Peachtree Audio - Page 58

and better re-wire your house to the breaker box with better 10 G cable. I don't see how anyboyd can suggest a better power cable wil help sound (unless using lamp cord).

How does the Peachtree Dac compare to the Dac in the Marantz AV7005? Considering adding the NovaPre for for use with the ATV for 2-channel.

I would be using the same Outlaw Amp with both pre-amps

Thanks,
Lee

Thanks David! Great breakdown of the benefits of the Grand, I am conflicted again about which to go for! Luckily I'm already sorted with conditioners and cables etc of good quality so I don't need extra expense for those. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks again for directly advising

Hi David,

As I've mentioned on your FB page and the old Era thread here on AVS, I've always loved the D5 speakers when I've heard them at RMAF. I foolishly bought Paradigm Studio 10's instead and, while they're a good speaker, they've never sounded as warm and musical as the D5's. I'm contemplating buying a pair, but I'm also considering the LSA Monitor 1. Have you ever listened to those and if so, can you outline some of the differences in your opinion?

The LSAs are a bit bigger so I'm guessing they may go a little lower, but that doesn't concern me as I run dual subs. I'm more curious about perceived differences in the midrange, soundstaging and imaging, etc. Thanks!

Hi Lee,
It's more a difference between a HT processor and a dedicated 2 channel system. The novaPre would sound better even w the same DAC because there's just so much less circuitry involved.
The Marantz uses Burr Brown DAC's. Easy to work with and sound fine. They are no where close to the ESS if you're using a high-jitter source... Computer, Apple TV, most streamers etc.
ATB,
David
.
Edited by Peachtree Audio - 10/30/12 at 8:55pm

The LSA M1 came out a year or so after we did the D5. I was a little surprised when they did because they made them to "look" a lot like the D5.
It takes only a rap on the two cabinets to find their not built the same. While the D5 sounds close to a brick, as they're 1.5" MDF w/a full brace in the middle, between the woof/tweeter, the LSA sounds a good bit more hollow. They're not nearly as heavy either.
Having said this, I've only heard them for a brief moment a few years ago.
The mids, sound-stage and imaging are at least to my liking in the D5. Michael Kelly (Ariel Acoustics) designed our drivers and they were very easy to voice. All we had to do other that that was to put a rock solid cabinet in place and we've only changed them once because we just like the way they sound. It was a cosmetic change in the cabinet.
Hope this helps,
David


PS: Since we got to help design and voice these speakers, it's natural that I like the way they sound. We really set out to make a speaker that was as musical as possible for us and look pretty enough for Kristi and Ann.
Other ways to see some reviews, Google era design 5 speakers. Or era d5 speakers.
Edited by Peachtree Audio - 10/30/12 at 8:58pm

I went ahead and put my money where my mouth is and pre-ordered a Nova125.

Can't wait to hear what you think.

Dang, the Peachtree site was just down for maintenance, so I thought, "Hey, maybe this is just like when Apple introduces new products and I'll have my Nova125 in no time!" Alas, it's back up and nothing has changed.

Yea, this morning our site was hacked by Al-Qaeda... With "Death to Israel, Death to USA and some pretty graphic pictures... I was freaking out and then it turn quick to a stock error message. Wish I'd gotten some screen shots. Felt so violated. Now, back to work.
Normal is getting so weird...

I just got the peachtree d4 speakers to replace my Mirage OMD28. Massive loss in the low range which I knew going in, but the speakers sound fantastic in the mids and highs. My neighbors better be happy:mad:

I took the 28s up to my parents house where they can rock out still and hopefully one day be back in my living room when I move out of apartments!

Yeah, The D4 is great w a sub or for nearfield on a desk. W/o a sub, the D5 is the way to go if possible.

Sub (or my ~18hz mirage speakers) are what got me in to trouble in the first place and forced me to move them out.

i'm enjoying the d4 but I think I may do what you said and get the d5 instead. I can't use a sub so need to get a little bit of bass, but unfortunately can't get huge sound because it really annoys the neighbors...

will the d5 sound a lot bigger than the d4? I've the Nova powering it. I still have the peachtree 220 but cant imagine either of those taking advantage of it...

It really does. I gave up a pair in the bedroom and replaced them w/the D4. While I love the way they sound...can't wait to get the D5 back again.

