Peachtree Audio - Page 14

Actually, I did not swap cables I was intending on using optical from the OPPO. If I get the chance I will hook up another pair of RCAs from the OPPO to the NOVA.

This was a while back but I think it may have been just one offending cable, although I probably didn't go further to rule out the OPPO output or NOVA input.

I use another set of NOVA analog inputs for my old TASCAM and did not hear anything adverse.

I did have a strange clocking problem with the OPPO and NOVA via Toslink one day but it has not cropped back up and that is my secondary source anyway.

dc

Thanks! Still loving the NOVA. I had a professional audio repair tech look at the NOVA and he was very impressed at the quality of the parts inside; the boards, the traces, and caps, etc. he was really happy to see some quality n there.

Hi,

any new estimation of the release date of the forthcoming "Pre-only-Nova" ? And any information about what it has inside? ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018) DAC chip maybe (pretty pls )? Input for HDMI audio?

Arto

Hi Art, We're hard at work now on the pre/dac.
Should be out mid year 2010. At this point, I won't comment on the DAC we'll be using, but you won't be disappointed. No HDMI from us...they want $200k just for license...

Best wishes,
David

David,

I am absolutely interested in your products and am wondering if I should jump in now with the Nova. The thing that holds me back is that I have an amp and so I don't need that functionality of the Nova. I am VERY interested in this Nova Pre\\dac though. I have been shopping for a DAC for what seems like ages now and given the praises that your current Nova chip gets I cannot imagine how good an upgrade would be (esp if its the 9018, but I understand you can't talk about it).However, I would have a pretty solid price celling of about $1k. If its less than that I am MORE than happy to wait until that comes out to jump on the Peachtree bandwagon.

Is there anyway you can speak to that? Not an exact price, but at least a north or south of 1k?

Thanks so much

Okay, I will say that the target price will be south of the $1,000 mark...
Mid 2010 would be the target date...
Thanks for the interest!
David

GREAT. I can't wait!

I would love to buy a high quality 2-ch dac/pre like the Nova if it allows me to listen my 2-ch SACDs from my Oppo BDP-83 passing the DSD stream through HDMI... I am a stereo guy and I do not want to buy a 7-ch processor just to use two channels.

I run the amp in the NOVA to power my outdoor speakers and push the pre-out to my tube amp/HiFi.

One thing I am looking into is the channel balance on the Nova.

I switched the tubes from left to right on my power amp, and plan on replacing the rectifier with a perfectly balanced one. Then I will find some very well matched 6BM8 tubes.

What I'm getting is quite a bit more volume on the left channel. I doubt it's the NOVA but using the Amplitrex will rule out tubes so it could be my power amp.

LOVE the NOVA; the pre is tempting but I love the multiple uses I get from the pre-out and built-in amp.

dc

Hi David

I just heard the nova and it is wonderful product, i have already ordered one. I have 2 questions though

1.- I read before a non recomendation using the nova as an integrated amp on Martin Logan. I have the ML Vantage. Do you think I'll be able to drive them just with the nova?

2.- About the tube, when the blue led is on does this mean the tube is off? and does the tube works on the fixed line out? and on the pre out?

Thanks and congrats on the product of the year award.

Gilbert

Hi Gilbert,
I would have ordinarily said no way...but I heard this combo the last time I was in S California and it was really good. The panels are just north of 90dB and w/the powered woofers, it was no problem for the Nova.

When the blue LED is on, the tube buffer is engaged. The tube is in the circuit from the pre outs, but not in the fixed out.

Hope this helps,
David

---UPDATE---VERY SATISIFIED

I have had my new NOVA with Totem Arros and Sonos up and running for about a month now. I wanted a clean, non-cluttered look with good sound. I have the NOVA setting on top of a 1940's floor standing radio/phono. (The Sonos is hidden in the back of the NOVA.) I love the fact that NOVA (with hidden Sonos) is the only piece I need/want and provides all the music that I could ever imagine! The "cool factor" and "wife friendly" is a winner for us!

notes:

(1) Totem Arros are clean and clear, but the bass does not blow me away. I filled the bottom chambers with about 10# of lead shot, and that did make a difference.

(2) The only thing that I have a "very small" issue with on the NOVA is the lack of a balance control. My seating and living room is not perfect, and it would be nice to tweak the balance ever so slightly.

(3) Love the Sonos. My music IQ has been expanded. I am listening to music that I have never heard before. My favorite type of music is actually changing from being exposed to so much more. The best thing about the Sonos is not needing to buy anymore CDs. Of course I have to pay for my Rapsody account, but hey, I consider it a steal.

