RRP $1,799

Peachtree Amplifiers

 

Peachtree is a stunning product for our digital times. Digitally stored music is now becoming the norm rather than the exception, but in the majority of cases it does not equate to performance. Most MP3 files are poor quality; even wav files played through your computer sound card are less than acceptable.

The Peachtree Nova integrated amplifier is an ideal solution, and should be considered if you are looking to improve computer-based or streaming audio to a ‘high-end’ performance level – or if you are simply looking for a high quality amp. This amplifier incorporates a high quality Digital/Analogue converter, a valve preamplifier and a high current power amp. It also features a slot in the rear which will house a Sonos ZP90 Zone Server.

The pre-amp section utilises a 6922 tube with a Class ‘A’ output stage. It has a total of eight inputs. 5 are digital (1 x USB, 2 x coax and 2 x digital) and 3 analogue. All digital inputs are transformer coupled to prevent unwanted interference getting into the digital input.

The power amplifier is a MOSFET design rated at 80watts per channel.

The most unique feature of the Nova is the onboard 24/96 up-sampling Digital-to-Analogue converter. Peachtree claims that this DAC will transform just about any digital source to the performance of a high-end CD player. This is an exceptional DAC, utilising 11 regulated power supplies and transformer coupling each digital stage so that noise associated with ground problems and switching power supplies is eliminated.

For the headphone user the Nova has a Class ‘A’ tube headphone amplifier, rivaling some of the best stand alone devices on today’s market.

In its own right the Nova is an excellent amplifier. Connect a CD player through one of the analogue inputs and you will see what we mean. This performance more than justifies the asking price of $1,799. Add the ability to transform digital music files and this is something of a bargain. If you are a Sonos user the Nova offers incredible value.

‘Consider this: the Nova can go toe-to-toe with the Benchmark on sonic grounds, offers more flexible inputs (3 analog and 5 digital for the Nova vs. the 1 analog and 5 digital for the Benchmark), comes with a remote control, and serves not only as a DAC/preamp/headphone amp but also as a full-on hybrid integrated amplifier’ – AVguide.com

‘The Nova is no mere integrated. It includes a converter which most competitors don't. To test the secret weapon, I switched to one of its digital inputs and let the Logitech Transporter supply the ones and zeros. While nothing in the previous paragraph turned sudden lie, sonic changes immediately manifested as deeper colors. Bass and treble gained presence, staging moved forward and also expanded laterally. Now there was more life in the music’ – 6Moons.com.

The Nova has now been joined by its smaller brother, the iDecco, which is billed as the world’s first ‘Tube Hybrid Integrated amplifier with a ‘Pure Digital’ iPod dock’.

This unit shares many of the properties of its larger sibling, it uses a valve pre-amp stage, it shares the same high quality headphone amplifier, and it boasts the same DAC.

Where it differs is in output – the iDecco has a 40 watt/channel power amp stage, and most noticeably, it has an iPod dock on the top. It is this dock, along with the quality of the in-built DAC, which sets this product apart from its competition. Most iPod docks operate via the analogue output of the iPod, using the iPod power supply, DAC and output stage. The iDecco accesses the digital content directly, which is fed to the on-board DAC. If your material has been recorded in an uncompressed format, your iPod can now perform to the levels of a CD player, and beyond.

As well as the iPod dock the iDecco has one analogue input and three additional digital inputs.

This is a great sounding and very versatile amplifier, selling for $1,499. It is ideal for small format systems where a good deal of your music is sourced from digital sources, be that an iPod, or more possibly, a computer or NAS drive. You can see a video presentation on YouTube right here.