Thread: Peachtree GaN400 incoming

Have been reading about amps using GaNFETs with interest; more audio makers seem to be diving in, and the reviews have been very good. AGD's model are appealing to me specs-and-looks-wise, but the price point is a stretch.

In fact, I wasn't planning on replacing my Cherry Maraschino monos, which use a proprietary class D design. But then I heard about Peachtree's trade-in program, and impulsively went for it. It'll be a somewhat affordable way to hear GaN tech for myself. Plus, it looks nice (to me). I'm getting the limited edition ash finish.

More later, after they arrive, but for now a couple pics I found online

Looking forward to seeing your thoughts. Those new modules are really good, congratulations!

Thanks. Don't know who makes the modules... Peachtree doesn't specify as far as I know. But it's more about implementation I suppose, and the GaN400 amp was supposedly in development for over a year.

AGD apparently has their own exclusive version. But there will probably be a variety to pick from soon: Wyred, Mytek, Orchard, Technics, LSA...

How would you describe the sound of the Cherries? I see them on another forum but have neverheard them.

Ever tried a Coda power?

I haven't tried Coda power amps although I have their pre. The pairing would be really good, I'd imagine.

Compared to many here, I've had limited experience with amp variety, but I would say the Cherries were detailed and neutral.

ClassDAudio has a GaN model available right now for cheap, $750 ...

Mini GaN 5 Balanced Power Amplifier

^ Yes, just saw reference to this today, after posting. Wasn't familiar with the company before. Probably the most affordable way to try GaN.

Originally Posted by Feanor

ClassDAudio has a GaN model available right now for cheap, $750 ...

Mini GaN 5 Balanced Power Amplifier

For the slightly technically inclined ..

What is striking to me is the tiny size of the 200 wpc amplifier module. This pic from CDA shows a single board that can be described as "minute". I.e. consider that is it is 2 channel, has the input connectors, and apparently everything but the power supply ...

I picked up the Class D Audio amp when it was $699. In my case, it was bought strictly for HT as I need something to drive my Thiel 3.7s. My (Modwright LS36.5 DM) preamp does have HT Bypass but I'm using my current amp in balanced mode so for me it is just swapping speaker cables in back of the speakers. I did break the Class D amp in using a secondary system (ran it for about 8 days). The system is my UHD system where I have old (originally bought them in 1997) B&W P6s as mains. I have a Sherbourn preamp and a Mivera SE class D amp in there as well. I did listen a bit but did not do detailed comparisons (the Class D Audio amp suits my needs well as probably within the next year I'll be getting an ultra short throw projector in the main system and the size is great and it is connected to the pre-outs of my Onkyo 3100 receiver, including the DC trigger). The listening was mainly done with my Panasonic 9000 listening to files from the NAS. The Class D Audio was nice. A friend of mine listened as well. I can't say that it is better (or worse) than the Mivera but it certainly was in the same general category and a great value at its price point.

I just swapped a who bunch of things around in secondary systems (bought Vanatoo Transparent One Encores for the desktop, which I had the opportunity to hear at the Florida Audio Expo a couple of years back - thanks Mike and the rest of the show owners) and moved the huge (too big for the desktop) Selah Audio bookshelves (RIP Rick Craig of Selah Audio where it has been reported he passed away in the last week - became aware of his brand at a Capital Audiofest show about a decade back - shows are wonderful for getting to hear and see so many things in one place) and NuPrime IDA-8 to another system and that sounds great in there.

The amp has nearly two weeks of run time, so I consider it broken in. It's been fed a continuous stream of music except for a brief moment around the 24 hour mark, when I swapped out the stock PC for an XLO Ref 3 (used, but new to me).

First, just want to note a couple things: the color in product pics online is a serious misrepresentation. Second pic is the unit I received.







At first I thought I got the wrong one; but this is the limited edition ash. Was expecting a kind of grey-washed stain look, but it's more like walnut. A bit bummed, as the rest of my gear is silver, but it's not a big deal, and at least the faceplate is metal.
Second, it runs warmer than I expected. Not alarming or burn-your-hand hot but those top vents are there for a good reason. I adjusted my flexi rack to give it more space. Again, not a big deal.


I'm not good at audio-speak, and I'm not the kind who's heard the kind of jaw-dropping, night and day differences that some have experienced when changing gear. It's always been fairly subtle and incremental with the system changes I've made.

One track I often use to test new gear is The Emperor's New Clothes by Sinead O'Connor, which starts with sharp drumstick cracks, followed by a kind of chugging sound, which I assume is a processed / modified guitar. This chugging sound can sound muddy and indistinct if the system isn't fast enough. The GaN400 played it, (and the drumsticks) as clearly as I've heard.

In fact, drums sounds are something I especially noticed... the brushed drums that open Goat Girl by Tanya Donelly were in-the-room convincing.


Since I traded my Cherry monos, I can't do a direct comparison. Those amps were also fast and detailed; I would say the GaN400 is incrementaly more so. Can't say for sure if there's any real difference in bass quality. Staging and dimensionality are on par, or maybe a little better.
I did hear some subtle sounds in familiar tracks that I hadn't noticed before, although some sounds I knew and was expecting seemed slightly less pronounced... everything is a trade-off. Which is the more accurate rendition? This amp won't smooth over bad recordings, but good ones sound great. Low-level listening is very good.

The GaN400 has more power than the Cherries. With my Coda 07x pre, I would have to up the volume to around 20 to wake up the Cherries, and get any sound. With the Peachtree, I can dial down to 00 and still sound comes through the speakers, which is a little bizarre. (Muting the Coda does silence it.)

I think there is slightly more tweeter hiss with the Peachtree. It's still small, and I can't hear it from the listening position, but the Cherries were quieter when putting an ear up to the speakers. The Benchmark AHB2 I had a while ago was really silent.

I still want to play around with the limited choices I have here in power and speaker cables, and see if there are more improvements possible.