Is there a breakdown of which Integrated uses which B&O module? I thought I read somewhere that it was:

One 125ASX2 for the Decco65
One 250ASX2 for the Nova125
Two bridged 250ASX2s for the Grand Integrated

Thanks,

James

First impressions of the Nova125-
Got my Nova125 today and was able to play around with it for an hour. My source is a mac mini, and I tried
both Amarra and Audirvana+, playing both AIFF files and 24/96 FLAC files.
First off, it's much more lively and spacious sounding than my Nova, which I kind of expected because I had a Bel Canto Evo 200.2 class D amp
for a short time and it was the same way...very lively and spacious. On some tracks, this was a bit too eager and forward for me, but on other tracks,
like off GNR's Use Your Illusion I & II that normally sounds a tad dull, the sound and feeling was brought back to life. The bass was punchy and the soundstage
grew by leaps and bounds. On the 24/96 HD Tracks version of "Dead & Bloated" by Stone Temple Pilots, the guitar was much more up-front and harder driving vs. my Nova, and I liked it a lot!
On the flip side of the musical spectrum, I listened to "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters, again 24/96 via HD Tracks. This time the song was brighter
and didn't seem as melodic. Now, I will say that it doesn't help that my GoldenEar Aon 3's lean toward the brighter side too.
It's WAY too early to tell which one I like better. I need to dedicate a good chunk of a weekend to do some A/B comparisons with my Nova. Another note of interest...I usually prefer the sound from
Audirvana+, but with the Nova125 I think I liked Amarra better...better try Pure Music too, just for good measure.

Hey David

How long until the UK gets the PreNova? so I can start saving up....

Hi everyone,

here is my situation.

I've discovered the Nova some years ago through one of the first resellers proposing the product here (hello from France!).
It was just love at the first listening.

For many months in a row, the Nova, optically connected to a Sonos ZP90 (thanks for the brilliant design idea) playing lossless files, has proudly driven my big loudspeakers (Triangle Antal).
Triangle Antal has a rather dynamic character. It can sound too acid and too boomy if not rightly associated with the amp.
With the Nova, it's a pure marvel: the sound keeps its foot-taping nature, with smooth-lush trebles (yes, the couple achieves that), detailed and fluid mediums.

Some weeks ago, I've upgraded my system and went to even higher-end Triangle loudspeakers.
Those new Triangle have even better mediums, more refined trebles, and fairly extended basses.
Coupled with the Nova, the sound has kept many good aspects.
On vocal jazz, cool jazz, and down-tempo symphonic, the results are wonderful.
But when playing more dynamic tracks, there is something lacking.
Long story short, the lower part is not that well controlled. Extension is quite limited, and I cannot get a proper balance between the respect of the rhythm and a boomy sound.
This is not volume-related.
I've tried the two filter-settings as well as the tube switching, and in all cases I'm still stuck with these "flabboomy" basses.

There are many other solutions on the market, and I've listened to a pretty large list of DACs and Amps with my speakers.
On the cool musics, none of them did match the Nova (tube on, slope filter) on my speakers.
So I want to keep this killing sound ... and get proper basses.

My idea: going for the 220 power amp.
For sure I could go to the Nova 125 to get some better driving. But I doubt it will be enough to change the bass situation, and the various feedbacks I've read (Nova 125 still not available in Europe) are speaking of a less rounded sound in the mediums and trebles (which will not work with my speakers and my ears).
For sure I could go to the Grand Integrated ... or rather dream of the Grand Integrated (budget, and no delay for France).

So have you heard the 220? What the nature of its sound? A pure power beast, or rather a high-current refined gentleman knowing how to make boomers sound extended, rhythmic and controlled?

I recently added the 220 to my nova because I thought my omd28s needed more power. Personally I could not hear any change in sound but the 220 certainly allowed me to turn the volume much higher and really make the Mirage sing.

I was forced to move the big speakers from my apt. So now have monitor audio rx2 with the two Peachtree. Total overkill but it sounds great and someday I'll have the big speakers again!

I've debated getting a pre nova instead of the nova but can't find any support that it will make much difference.

Thanks nycmtber.
The feedback it does not change the sound is good news for the mediums and highs ... but I don't know if this will solve my issue.

My problem is actually not the volume to be higher.
My speakers are quite sensitive (91db) and when putting the know around 9:00-10:00 it's already quite loud without any distortion. And a lovable sound in the mediums and highs.
It's rather to be able to drive correctly the two boomers per Triangle. Right now they are not mastered by the Nova.
The replacement by a Pre could also be an idea (if I'd move to a 220), but I'll not the risk of any change of sound.

My understanding and limited experience with amplifiers is unless you are going beyond the capabilities of the nova amp and clipping, the 220 is not necessary and it won't change anything. The omd28s are supposedly demanding speakers but I think the nova did just fine and they are now in an HT setup with a little more power than the nova and sound fantastic.