I know this is not a blow your windows out of the frames system, but it will preform at a good volume level with "clean crisp sound" !

(attn David: Thank You for providing the NOVA !)

Thanks so much for the update. We're getting many positive comments, reviews and awards and we appreciate each one. Looks like our plan for world domination is well on its way. lol.

Anyway, I'd like to start a customer review page on our site so if any of you would like to have your review or comments published there, please send them to me in an email as I don't want to start w a blank page if possible.
Just put "ok to publish" in the body of the email if you care to participate.

dsolomon@signalpathint.com

Best wishes,
David Solomon
Peachtree/Era

Is there a canadian dealer?

I've been buying quite a few 24/96 releases from Linn & HDTracks in FLAC. I'm a J. River Media Center user and the NOVA is perfect for hooking into my music server. I have a BDP83 as well since I didn't want to buy a slot-load Blu-Ray player for my HTPC and I wanted SACD (even though I don't own any - guys in the club do). I'm shocked at how locked down the unit is. They could be making money, instead SACD is a dying format imo.

I could buy the new Jarrett 3-cd album on Amazon for $30, or I can get iit in 24/96 instantly for $30; no brainer.

Update, I just plugged in my AKG 702 and I'm hearing the same imbalance in channels as on my power amp. I'm not as anal as I sound here in this post, but it is a rather marked imbalance. I hear it with the tube buffer engaged or off. Tried the radio, pc, and Oppo. Is this something that simply evens out once the volume is ramped up?

It's at least 2db? To the point where I can hear the music quietly on the left channel, but not on the right.

Hi,

I purchased Peachtree Nova last week to replace my current set up: Itunes/Apples Lossless -> Airport Express -> DAC Magic -> NAD 785 -> Joseph Audio speakers. As a first step I replaced NAD785 with Peachtree. I was thrilled to hear a tremeondous difference - great sound !

I have read many good things about Sonos - the flexibility sounded very eniticing. So I got a couple of ZP90s to experiment. I hooked them up to the Peachtree over a Toslink interface and made a comparison to Airport Express. I was really stunned how the sound appeared inferior to APE ! ... both digital streaming over the same interface into the same system !

Very peculiar ... am I missing something ?

TIA andrew

Try this: use either a Sonos remote or the desktop player to change the "Line-Out" volume setting from Variable to Fixed. Then use the Nova to control the volume. You may hear a significant difference.

Your best bet for Sonos-related topics is the Sonos forum at http://forums.sonos.com.

Hope that helps.

I'm curious to know if the fixed output, which does not use the tube buffer, has socketed opamps or not.

I'd also like to hear more about the dac/pre.

I'd like it to have:

real tube stage
24/96 USB
newest Sabre chip (9018?)
bnc output

DC

been reading this thread for a while, very close to making a decision about getting a Nova.

i'm curious about the internal amp, though. can someone tell me in greater detail how this amp is better than an amp found in a mid-tier AVR? i've only had AVRs over the years, and i've never been impressed with their internal amps. i don't have the space for a separate amp, either. (i live in a verrrry small nyc apartment.) my current receiver is a DMR-1 from Emotiva, which is excellent, but 90% of my listening is now 2-channel, so i don't need it, and would rather have an over-achieving unit like the Nova. most of my music is played wireless from my mac via airport express. i do watch a lot of movies too, but don't need the full surround experience.

it would drive an older pair of Totem Model-1 monitors. i also have an old itty bitty Sunfire True Subwoofer Jr.

so, i guess my question is...would the Nova be a significant improvement over my AVR?

Hi dc...asking all the right questions again I see!

sorry for the late reply. I was out of the country the last 10 days.

We're working on 24/96 and/or 24/192USB now.

There will be a new tube circuit...whether it's a standard buffer or a cathode
follower I'm not sure

Yes...Either the 9016 or 9018 (very similar)

bnc out? It's not in the plan now, but we'll consider it if it has enough applications for enough people.

by the way....newer potentiometers have tighter balance tolerances than the earlier units. It really only affects the lowest volumes and usually by the time you're at 8 o'clock it's dead even. We can do your software update and swap out volume pots at the same time if you like..

