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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

Showing 4 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I owned a Grand Integrated X-1 and it was a beast.  The tube buffer was a bit hokey, it didn't seem to do much, but it was a good looking unit that sounded great and had tons of power. 

I currently have a Peachtree 300 in my office system.  It has a really good DAC and a decent phono stage and headphone amp, doesn't take up much space, and I like the looks.  I did struggle with its sound for a long time, it always seemed a little rolled off on the top end and didn't give me quite the detail I would have liked until I mated it up with Focal Electra 1008 BE speakers.  That seems to be a really good match and I spend more time listening to that system than any other, although it's usually at fairly low volume as background music.  If I find myself working late and want to rock out at the end of the day, it'll do the job just fine.
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I didn't use the tube buffer when I had the Grand X-1 and the Nova 300 did away with the tube buffer. 
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
Some of the comments about being shrill, bright, and lean in the bass are a little surprising.  I though the Grand X-1 leaned a little on the bright side, but I wouldn't have called it shrill or offensive.  The Peachtree Nova 300 was actually a little "flat" sounding (rolled off on top) to my ears, until I paired it with my Focal Electra 1008 BE speakers. 

I'm listening to Christian McBride's new album on Qobuz and it sounds full bodied, McBride's bass is strong and tight, the trumpets and vocals aren't edgy... in short, it sounds really good.  I use a subwoofer with this system, but I turned it off and the bass sounds good without it. 

I wonder if the older models were voiced differently or if they are really sensitive to speaker pairing?  I liked the Nova 300 with other speakers, but it was just a little "blah".  Sound quality and wow factor are not in the same league as my main system, but for what this system cost, it delivers a lot of value. 

Other integrateds I own are a Vincent 237 and an ARC VSi55, both of which I think sound better than the Peachtree, but not dramatically better.  What's nice about the Peachtree is that if you really want to go minimalist, it has a really good DAC and phono stage, both of which are extra components I have to add to the Vincent and ARC.
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
There's are review of the Grand X-1 integrated on 6moons that I think is pretty spot on.  It gives some comparisons to other pieces to give you an idea of where it shines and where it could be better.

Like you, the biggest "minus" of the Peachtree gear is that it's a little rolled off on top.  However, with the right speaker match, it can sound really good.  

Both my ARC VSi55 and Vincent SV 237 have a little more "bite" in the midrange and a little more detail in the treble.  These things are noticeable after extended listening, they don't jump out at you.
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