With the 220 and rx2 I rarely go past 9 on the nova. Even the minimal volume is clearly audible.

Well ... sorry but cannot agree on this last one.
From my experience, lower end requires power.
When you want to maintain a bass sound with the lowest frequencies, your amp, and more particularly its power unit, can have insufficient power to fill the full spectrum.
You'll still hear a good sound, but the most power-demanding frequencies will be absent (compared to the other ones), thus creating a kind of unbalance within the sound.
In addition, rhythm and in particular beat will require impulse power. If the power unit and/or the amp cannot supply the required impulse power, then you'll lose the beating attacks.
Once again, only my experience.
Then there are the sound characteristics of each electronic.
Maybe the Nova and 220 are too soft in the bass department, end point.
Maybe the 220 is too harsh with a huge bass power, but killing softness in the mediums and trebles (actually not, based on your feedback).

When will the X1 be available?

Also, I wanted to ask, what would be the difference between running optical from my Macbook via mini-toslink to the Peachtree DAC-IT, versus using the X1 through the USB port and then outputting from the X1 via toslink into the DAC? Wouldn't I get the same result?

I find that with my setup, the USB input on the DAC-IT doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the optical toslink input, hence why I currently connect my Macbook via the mini-toslink output into the DAC-IT.

My system:

Macbook (2007, Core 2 Duo based)
Rega Mira
Arcam DV78 CD/DVD Player
Peachtree DAC-IT

Thanks!

Najibs, why would you come out of the X1 into the DAC-IT?
We are talking about the Grand X1 Integrated, right?
The X1 has its own DAC, and first reviews say the X1 DAC is far better than the DAC-IT.
The Grand Pre can replace your DAC-IT, the Grand X1 your DAC-IT and your amplifier.
If you want to power a second room, then you should rather use the "line-out" output of the X1 to feed another amplifier.

Oh ... last but not least, there is no Toslink output on the X1.

No, not the grand X1, Im talking about this new product:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/376597_10152057648735613_727564624_n.jpg

And here's what David Solomon said:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1095832/peachtree-audio/1680#post_22430962

Sorry for my being stupid.

We actually use a TI chip set in the 65. Was originally used in a TACT amp under a different name and TI bought the company to produce them.
The rest is correct...

Great feedback and what we were going for. I'm glad it didn't change the overall sound, just added more control and power.
While the Nova is really sweet, the nova pre will beat it, if nothing else, the DAC is three years newer and Dustin Forman (ESS) really does keep improving them.
Also, the novaPre will resolve 24/192 async via USB, if you're interested in high res files and has a very nice class a analog output circuit. So there is quite a difference.
Having said that, I still have a nova running D5's and a Sonos in my bedroom, and I'll probably keep it until the wheels fall off. Just sounds so darn sweet.

This is really strange and could be something wrong w the DaciT if your toslink sounds better. Our USB has always been reviewed very well because we take lots of time doing it right.
If you used the X1, it would be via USB and then out coax. This would give you up to 24/192.
I'd check your set up though because your USB should sound better or at the very least as good.
ATB
David

Very good question that I also wanted to ask you guys:
"So have you heard the 220? What the nature of its sound? A pure power beast, or rather a high-current refined gentleman knowing how to make boomers sound extended, rhythmic and controlled?"

I am not looking for components for my new stereo system and i was down to the following products.
Amplification: NovaPre + Peachtree 220 or a Melody Astroblack50
Loudspeakers: ATC SCM11 or DALI Mentor Menuet

the DALI speakers fit in my current budget but i could also get a good one-time-only on a pair of SCM11 !! The 11 really shines but they need lots of clean power to really sing (they're 82db so not very efficient). Could the Pre+220 bundle drive the SCM11??

Read a good review of the SCM11 on the Stereophile website and the reviewer first coupled them with a Peachtree Nova (2x80w) but said they could use the higher power of a thrice-as-expensive Luxman integrated amp.

The DALI menuet i listened to paired with a tube amp (forgot the name) but I found the treble to be too-agressive to my taste. It got better when paired with a Quad ESL amp but that is clearly out of my budget. Seller told me they perform well with 80-100w power so a Nova could be a good solution here - however i am guessing that the Pre+220 combination 'could' be a better investment in the long-term if it can accomodate a wider range of loudspeakers (?)

The main reasons why I like the Peachtree combination of DAC/Preamp + power amp are: Price, digital-focus, same brand usually makes for a good pairing (one can assume).. and i will be able to listen to them next weekend for the first time

What do you guys think?? Peachtree combination with the ATC SCM11??