Affordable GaN FET amp from Peachtree Audio

Using the Bluesound or DAC for volume control usually leads to bit stripping.  Some DAC  have a good volume control.  I don't remember what kind that is or what brand DAC has these.

@musicfan2349 

If you use the digital output of the Bluesound Node, you ARE using it's internal DAC. The only way to not use it is to use the analog outputs, which there are not analog inputs on the Peachtree amp. So the question remains, if I use the digital output of my Lumin streamer into this amp, what device is doing the digital to analog conversion? No DAC needed according to the OP, but I'm having a hard time figuring that one out.

daledeee1

329 posts

04-22-2022 at 10:09am 

Using the Bluesound or DAC for volume control usually leads to bit stripping.  Some DAC  have a good volume control.  I don't remember what kind that is or what brand DAC has these.

All Lumin streamers have LEEDH processing built into the app. It is a very high quality volume control that does not degrade the SQ.

Nice but not a functional fit in my case.  Need to have a phono.  Otherwise….

@barts ,

It’s over my head as well but here’s this from their site:

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 so 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 even 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 a new one as similar devices often referred to as "Power DACs" made quite a splash in our industry years ago, but this time around, using the concept with GaN-FETs raises the bar to an entirely new level.

 

There’s also this from Twittermachines on the Technics SU-R1000 (which uses GaN FETS:

It’s also worth pointing out that there’s no DAC, no digital to analog conversion, taking place inside the SU-R1000. Incoming digital signals are upsampled (to 32-bit/768kHz), sent through a 1-bit Delta-Sigma converter, followed by another stage, the PWM converter, which forms a so-called “ternary” (2-bit) signal out of the 1.5MHz 1-bit signal. So each transistor only has to handle a switching speed of 768kHz/1-bit which is easier to handle in terms of the natural response time of a GaN-FET. I include this information knowing full well that few people will really understand it, yours truly included, so let’s just say that digital remains digital right up to the speaker binding posts.

I read somewhere that Wadia did a similar thing all those years ago but was stymied by the limits of the output devices they had then. It’s still over my head but I can definitely hear the results with my Technics SU-G700. I still prefer going analog in from my SACD player but it’s a close enough call to make me know that a better coax cable can level the playing field, or, maybe not.

All the best,
Nonoise