Other than the Stereophile review the only negative thing I have read about this amp was a poster who did not care for it with his ML's and another poster who preferred a Parasound Halo.
Peachtree Nova300 Integrated--I disagree with Stereophile
First off, let me say that I like Stereophile. I like their reviews, testing and recommendations. I have five products they recommended: (1) PSB Imagine T2 loudspeakers, Class B review; (2) NAD M51 DAC, Class A+ review; and (3) Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated, Class A review; (4) Creek Evolution 100A Integrated, Class B review; and (5) KEF LS50 loudspeakers, Class A or A+ review.
This week Stereophile reviewed the new Peachtree nova300 integrated amplifier. While I think Art Dudley generally liked the product, his review was laden with references to a grainy treble characteristic. And, while I think another takeaway is he liked some of the bombast and definition of certain instruments (mainly orchestral) he was not in love with the amp.
Dudley’s review generated numerous, immediate comments from readers who indicated that he tested the unit with vintage horn speakers. One of the founders of Peachtree wrote the manufacture’s follow-up response; he noted the same thing. David Solomon I believe is his name.
I wanted to drop a quick note to everyone saying that I disagree--at least with my equipment, in my room, and with my music. Here’s what I can tell you.
I’m no pro reviewer, and I recognize we all have certain tastes and budgets. I bought my first copy of Stereophile in 1984 at 10 years old. My audio journey began in our family den in 1977 listening to my dad’s Wharfedale speakers, which he had my uncle buy him overseas during the Vietnam war. My tastes in music and equipment span the gamut...I cover a broad spectrum. If it moves me, I listen.
I’ll stop no, as I have nothing more to say but the nova is an amazing product and its value is first rate.
And finally, I think there’s genuine validity to the comments of folks and Solomon who ask, why would Stereophile/Dudley review the nova300 with only Altec Flemenco speakers from decades ago? Peachtree is an American company making its products in the US and Canada. The owners met with Dudley to explain their new philosophy, sourcing, production, etc. I think any product deserves to be paired with more than one model of connected equipment. Art, if you’re listening....
In any event, much of the Stereophile review just doesn’t matter to me. I have bigger fish to fry: The nova300 was supposed to be my summer amp...Is it challenging the Primaluna for first string year round? And no, I’m not kidding.
This week Stereophile reviewed the new Peachtree nova300 integrated amplifier. While I think Art Dudley generally liked the product, his review was laden with references to a grainy treble characteristic. And, while I think another takeaway is he liked some of the bombast and definition of certain instruments (mainly orchestral) he was not in love with the amp.
Dudley’s review generated numerous, immediate comments from readers who indicated that he tested the unit with vintage horn speakers. One of the founders of Peachtree wrote the manufacture’s follow-up response; he noted the same thing. David Solomon I believe is his name.
I wanted to drop a quick note to everyone saying that I disagree--at least with my equipment, in my room, and with my music. Here’s what I can tell you.
- Out of the box the nova300 ("nova") sounded just great. I thought the sound changed a bit for the better after an hour to 100 minutes of heavy use out of the box.
- I am experiencing none of the treble grain repeatedly cited in the article.
- I am running it exclusively with Bluesound/Tidal, using the Peachtree Sabre DAC (internal), and PSB Imagine T2s.
- The Peachtree has total control over the four drivers in my PSB Imagine T2s.
- Imaging is superb.
- I feel no stress or fatigue until I listen at ear splitting volumes. And I mean LOUD. I haven’t done a dB test but I can tell you were talking very loud.
- The 300-400w of power feeding my loudspeakers is effortless, clean and keeps little motif nuances (guitar licks, bass lines, etc) so present even when the arrangement gets busier.
- The nova is swapped in for the Primaluna integrated (referenced above). I have it outfitted with great NOS preamp tubes (Mullards and Ciftes) and Gold Lion KT88s in the power section. Also, I’m using the nova’s DAC, which is swapping out the NAD M51--no slouch, Stereophile Class A+ DAC.
I’m no pro reviewer, and I recognize we all have certain tastes and budgets. I bought my first copy of Stereophile in 1984 at 10 years old. My audio journey began in our family den in 1977 listening to my dad’s Wharfedale speakers, which he had my uncle buy him overseas during the Vietnam war. My tastes in music and equipment span the gamut...I cover a broad spectrum. If it moves me, I listen.
I’ll stop no, as I have nothing more to say but the nova is an amazing product and its value is first rate.
And finally, I think there’s genuine validity to the comments of folks and Solomon who ask, why would Stereophile/Dudley review the nova300 with only Altec Flemenco speakers from decades ago? Peachtree is an American company making its products in the US and Canada. The owners met with Dudley to explain their new philosophy, sourcing, production, etc. I think any product deserves to be paired with more than one model of connected equipment. Art, if you’re listening....
In any event, much of the Stereophile review just doesn’t matter to me. I have bigger fish to fry: The nova300 was supposed to be my summer amp...Is it challenging the Primaluna for first string year round? And no, I’m not kidding.