A hi-fi system with too little gain or an impedance mismatch (especially at the interfaces of the selector switch and volume control) can sound dim or hesitant. A system…
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Everyone knows that world-class analog and digital sources are the bedrock of all fine audiophile systems. Everyone also knows that a happy relationship of amplifier, speakers, and room makes audiophiles smirk Aren't I lucky? Fewer among us are aware that the upper limit of sound quality an audio system can deliver will be established by whichever audio contraption we use to select our sources and adjust their volume.
The next day, I played this LP through this system for one of my measurements-oriented audiophile friends. At the end of the concerto, he looked at me and said, "That's not an amp!" To my quizzical expression he responded, "That's a second-harmonic generator!" Sheepishly, I admitted that the sound might be a little rich in even-order harmonics, but then asked him, "What else could sort and display this complex music in such a tactile, spacious, satisfying way?" Timpani were far back but completely fleshed out, still weighty and accurately toned. Piano was front right, solid, and frantic, all…
One year ago almost to the day as I write, Peachtree Audio invited me and other members of the audio press to the New York City retail shop Stereo Exchange, where various announcements regarding the brand were bundled, by the company's Jim Spainhour and David Solomon, under the virtual banner "PEACHTREE 2.0." Among the news: Peachtree, based in Bellevue, Washington, would now be manufacturing their nova integrated amplifiers in Canada—the company's previous offerings were all made in China—and they'd signed up a new design and engineering team.
Smiles were smiled and drinks were drunk,…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Tubed, dual-mono, line-level preamplifier. Tube complement: four 12AU7, two 5AR4. Inputs (all RCA): 4 pairs line-level, 1 pair home-theater bypass, phono optional. Outputs (all RCA): 2 pairs variable, 1 pair fixed. Gain: 12dB. Input impedance: 100k ohms. Output impedance: 2800 ohms. Input sensitivity: 200mV.
Dimensions: 14.5" (370mm) W by 8" (200mm) H by 15.5" (390mm) D. Weight 37.5 lbs (17kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: D6442852.
Finish: Gray lacquer.
Price: $2199. Approximate number of dealers: 60. Warranty: 2 years, limited;…
When listening resumed, the nova300 sounded considerably less dry, if not quite tube-like, though a trace of treble grain remained audible. But that was offset by exceptionally good musical momentum and at least decent sonic color, both of which I heard in the nova300's portrayal of "At the Meeting House," from Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge's Close to Picture (CD EP, no label, no catalog number). The Peachtree presented the two acoustic guitarists in a manner that emphasized the lightness and delicacy and precision of their flatpicking, as opposed to presenting a meaty or corporeal sound.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Palmer 2.5 turntable, Audio Origami PU-7 tonearm, AMG Teatro, Mighty Cala Sound TNT 15 cartridges; Analogueworks Zero turntable & tonearm, Ortofon 2M Black, Hana EL, Zu Denon 103 cartridges; Roksan Radius 7 turntable and tonearm, Corus Silver, Dynavector 20X2L cartridges.
Digital Sources: Mytek HiFi Brooklyn, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DACs; Integra DPPS-7.2 DVD-A player (used as transport).
Preamplification: Rogue Audio RP-1 line-level preamplifier; Dynavector P75, Lounge Audio LCR Mk.III, Parasound Halo JC 3+, Tavish Design Adagio…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier with phono stage and DAC. Digital inputs: 3 S/PDIF (one RCA, two optical), 2 USB (Type B, Type A optimized for iOS Lightning). Analog inputs: 1 line-level, 1 switchable between line-level and MM phono (maximum input 120mV). Output Power: 300Wpc into 8 ohms (24.8dBW), 450Wpc into 4 ohms (23.5dBW). Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.4dB. THD (1kHz, 4 ohms): 0.005%. Headphone output impedance: 1 ohm.
Dimensions: 14.02" (356mm) W by 4.37" (111mm) H by 13.25" (336.55mm) D. Weight: 17 lbs (7.7kg) net, 21 lbs (9.5kg)…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium preamplifier with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). The gain with the volume control set to its maximum was 11dB, unbalanced input to unbalanced output, 1dB below the specified 12dB. The preamplifier preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting). The inputs, all unbalanced, offered a very high input impedance of 183k ohms at 20Hz and 1kHz, dropping to a still very high 116k ohms at 20kHz. The PrimaLuna's output impedance, specified as 2800 ohms, was 2600 ohms at high and middle…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301 turntable; EMT 997 tonearm; EMT OFD 15 & TSD 15, Ortofon SPU #1S, Shindo Laboratory SPU pickup heads; Denon DL 103 cartridge.
Digital Sources: AudioQuest DragonFly Red, Halide Designs DAC HD USB DACs; Apple iMac computer (late 2015) running OS 10.12.1 & Roon v.1.2, Build 165; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Hommage T1 & T2 step-up transformers, Shindo Laboratory Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Laboratory Corton-Charlemagne (monoblocks) & Haut-Brion (stereo).
…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured Peachtree Audio's nova300 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before performing any tests, I ran it at 80Wpc into 8 ohms for an hour. At the end of that time, the vents on its top panel were warmer than I'd anticipated for an amplifier with a class-D output, at 92.3°F (33.5°C), though this is cooler than would be expected for an amplifier with a conventional output stage. Because of it uses ICEpower class-D modules, all measurements of the nova300 were taken using Audio Precision's auxiliary AUX-0025 passive…