GaN amps: Peachtree or LSA Voyager?


Peachtree 400 and LSA Voyager GaN amps: Does anyone have direct experience with both of these amps? Can you comment on any differences that might exist in sound? I know the internals are supposed to be the same but even if that is true implementation can make a difference. Both are highly regarded by those who own them.

Might also be helpful if you listed the rest of your system (Pre and speakers).

My current system is: Bricasti M3 DAC; Rogue RP-7 (NOS) pre; Bel Canto Ref600M amps; Fyne F1-8 speakers.

Thanks in advance!

markmuse

@ron1264 Yes, I gave them a fair chance. And that was with a pair of Spatial X5, 97db with a self-powered woofer. Like I said the next step up in the AGD line supposedly solves that problem, but the price, if I recall, was double the cost of the Audion. Yes, I know the "tube" is the output stage and I applaud the ability to upgrade by replacing the "tube". I just think out is a bit pretentious. But that's just me. 

What speakers and preamp are you using with them?

@ricevs AGD has never tried to pass this on as a "Vacuum Tube" or "valve", they have called it a "GaNTube" and it is a real GaNtube. The new stereo amp is a totally new platform, not the same even thought the output is still interchangable.

@markmuse I’m using the AGD Andante as the preamp/DAC and have Persona 3F speakers.

@twoleftears Ha! I have Rowlands. Well, sold one 535, still have the other. Had a Model 2 for years. And a Synergy pre. Jeff has pulled all his D's off the market. I don't know if he is rethinking his involvement with class D or getting ready to do the latest D tech. 

Unless you like load dependent frequency response like the old Tripath class d amps from 20 years ago, I would avoid the Peachtree or LSA Voyager modules like the plague. Old class d designs with the latest flavor of the month, GaN. Too bad they use too low of a switching frequency to exploit the real advantages of the GaN devices.

Orchard on the other hand has a state of the art design and while they still don't use a switching frequency high enough to really get the benefits from the GaN devices at least they use a proper circuit and don't have a load dependent frequency response.

There is also Purifi which is the current state of the art. They don't use the GaN devices because, well, they see no need- they have a very clever design which produces an amp with stellar performance, both measured, and, if all the reviews and customer opinions are to be believed, has great subject performance as well.

Look into Purifi and Orchard. There was a review of Orchard's amp in the latest AudioExpress I believe.