Digital Processor Reviews

Peachtree DAC•iT D/A converter Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Apple MacBook Pro computer (2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD) running OS 10.6.7, iTunes 10.2.2, Amarra Computer Music Player 2.2, Songbird 1.9.3, and XLD; Oppo BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player; Meridian Sooloos Music Server (Control 15, TwinStore x3); Apple iPod Touch 1G; Benchmark DAC1 USB, Peachtree Audio iDac.
Preamplifier: Marantz AV7005 in Pure Direct Mode.
Power Amplifier: Classé CAM 350 monoblocks (2).
Loudspeakers: MartinLogan Prodigy, MartinLogan Descent subwoofers (2).
Cables: USB: Cardas Clear. S/PDIF: Cardas Neutral Reference. Line level: various Kimber Kable, XLO HT Pro & S/PDIF. Speaker: Kimber Kable BiFocal XL.
Accessories: Dedicated 20A line for amplifiers, dedicated 15A lines for digital & analog components.—Jon Iverson

COMPANY INFO
Peachtree Audio
Signal Path International
2045 120th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
(704) 391-9337
signalpathint.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
aopu.mohsin's picture
Submitted by aopu.mohsin on May 14, 2012 - 9:50am

Thanks Jon for the review. Sounds like a great product and comes recommended. However, I was wondering if you already have a list or can provide a "Highly-recommended" or "Top-10" list of budget DACs for budget-minded listeners (within different price range: $300, 500, $800 and $1000 something like it)?

Thanks in advance.

Jon Iverson's picture
Submitted by Jon Iverson on May 14, 2012 - 4:19pm

Good question - I've not really developed one and am pondering how such a list could be created rationally. With the dozens of well-designed and reasonably priced DACs out there, this might be a big project. Would sure make an interesting shoot-out though. hmmm.

Stephen Scharf's picture
Submitted by Stephen Scharf on May 17, 2012 - 1:13pm

Knowing Peachtree's products, I'm sure it's a fine-sounding DAC, but I think the new Schiitt Bifrost is a better DAC. It's also $50 less expensive, can use a real power cord rather than a wall wart (try it with a Shunyata Venom3 for superb results), is upgradeable for both USB and DAC boards, and supports asynch USB up to 24/192. Having owned one for three months, I personally think the Bifrost is better than anything else in the $500 price class and runs VERY close in performance to my $1300 Wadia 121. 

A review of the Bifrost should be on Stereophile's short list.

Jon Iverson's picture
Submitted by Jon Iverson on May 18, 2012 - 12:35pm

Hi Stephen - yes that's a good suggestion. I'm hoping to hear the BiFrost soon. Have you heard the DacIT yet? I wasn't expecting much at the price point but was taken aback with how much it sounded like a high-end DAC. They did a great job voicing it.

DeeJonesTex's picture
Submitted by DeeJonesTex on July 6, 2015 - 8:41pm

Purchased a DAC ITx yesterday hoping my 15 year old or so Adcom would be eclipsed by today's technology. After much listening, the Adcom KILLS it in every way. Interesting. I know its not expensive, but was still a little surprised....

Audiolad's picture
Submitted by Audiolad on December 18, 2015 - 12:45pm

"I have these old speakers I've treasured for years, yet when I compared them to the new ones, they blow them out of the water!"

That's a common problem with speakers because they are eletro-mechanical devices. What isn't thought of by some users is electronics also have a burn in time (20 hours recommended by Crutchfield for DAC IT X). Some electronics require much more, and my Schiit USB DAC only sounds good after 70 hours, so it does vary. Just keep that in mind when you compare any HiFi product.

X