This is a really good system and a favorite combo of our best dealers in NY (Stereo Exchange). You can actually hear it there. The 1's are about 87dB spl and sound great w the Nova. That's actually a couple dB more efficient than our own era speakers.
We actually used Totum "The One" at the last seminar a couple of months ago. Sounded really sweet.
The amp is actually pretty good as we use a big toridal transformer powering mos-fet outputs.
It's not the most powerful amp, but it does sound good.
Hope this helps,
David

You answered my question on the potentiometer, that makes sense.

What up the mentioned upgrade path for the nova USB?


http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=pcaudio&m=45695

I love the Nova and I just ordered an Eastern Electric DAC with the 9018.

I think BNC is essential. The Musliand monitor and the new HiFace USB both allow 24/192 and have a BNC output option. Both are affordable and would allow uses the best possible digital connection running from PC to DAC (imo). Both the Lavry & Benchmark DACs have BNC input.But if you are considering an async 24/192 USB, maybe BNC is unnecessary; I like getting rid of another device/cable.

I would a multi-input DAC/pre from SignalPath with a BNC input as well as USB. More flexibility. Any chance of a pre-order offer on the Nova pre? We need more details : ) Will it be the same size as the NOVA, given its "pre" status, or more of a "DAC-size"?

DC

Peekytoe,

I recently bought a Nova to use (along with a new Sonos system) in my main listening area. The Nova replaces a mid-tier AVR and is driving a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 60's. The Paradigm's are pretty efficient and the AVR certainly didn't have any problem providing enough power for them, so I was wondering how much of an improvement the Nova would be. The short answer is that is makes a significant improvement in the quality of the sound. Even at low volumes, the Nova has much more detail, definition, punch, and "ummph" (sorry for the technical terms...) than the AVR. I'm sure part of this is due to the Sabre DAC, but I believe the improved quality of the amplifier (over my AVR) is also a major factor. The fact that the Nova is smaller than my AVR, it sounds much better, it looks much better, the Sonos ZP90 can be neatly hidden inside, AND it doesn't have 500 features and connections on the back that I won't ever use all add up to a great product. I don't think you'll be disappointed - I certainly haven't been so far!!

I've been pestering the boys via email about the new DAC/PRE. I'm commited to getting one because I feel it can only get better from here on out. Hopefully, we'll get a peek soon

I did pre-order a DAC which is coming soon with the 9018 and tube stage or socketed opamp output stage (selectable) for my office setup, but I'm saving a space at home for the new offering from SignalPath. Keep up the great work!

Out of curiosity, what version are your Studio 60s? I ask because I used to have 2 pairs of V.2 60s and the Studio CC for my 5.0 setup in my apartment. I loved those speakers and regret selling my beautiful Rosenut pair. I am seriously considering a Nova and might even try to pick up a good used set of Studio 60 V.2 if I can find some close by.

I have a question about the upcoming DAC/PRE.

I'm hoping this unit will have analog inputs as well as digital; I assume it will but have to ask. The new EE DAC will have multiple inputs, all digital, and can switch between them, and includes an analog volume control which can drive a power amp.

I have to again insist, even if SignalPath ends up with 24/192 over USB, that they include BNC digital input. Then people can convert back to RCA coax if need be with an adapter or dedictaed RCA>BNC cable.

Happy holidays!
Jon

Hi All,

We got a Nova for Christmas. Love it! One thing we're working through is getting the cable box to work with the digital optical or coax feed into the Nova. All we're getting is a weird clicking noise with the cable box/Nova digital connections. Strangely, hooking our CD player up to the same digital ports on the Nova with the same cables (both optical and coax) works fine and hooking the cable box up to another int amp (an old Onkyo) with the same digital cable also works fine. we're stumped. We must be missing something? Left/Right Analog from the cable box to the Nova also works fine; just not the digital (which we'd definitely prefer to use the Nova's DAC).

any thoughts would be much appreciated!

happy holidays!

Jim

I had the crummy digital out on my LCD TV hooked up for awhile instead of directly connecting the cable box. Sometimes I had this problem; I no longer use cable TV though.

I wonder if it is rejecting it due to high jitter? The strange thing is that the Sabre chip gets touted as being superior with its internal jitter reduction mechanism yet the Nova needed a mod to allow Apple N airports to push audio in via digital. Don't get me wrong, the Nova rocks, but it shows you still need a stable source.

I assume you tried both digital 1 & 2 on the Nova.

dc....Thanks again for the advice....you may well get what you wish with a few additional goodies. I don't mean to tease, but it is a little early to go public as there are some costs and engineering yet to be determined.. Just know that some of the delays involving the Dac-Pre are due to new upgrades we want to implement.