2. amps-preamps
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Peachtree GaN 1 Beta

Before I start my post here is my current system for reference:

Auarlic Aries G1 --> Denafrips Terminator or SW1X DAC --> Audio GD HE1 XLR preamp or Sachs preamp --> various tube amps --> Cube Nenuphar Mini's w/ a pair of REL S510 subs. Cables and power conditioning commensurate with the rest of the system.

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As warmer months approach I have been looking for a cool running amp to replace my Line Magnetic LM-518 and other tube amps for a few months as they run pretty hot.

I've been interested in the GaN FET amps and just purchased a used LSA Voyager 350 Gan FET amp which I should receive in a few days. I've tried class D amps before and while they checked a lot of boxes I just didn't feel drawn in. However, I like to explore so I figured I'd try the GanFET and since the amp has zero feedback and my speakers seem to prefer amps with little or no feedback I figured it be worth checking out.

Today, Peachtree Audio sent out an email inviting users to a beta of their new Gan 1 amp. Here are some excerpts from their email:

 

What is the GaN 1?

In basic terms it is a 200 Watts-Per-Channel (WPC) Power Amplifier designed to be the sole interface between your digital audio device with a variable output, like a Bluesound NODE, and your speakers. The GaN 1 is a simple, pure and cost-effective audio solution: connect the GaN 1 to a streamer and a pair of speakers and you have an amazing Hi-Fi system. That's it...no DAC, no preamp and no input switching. The signal path from the music to your speakers is remarkably short and free of artifacts. Want to hear the intricate details in your music that have always been there, but you couldn't quite make them all out before? Then the GaN 1 is for you!

What makes the GaN 1 so special?

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 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 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 new as similar devices known as "Power DACs" made quite a splash in our industry years ago. But this time around, by executing the concept with GaN-FETs, the bar is raised to an entirely new level.

Key Features at a Glance:
▪ 200 WPC state-of-the-art GaN-FET module
▪ ZERO feedback design
▪ Regulated 450-Watt power supply
▪ Coaxial S/PDIF input with native support up to 24-bit / 192kHz
▪ DAC-less design
▪ Power on/off trigger port
▪ All aluminum chassis
▪ No cooling fans

 

This sounded really interesting to me and since I have a good streamer I signed up for the amp beta only. One aspect that intrigues me is to create an extremely minimal signal path. My speakers are single driver, crossover-less design. Employing the GaN 1 will mean the system will be Auralic Aries --> GaN 1 --> Cube Nenuphar Mini's. Will that lead to a more engaging sound vs the full system? Will the Voyager GaN 350 outperform a tube amp in the full system? Who knows, should be fun to find out....

Now, I have no idea how either of these GaN FET amps will work with my speakers. The Cube Nenuphars seem to prefer amps with low damping and no negative feedback, which is more common with SET tube amps and Class A solid state amps. I'm not sure of the damping factor of the GaN FET amps, but both are Zero feedback designs, and both have way more wattage than I need. For reference, I have a 1.5 wpc 45 tube amp that sounds amazing with the Cubes, so high wattage is not required. I am interested though in what these amps will sound like compared to my tube amps, and I am particularly interested in what the streamer direct to amp Peachtree will sound like.

I am also looking to acquire a First Watt SIT-3, which is a great match with the Cubes, but now that they are no longer produced prices have gone above my current comfort level. If I can get one I will throw it into the experiment.

The Peachtree won't be shipped until sometime in June, or possibly later. In the meantime I will get the LSA Voyager in the next few days. I might even be able to get it hooked up this weekend so stay tuned, should be an interesting experiment...
abd1
donnylovely
105 posts
 

You have it backwoods, Open loop = no feed back. Sun = hot, but just because something is hot doesn’t mean it’s the sun. Look inside the gan 1 and see, which you obviously haven’t done. If it was load dependent then why is it rated 200w at 4 and 8 ohms? Or is that what you are talking about? I thought that would mean it’s not load dependent, but maybe I have that backwards? Does dependant mean something else in the amplifier world?

ricevs
1,475 posts
 

What is so funny is that any load dependency really does not mean anything to anyone except those who look at numbers. If an amp is 1 db down at 20K with a 4 ohm load (so that means your tweeter has a 4 ohm load).....then your speaker will be down about one quarter db at 10K.......do you think you can hear this? Do you think you can hear 1 db down at 20K?

What is so cool about the pure digital amps is that you will ALL end up using them with a digital xover. This is part of the revolution. The digital amp gets rid of the preamp and DAC and analog interconnects and normal amp. But the revolution does not end there. The parts inside your speaker are messing up the sound. By using a pure digital xover you get rid of those parts, you can use a tweeter much lower in frequency to get more transparency by using high order slopes, you can time align, equalize, room correct......all without sonic loss. So, even if your zero feedback digital amp were driving a tweeter with a 2 ohm load and there is some loss there.....well, you just boost the highs in the crossover to compensate......end of story. This is the revolution.....digital amps and multiamping using a digital xover.......YOU ALL WANT THIS. This will give the best sound in the world. LESS IS MORE!!!!!

ricevs
1,475 posts
 

mbolek, You are the only person in the world who has modded the GaN 1......I think you hinted at changing the coax wire inside......please try this, it should make a big difference.....and eliminate the connectors on the wire, if you can....hardwiing is always best.....and all coax wires sound different (please re read the review of all the digital cables linked to on page 2).....Because one is made from silver does not mean it will give the best sound. Try different ones. I will be doing this when I get one in here to mod.

donnylovely
105 posts
 

What is so funny is that any load dependency really does not mean anything to anyone except those who look at numbers

I 100% agree. You either like an amps sound or you don’t. Don’t see why this guy is sweating some bad measurement, which he made up himself. It is kinda fun seeing what BS he comes up with trying to explain the thing he hasn’t measured though. I’m keeping my Gan 1 long term no matter what measurements or lies people come up with.

kuribo
524 posts
 

It's clear that the meaning and implications of load dependent frequency response are over the heads of many here. It's of no use debating with those who don't even understand the issue at hand, yet argue any way. Pure ignorance.

And, lol, no, power at a given impedance is not the same as frequency response at varying impedance. But you do keep proving my point that many here have no understanding of the technical underpinnings of these amps yet argue on and on without a clue what they are arguing. Bravo.

Still waiting for an example of an open loop amp without a load dependent frequency response, or any proof whatsoever that this Peachtree GaN amp is such.

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