Other than using the high level speaker inputs like REL not sure what else you’d do.
How are you going to use a tuner with Gan1? A2D converter?
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? |
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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!
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The tuner is out of consideration on the GAN1. However, my VM-1a headphone amp, which is better than the GAN1, has XLR inputs and I will use it with the RAAL SR1a earphones for the 3 hours in the morning as I listen to KCRW on my Magnum Dynalab MD108T. Normally I have the Lumin X1 DAC’s XLR on the VM-1a however, this morning I rearranged my gear and have the Lumin XLR and the MD 108T XLR’s grouped together so it will be a breeze to flip them back and forth. My RAAL SR1a with the VM-1a is better than the GAN1 and KEF LS50 Meta. However, the sound out of the LS50 Meta is incredible, even without the sub. I do prefer 2-channel listening since it less physically restrictive but the SR1a is almost 2-channel like, not like regular headphones. I should be content with this current LS50 Meta sound, but I know there is more available if I put in a sub. The Yamaha NS3000 without the sub will be better than the naked LS50 Meta and have more bass. The NS3000 was reviewed to be a more refined KEF Reference 1, which I totally believe since I have heard the NS5000 and the non-meta Reference 1. Yamaha NS-3000: High-end Høyttalere I Miniutgave (lbtechreviews.com) I will put a few photos of my new setup in the evening. I am taking most of the gear down to Ventura, CA today for a listening session. I will post the feedback, could be good or bad, everyone hears differently. @ricevs I hope you can post some comparisons between the Peachtree GAN1 and whatever VTV amp you are modding. I realized I did not solve my initial problem of getting an amp for my RAAL SR1a + amp adapter box for another room. So, I either get another GAN1 or a VTV. I forgot I also have all the gear from Sonore to stream to the SPDIF. BTW - I am keeping the Benchmark LA4 preamp, DAC3B, and the Sonore streaming pieces. The following are going bye-bye:
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I had a interesting demo session with my friend. The GAN1 sounded bad to him on the RAAL SR1a via a adapter box. He is used to the RAAL VM-1a so everything else sounds inferior. As I also said in my posts about the VM-1a. We then put his Bryston 2B-SST on the system, replacing the GAN1. Again, he said it sounded bad. This made him say it is the adapter box that is the culprit. He knows how the 2B-SST should with the track we played. My adapter box is the old version. He gave me the new adapter box to try out, which I did at home. Bad news is that it sounds much better than the old box, so that is about another $1K out the door. Goods news is is that it sounds better. With regards, to my system. I decided to put back the AHB2 with my LA4 preamp, to listen to KCRW from 9-12. I cannot listen on headphones when I need to move about in the morning. So I now need to change the speaker cable into the speakers from the GAN1 and AHB2 when I need to listen to the tuner. Not the end of the world and I am happy with the setup. Another thing, a single AHB2 has more bass than 2 monos in with my LS50 Meta. I had the same thing with my Thiel CS3.7. I did not expect that with the LS50 Meta. The LS50 Meta + KC62 sub is going to be replaced by most likely the KEF Reference 1 Meta (getting a deal on the Ref 1). The reason for the more bass from the single AHB2 could be because I have to now use the Benchmark speaker cable. I have no time to figure out if this is the true cause.
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I have been listening to the GAN1 for almost the whole day (and yesterday) and this amp sounds great, even without the necessary sub. I am very impressed by this amp. I also sold 1 of my Benchmark AHB2 amps today. I am keeping the other one because listening to my tuner was a PIA with the GAN1. It takes me 10 seconds to flip the speaker cables so not a problem. Once I raise enough cash from gear sales, I am going to pair the GAN1 with the KEF Reference 1 speaker. That monitor will not need a sub in my room.
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Exciting times for sure. I’m also impressed with my self-modded VTV D300 amp. The stock D300 performed at a similar level to my previous system which consisted of a 6K traditional amp, 1.7K XLR cables, and 3K DAC. For about the price of the XLR cables alone, the D300 gave me the same level of performance. This is a real bargain! And after doing the mods which I estimate is about $400 including parts and tools, the D300 is now at another level and I believe would beat my old system. My speakers are Zu Audio Soul 6 which have a live in your listening room sound. The D300 has only increased the sense of liveliness and realism. I believe the GAN 1, especially a modded GAN 1, would do the same if it were in my system. For years I’ve enjoyed headphone listening over listening to the 2 channel system. But now with an amp like the D300 and the Soul 6 speakers, I find listening to the 2 channel system to be slightly more enthralling than headphones. This is a surprising statement for me and this is not to reduce my joy with headphone listening in any way because that is still a very addictive activity. The 390W D300 is also at times reconfigured to power my headphone system but I use a converter box before the power reaches my sensitive Sennheiser IE900 IEMs. Sounds amazing with headphones. I have also sold some gear recently and have started to reinvest those funds in other parts of the system. The fun continues. |
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