. Now my speakers are not big, and the room is small so maybe the GAN1 is benefiting from that.

When I get the KEF Blade 2 Meta in the Fall for a bigger room, I am going to try the GAN1 on it to see if it can hang with the CODA system. That is the CODA systems intended purpose. I am very happy to sell more gear and save money if it makes sense sonically.

BTW - the speaker cables I am selling are Audience FrontRow long enough only for monoblocks. I am selling them because they are too short for the GAN1. I sold one of my 2 Benchmark AHB2’s because the modded GAN1 was better. The cables were used with the 2 AHB2’s.

BTW2 - the new speaker purchase is the result of the GAN1 not easily incorporating my now sold KEF KC62 sub. The LS50 Meta + KC62 sub are great but the sub failed a few times on me and the GAN1 sounds too good to not use, so out went the KC62. The next speaker will negate the need for a sub in my small room.

sirnui
81 posts
 

The Lumin U2 is an excellent streamer.  I'm very happy with the purchase.  The RCA SPDIF output is good but the USB output with my two DDCs is special.  Currently, The U2's USB output feeds an Ideon Audio 3R Master Time which feeds an Audio GD DI-20HE.  USB cables are Zavfino Majestic and Sablon EVO.  SPDIF cable is current generation Sablon with Bocchino Paladium RCAs.  The DI-20HE is signal grounded with its external clock (LHY Audio OCK-1) to a Puritan Audio Routemaster Signal Ground Unification System.  The clock canle is current gen Sablon  

For the network, it's currently TP Link mesh router > Uptone EtherRegen > Sonore opticalModule connected by fiber to the Lumin U2. 

This is very elaborate, I know, but the sound is very addictive to say the least.  The Lumin U2 replaces a Lumin U1 mini with LHY LPS conversion. The U2 has brought an ease to the sound. In other words, my already low listener fatigue was made even lower. The second thing it has brought is ... information.  That's a weird word to describe music but I think it summarizes very well what I'm hearing because I'm literally hearing more information. I'm hearing more of the details contained in the music.  For example, there is airiness but it's dense.  That's an oxymoron so let me try to explain.  When the bass hits, it feels heavier and fuller, and yet it's very articulate, detailed, and ... airy... the reverb of the bass hit lingers just ever so slightly longer to create a better sense of the air.  It's this type of information  I'm hearing and the great news is, it's not limited to the bass.

I have not described the power side of my system which is just as elaborate but I will save this for another night. 

I have an LHY Audio SW-10 switch coming any day now.  I plan to replace the opticalModule with the SW-10 and send fiber both to it and from it to the Lumin U2.  The SW-10 has two SFP cages to do this.  It also has a 10MHz clock output which will be used to clock the DI-20HE and it will replace the OCK-1 clock. 

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