Peachtree Audio novaPre and Peachtree220

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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12093" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/peachtree-audio-novapre-and-peachtree220/attachment/1-76/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12093" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/193.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="300" /></a>Peachtree Audio burst on the scene in 2007 with its Decco integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and onboard USB input, which was somewhat of a novelty at the time but has since become ubiquitous.* It also has another fun feature: a vacuum tube in the preamplifier section that is visible through a glass window on the front panel, which breaks up an otherwise plain-looking case and combines design elements from audio’s past and present.* The success of the reasonably priced Decco—Peachtree sells refurbished versions of the original Decco for $499—led to a broader product line and contributed highly to the viability of a new renaissance of integrated amplifiers with built-in DACs. *Here, Peachtree was clearly a trendsetter.</strong></p>

<p>Peachtree’s products combine stateside engineering and design talent with overseas manufacturing efficiencies.* It has grown its initial dealer-direct model to include an extensive dealer network to help support the company’s expanding product line.* Two of the newest additions to the lineup are the $999 novaPre and the $1,399 Peachtree220 power amplifier reviewed here.* The company has also moved further upmarket with its Grand series, which thus far comprises an integrated amplifier and a preamplifier.* We’ll explore these at a future date.</p>
<p><strong>A Quick Tour</strong></p>
<p>The novaPre features four digital inputs and an analog input, so those wishing to incorporate an analog source are not left out in the cold.* There are two single-ended RCA outputs, both with variable peak levels so that a powered subwoofer can be used, which is particularly useful for those employing a sat/sub system.* The Peachtree220 is a powerful Class-D amplifier, with 220 watts per channel into an 8-ohm load that almost doubles to 400 watts per channel when going into a 4-ohm load.* The review samples arrived with a beautiful rosewood finish.* (They are also available in high-gloss-black and cherry-wood finishes. Cherry is standard, rosewood and black a $100 upcharge.)</p>
<p>Fit and finish is impressive and build quality is at the top of the chart, with perhaps the only inconvenience being that the RCA jacks are a bit close together, which limits your choice of interconnect cables to ones with svelte connectors.* My reference cables from Kimber and Transparent just made it, but some others with large plugs may not. *Setting up the Peachtree combo has a low degree of difficulty. *Eschewing the stock power cords for a pair of Shunyata Venom cords adds a cost-effective bump in sound quality.</p>
<p>The novaPre’s digital inputs feed an ESS Sabre DAC capable of handling 24-bit/192-kHz data.* One of the digital inputs is the ubiquitous asynchronous USB, along with S/PDIF coaxial and TosLink inputs. *The novaPre’s optical input is limited to 24-bit/96-kHz data, while those from most others handle 24-bit/192-kHz data.* In addition to the variable line-level outputs, there is a headphone jack on the front panel. *The tube in the window remains, but now a 6N1P replaces the 6922 of the original Nova, and can be included in or out of the circuit with the flip of a switch.* In this case, it acts as a buffer stage—handy when a bit of tube warmth is really needed.* The 6N1P is a very reliable tube, but does not encourage tube rolling, as there are few variations on this one.* Oddly, the novaPre only features single-ended RCA outputs, while the companion power amplifier has a pair of balanced XLR inputs.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12094" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/peachtree-audio-novapre-and-peachtree220/attachment/2-74/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12094" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/286.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="289" /></a>Good First Impressions</strong></p>
<p>The Peachtree gear breathes life into familiar reference tracks as well as new favorites.* Marc Johnson’s latest ECM collaborative album with pianist Elaine Elias, called <em>Swept Away</em>,<em> </em>is a perfect example.* The natural elegance of the arrangements is reminiscent of Bill Evans—full of tonal color and richness.* Piano and acoustic bass are always tough to reproduce convincingly, especially on an amp and preamp with a lower MSRP than a pair of premium interconnects.* Particularly impressive was the Peachtree combo’s ability to control the lower frequencies, rendering the full-bodied, woody texture of Johnson’s bass lines, with no overhang into the midrange. *This only improves as the gear racks up listening hours.</p>
<p>Staying in the ECM groove, next up is Anouar Brahem, the Tunisian master of the oud, which is a Middle-Eastern variation on the lute.* Brahem’s recordings vary in texture, with accompaniment including saxophone, accordion and flute. *The Peachtree pair exhibited an overall smoothness and pace in capturing these exotic melodies and rhythms, which became simply hypnotic the longer I listened. *When mixed in with the other exotic instruments, the oud provides a true test of resolution that the Peachtree gear easily passed.</p>
