Peachtree Audio - Page 45

How is your TV sound configured? If it puts out "bitstream" instead of PCM, it will work with an AVR which has a Dolby decoder and not Nova (or any other DAC like it).

The TV is in multi-channel mode. Switch the output to PCM (Stereo) and you should be fine.

[quote="
Has anyone had any compatibilty issues with Peachtree Nova's and Samsung plasma t.v.s? If so can you help with any solutions?[/QUOTE]

The Nova does not decode Dolby digital signals. You have to set your tv's audio to "PCM Output". Your blue Ray player defaults to that setting, and if you've not tweeked it, it's probably still on that setting. I have a lesser Samsung HDTV, and it's output settings do not allow me to set it's audio output to PCM. You may be stuck with having to use the RCA output from your TV to the Nova and bypass its DAC :-(

My Samsung t.v. doesn't allow me to adjust the output to PCM. It also doesn't have RCA audio outs, it has 1 mini out. What I have done to compensate for these deficiencies is I'm running the TOSLINK audio out from the t.v. to the TOSLINK audio in on my NAD a/v/ receiver. I then run a rca cable from the receiver's preamp output to the Nova's aux input. So when I'm watching regular t.v. it goes through the NAD. When I'm watching the blu ray it goes from the blu ray to the Nova via TOSLINK. And when I'm listening to my CD player it goes directly to the Nova via the digital input. The other benefit of the NAD is it doubles as a tuner for the few times I need t listen to the radio.

I really love what the Nova has done for my music listening, main reason I bought it.

Are you using Nova input number 3 (from your receiver) in home theater bypass mode?

I am having a problem getting 24/96 files to play on the Nova. Using my macbook, I set the midi correctly, and they will play out of the laptop's speakers.

If I then plug into the Nova via Opt1 or Opt2, all I get is a weird rhythmic skipping sound.

If I go into midi and change back to 16/48, the files play fine (but not in hi res)

I have tried 2 different minitoslink cords.

Kinda at a loss here.

I have had this problem with optical cables. My cheapest one ($0.31) wouldn't play 96 kHz at all. I found a good plastic cable will work about 50% of the time, and my glass one works about 80% of the time.

When it doesn't work, I toggle back and forth with Audio MIDI Setup between 96kHz and 48kHz or 88kHz, forcing the DAC to re-lock on the signal. Sometimes I have to really screw with it.

I finally got annoyed enough by this irritation to get a Halide Bridge.

Hi AVS
Looks like the Dac*it will be here in 5-6 weeks. It has remote control and 3 digital inputs (USB, coax and optical). The Dac*it uses the ESS 9022 so 24/96 via USB sounds great. The coax SPDIF will resolve 24/192.
I've been listening to the raw board for some time w great results.
The Dac*it will be $449.

Wohoo!! Are there any pictures of it?

This is just a DAC, right? Or is it a DAC/preamp?

This one's a DAC. 24/96 USB- 24/192 Coax spdif.

Here are a couple of pictures as requested.

By the way, on our Facebook page, I have a contest so you can win a musicBox or DAC by submitting pictures of your Peachtree Audio system. Anyone interested? Would love to see your setups.
Best wishes,
David

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peacht...=wall&filter=1

The DAC*it looks pretty cool in those pictures.

Thanks!

Glad you liked my sob story on Facebook!

David,

In your totally unbiased opinion (ha ha) how does the Dac*it compare to the Arcam rDac? Seems like an inevitable comparison. Based on what I've read, the rDac gets brownie points for asynchronous usb, but lacks galvanic isolation. Of course, I am most interested in how they sound. I am helping a friend put together a budget-minded mac-based system, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

P.S. He'll be using the DAC with a NAD 356BEE integrated amp and Maggie MMGs.

David,

When I turn on the amplifier, after plugging/unplugging the power outlet, it runs with the tube not activated.
Is there a way (or simple tweak) to force the nova to start with Tube stage on after a power outlet plug/unplug ?

Thanks

David,
Is the DacIT a true asynchronous USB DAC?

-Stephen aka PC

PC,

I'm pretty sure that the Dac*iT is adaptive rather than asynchronous (if it is designed like the Nova, iDAC, etc.). They all re-clock incoming music at the DAC to reduce jitter, so while they are not asynchronous they don't suffer from the typical jitter issues inherent in other adaptive designs. I assume the guys at Peachtree didn't want to license asynchronous tech from dCS (Arcam took this route with the rDAc), though I am not sure why the Peachtree guys haven't tried coming up with their own asynchronous solution. On the other hand, I have spent some time listening to both the iDecco and the iNova, and I can tell you that the Peachtree approach definitely works. They sound awesome.

-DC

I have compared the Nova's USB DAC to an external asynch USB to S/PDIF bridge. There is a definite improvement to the latter.

As you say, they really should implement their own scheme if they don't want to license. I know one-man companies who have done this so it is not all that challenging.

Seeing how the only cost is R&D and not BOM hit, it would be great to see PeachTree go in that direction. Right now, we drive our Nova with an outboard adapter per above. Eliminating that would reduce customer costs and simplify the system.

The difference is that the dac*it is rated for 24/96 while the Nova is a 24/96 up sampled. There might be an improvement with the newer DACs.

Well, we have a bit of an advantage since the chip is the ESS 9022, 32bit D/A. While we're not async, we still get the advantage of lowered jitter... Measured at the master clock, we're less than 3ps... Those doing async act is if it's the only way to basically eliminate jitter, but the ESS does just fine by itself. We also found that galvanically isolating the USB makes a bigger difference... I'm not discounting asynchronous applications at all. I like the technology. But the simple fact is that if you're using a BB, Wolfson, TI or most any standard chip set, you better be using async or you have a big mess on your hands...
So to end this rant...I do like our Dac*it better in a couple of ways. 1. I happen to like the Peachtree signature and we also add a nifty remote control. Hope this helps...

No, it's turn-on default is "tube off" if plate voltage drops... For your speakers safety...

I'm looking for a DAC for my AppleTV. Does your new Dac*It provide volume? I'm guessing no but just want to confirm.

Thanks,

Berardino

There wouldn't typically be a volume control in a device like a Dac*it. That's up to the preamp.

I was looking for a slope selector button in the photos but didn't see one. I suppose there could be a button on the remote.

one thing i wish the iNova had -- an on/off button for the tube ON the actual unit...

I really wish the iDac had an AES/EBU balanced input and XLR outs. Otherwise it is awesome.

Yeah, that's what i figured. It would be great if PeachTree built a DAC (using the SabreDAC) + Preamp only. Shouldn't be hard to build as it's just the Decco2 or Nova minus the amp circuitry. I need to use an external amp and would like to simplify my system with one less component. I also need an analog pre-amp to be able to pass through my Oppo 83SE output (hence my desire for the SabreDAC ).

I'll probably just pick up a Decco2, the price is pretty cheap given what you get.

Berardino

The preamps may be coming later this year at least David has said as much. I would guess that one would be similar to the decco2 and one would be similar to the Nova, but they would most likely have upgraded DACs in them than what you find in the Decco 2 and the Nova.

Hi David
2 Questions:

How would either a Nova or iNova pair with B&W CM8's? This would be using either a Sonos ZP100 or 80 as the input playing mostly FLAC files.

2nd, Would the Decco refurbished be a good choice for just an headphone amp? This would be for bedroom use, with both a Sonos and audio outs from a TV as a source. Current headphones are the Senn 600 & Darth Beyer.

thanks