Affordable GaN FET amp from Peachtree Audio


Peachtree Audio is offering a Beta Test program for their new GaN 1 amp (not to be confused with their GaN400) and it's being offered at a substantial discount ($1299 instead of $1999) just for being part of the Beta Test group. It has only one digital coax input and that's it. 200 Watts/channel, zero feedback, and no DAC since the GaN FETs handle that.

All the best,
Nonoise

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Yes, it only has one input, but, as they state in the description, you can always use the many inputs of the Bluesound or a similar device. I posted this as there's been lots of discussions of folk who's only interest is in streaming or CD playback and those who'd like to experience the sound of a GaN FET amp without the steep price of entry. Then, there's the purists who would like to forego the use of a DAC and hear the signal as intended (just amplified).

All the best,
Nonoise

I'm very intrigued and did sign up.  I'll be able to use my Rose 150B and easily switch between the GaN 1 (DAC less) and the XLR outs (via 9038 Pro).  I have several Class D amps (nCore, Purifi, Mini GaN5) that I can eval.

All my music listening in now streaming, so this should be a fun endeavor... 

 

 

This is interesting. Thanks for bringing it up!

Does anybody know how these GaN amps behave in terms of distortion vs power? I recall Hypex UcD and Ncores kept distortion very low up to about 50% of nominal power and then increased rapidly until nominal. So I tend to think an Ncore 400 or my UcD400 should be used up to 200W. I wonder if 200W GaN should be used up to 100W to keep distortion very low?

I'm considering a GaN amp in my active system (SET top end, class A/B midrange, UcD midbass) and this would be an interesting option taking s/pdif from the soundcard and bypassing the DAC stage. Further digging on how clocking might affect this stage differently from the paths converted to analog.

Fun times!