Originally Posted by
djmicromix 
I had to join this forum just to say how much I love my Peachtree Nova. I've had it for about for about two months now, and it's really broken in nicely. I'm running it with a Wadia iTransport (which is awesome) with a 120gb ipod with all apple lossless files, a pair of Sunfire Cinema Duo CRM-2s, and a Sunfire True Junior Subwoofer. Basically, my desire for a high fidelity system had to be combined with my wife's desire (demand) for the smallest system possible.
The system performs tremendously. I've experimented with separating components and isolating the performance of each, and it I've noticed that the Nova's DAC is really quite impressive. Combined with the excellent Sunfire speakers I get a phenomenal soundstage (you have to listen to the sunfires, tiny and amazing). My jazz collection (especially Charles Mingus and Cecil Taylor) has never brought me so much joy. I've never really experienced "being there" on a home stereo before, but now I get it. And my whole system cost under $3,000 thanks to ebay (though the Nova was full price).
The tube pre-amp is excellent as well. I've switched it on and off many times to listen to the difference. In quieter music it's not very noticable. In loud or crescendo-based music, though, the smoothing effect is very noticable and very pleasant (for example, when listening to the loud parts of Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, or Isis). Also, there's not much discussion I've seen about the button on the back that switches from "sharp" to "slow", but I prefer the sound of the "slow". That, combined with the tube, smooths the digital music without mucking it up, and gives it a very pleasing and non-fatiguing sound.
The amplifier itself is very clean and oddly powerful. It fills my medium size room very loudly at half volume. I also have an APC power conditioner and I never hear any noise other than what's in the music.
Finally, the headphone amp is the cherry on top. I have Sennheiser HD 650 headphones and wow the music is so pure when pumping through those. While I prefer music through speakers, as I like the more organic soundstage, the headphone set up is perfect for reference.
In sum, I could not be happier with the Nova and I highly, highly recommend it to everyone. I think my set up is perhaps the best small high fidelity set up available.
My only annoyances with the Nova:
1. I have the same problem with others that when it first turns on the first second or so of the song doesn't play. I assumed this was an issue with the iTransport, but I guess not. This is a very minor issue, though.
2. In headphone mode the speakers automatically turn off but the subwoofer output does not. This is more annoying, since I need to manually deal with the sub any time I listen to the headphones. But not a major problem. It did lead to a hilarious scene the first time I put on my headphones then put on music when I thought "wow, this amp really brings out the bass in my headphones," only realize the sub was on.
3. I now find music pretty unlistenable on average stereos. I guess I shouldn't complain about this, though!
If you're thinking about buying the Nova, just buy it, you will be happy. And look for the Sunfire Cinema Duos too. I got a pair on ebay for $800, which is a steal.
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