<p>While I was drawn to recorded acoustic music, I also wanted to give the Peachtree gear a chance to rock out. *Texas singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham just released his fourth album, <em>Tomorrowland</em>, which is a more straight-ahead rock effort.* His previous outings were laced with Southwestern flavors, country and blues. *Bingham lets loose on this new self-produced and self-released recording. *He is pissed off and he wants you to know it.* The politically charged lyrics are perfectly underscored by the Stones-esque hard-charging backing.* The Peachtree duo did not falter in any way, providing plenty of the necessary drive and energy.</p>
<p><em>I Believe</em> by the great ’90s band Spain was the last disc that crystallized what the Peachtree combo is all about: nuance.* The band’s music is filled with deep emotional content, played at downbeat tempos, and finely textured. *The Peachtree gear allowed all the emotion in these beautifully layered compositions to shine through brilliantly, especially on tracks like “She Haunts My Dreams” and “Born To Love Her.”</p>
<p>Moving on, now using the novaPre as straight preamplifier, with a Marantz CD player connected to the Peachtree’s analog inputs, I heard much of what I heard with sources connected to the digital inputs.* I found the novaPre to be rather straight up, with bad recordings not at all flattered. *Mumford & Sons new album <em>Babel</em> is somewhat brittle sounding, which is exactly what comes through the novaPre. *On the other hand, U2’s classic track “Please,” from the band’s <em>Pop</em> album, is big and bold, with plenty of drama and a warmer overall sound that the novePre rendered with equal fairness.* Regardless of musical choice, the novaPre neither embellished nor detracted from familiar music.</p>
<p>This writer preferred keeping the tube in the signal path, so I kept it engaged most of the time. The difference is subtle but obvious. *Engaging the tube adds an organic ease and additional harmonic complexity to the presentation.* Of course, your preferences will vary depending on your taste and the rest of the system, but it’s nice to have the option.</p>
<p><strong>Born for Each Other</strong></p>
<p>Both units worked flawlessly in my system during the review period. *My only complaint is a minor one: *I wish the volume steps at the lower settings were more nuanced via the remote control. *One tap brought it from conversation level to total silence. *It would have been nice to have a wider gradation, as with the volume control on the front panel.</p>
<p>The integrated amplifier with onboard DAC is a category that continues to become more popular as more music lovers turn to their computer as a source component—and the novaPre is a prime example.* Mating it to the companion Peachtree220 power amp makes for easy one-stop shopping.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12095" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/peachtree-audio-novapre-and-peachtree220/attachment/3-61/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12095" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/374.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="285" /></a>Additional Listening</strong></p>
<p>By Jeff Dorgay</p>
<p>With an admitted bias <em>against </em>Class-D amplifiers, I was smitten with the Peachtree220 when I first heard it early this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, where the Peachtree folks were using a pair of Aerial 7T speakers to showcase their latest products.* For those unfamiliar with the Montis, this is not a particularly easy speaker to drive, as it presents relatively low impedance at high frequencies, which more often than not throws both tube and Class-D amplifiers a curve.</p>
<p>The Peachtree combo proved a formidable partner for the Montis, and I would have easily believed Peacthree front man David Solomon if he had he told me that these two boxes cost twice as much.* They gripped the Logans with aplomb, casting a huge soundstage combined with a smooth high end—impressive.</p>
<p>Before sending these two pieces to Andre for review, I made it a point to try both the 220 amp and novaPRE here with the variety of different speakers that I have at my disposal—and they passed all tests with flying colors.* Even a couple of the more difficult speakers in my arsenal (the B&W 802D and the Magnepan 1.7) were no problem, so whatever you might be using, rest assured, the Peachtree220 will be up to task.</p>
<p>The novaPre proved equally flexible, whether using the Sooloos music server, Mac mini or an old Denon CD player as a digital source, with everything from MP3s to the latest offerings from HDtracks.</p>
<p>Two words sum up this combination: value and refinement.* In a world full of five- and even six-figure components, these separates from Peachtree offer mega performance at a modest price, allowing the creation of great music system on a tight budget.* I am happy to award them both one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2012.</p>
<p><strong>Peachtree novaPre and Peachtree220 power amplifier</strong></p>
<p>MSRP:* $999 (novaPRE); $1,399 (Peachtree220)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/">www.peachtreeaudio.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="2"><tr><td>Streamer</td>
<td>Squeezebox Touch</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>DAC</td>
<td>Musical Fidelity V-DAC II</td>
</tr><tr><td>CD Player</td>
<td>Marantz CD5003</td>
</tr><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Boston Acoustics M25</td>
</tr><tr><td>Integrated Amplifier</td>
<td>McIntosh MA6600</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Cables</td>
<td>Transparent MM2 Plus * *Kimber Hero Ag * *QED Genesis Silver Spiral * Shunyata Venom</td>
</tr></tbody></table>

[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/peachtree-audio-novapre-and-peachtree220/]
 
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