Peachtree Nova

[Ara]

http://signalpathint.com/index.php/Nova/Introducing-Nova.html

 

Came across the Nova integrated amp with built in DAC at the above link. The claims of the DAC's performance with the ESS Sabre DAC seem pretty impressive, and for a recession price of $1200, it seemed too good to be true. Does anybody have any thoughts/experience on the ESS Sabre/Nova product?

 

 

 

 

[TKYR1967]

I have read about it and talked to David Solomon from Peachtree Audio about it. It sounds very impressive. I am going to order one when it becomes available.

 

H

 

[AVSGSLIU]

We are hosting a coming out party for the Ayre QB9 this Saturday at

http//www.avsouth.com

Peachtree is crashing the party by overnight shipment of their brand new Nova so we can demonstrate it to anyone interested. The more the merrier. I will be happy to post info for anyone interested.

 

George

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

I've been enjoying the Peachtree Audio Decco for the past 16 months as the heart of my home office system, along with ERA D5 mini monitors and using a 17" MacBook Pro with uncompressed AIF files as a source. The Decco, which has a Scott Nixon-designed 16/44.1 chip with no filters or oversampling, sounds fantastic. Since you can now find the Decco for $499 NEW (it was $899 for the piano black model when I bought one of the first ones), it qualifies as a genuine steal. The headphone jack sounds very good in it as well. Rumor has it that here is a Decco II in the works.

 

I've just ordered the Peachtree Audio Nova to replace my Decco, primarily because of the new ESS SabreDAC, higher power (80Wpc), and the improved internal headphone amp. To say I'm excited about receiving this new piece of gear would be an understatement. If it performs as well as I hope it will then there is a good chance I'll order another to replace my BAT VK300x SE integrated amp and Cullen Circuits upgraded PSA DLIII in my living room.

 

Of course, should I fall into some serious cash I would opt for the Sonic Studios Amarra system. A man can dream...

 

 

 

[hifitubes]

Chris,

 

I'm interested in the NOVA mainly for the DAC, as I use tube amps. This being a hybrid design in the amp section, how does it sound to you?

 

thanks

hifitubes

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

Tubes,

 

I'm getting the NOVA in this week and will report back soon. I have extremely high expectations and all the early feedback I've heard from its appearance at conventions has been very positive. Supposedly there are several units out for review and it's expected that the unit is going to garner raves and then the price will rise to $1,499. I'm glad I'm in at $1,199.

 

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've had the DECCO for 16 months and although the DAC is substantially different than the one in the NOVA, I've been extremely happy with the unit, not only the sound of the 16/44 DAC but the 50Wpc Class A/B amp, as well. Build quality is excellent and it has driven my era D5 mini-monitors and my Usher Be-718 monitors to perfection in my small office. Before they announced the NOVA I was going to purchase a Nelson Pass-designed First Watt F5 amp as an upgrade to the internal amp but decided to but the new NOVA with it's improved DAC. After I'm done playing with the stock unit for 12-18 months I'll probably look to add a new tube or solid-state amp as well.

 

Full report in a couple of weeks when the NOVA arrives!

 

Best,

Chris

 

 

 

[rom661]

Hey guys.

 

I have a couple of the Nova units coming my way. David Solomon is an old friend and he has bet dinner that it will outperform my A(cough)C DAC. It should be interesting. If it even comes close it will be interesting. And to make it all the more palatable (pun intended), David offered to buy, regardless.

 

I will let you know. Incidentally I don't actually know how the other DAC sounds yet. Break-in is supposed to be between 600 and 800 hours. I was a little skeptical but I'm at 300 now and it is still changing almost daily.

 

It's been so long since I posted I don't remember how I sign off...

 

How about just Rick?

 

[hifitubes]

I wish I could hook mine up. Sitting here in box, unopened, for almost a week! I do have speakers here, and with my monoblocks half stored, ready for sale, I need to just do it and see what this thing can do (after popping an Amperex 7308 of course ; )

 

hifitubes

 

[rom661]

With all due respect to Nike, just do it!

 

I would like to hear what you think. I hope it's a cool piece for the money.

 

[rgbyhkr]

I will be taking a listen to the Nova next week paired with a pair of B&W 805s and am looking forward to it. I also plan on bringing along some headphones (Senn 650, Denon 7000 and maybe my R10s) to see how good the headphone output is. I have learned from the guys at Peachtree that the new Pre-amp/DAC that the have in development (will be basically an upgraded Nova without the amp section) will use ESS's 32bit Sabre chips. For me, I think the Nova fits a pretty good little niche, especially for Sonos lovers.

 

Jeff

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

I've had the new Peachtree Nova in my office system for about a week now and I'm very impressed so far. It sounded great right out of the box but I expect improvement as it breaks in, if my experience with the Decco is any indication of what to expect.

 

For those interested, Chris Martens over at the AVGuide.com blog has posted a very positive preview of the new Nova as well. Check it out:

 

http://www.avguide.com/blog/first-look-peachtree-audio-nova-hybrid-integrated-ampusb-dac?src=Playback

 

Peachtree Nova; Usher Be-718's; MacBook Pro w/2TB ext HD; 33K AIFF files.

 

[keith]

I'm considering moving from my Rotel Amp/Pre-Amp/etc configuration to a Peachtree Nova to run my B&W 805's. What did you think when you listened to this combination? Should I run away, or go buy one today? (My reasons for the change is to (a) extend my sonos system to the room where my 805 are located, and (b) minimize the amount of audio gear in my living room (aka make my wife happy))

 

[hifitubes]

They will be coming out with a DAC/Pre (no amp) in mid-2010.

 

I love the NOVA and feed it with an external sound card; in turn, the NOVA sends to my tube amp (hifi) via the pre-out (variable), and sends to my outdoor speakers via the internal amp.

 

It really helped space-wise as I have little room for another receiver/amp for the outdoor.

 

So, I can't give you a full rundown on the onboard amp but it makes my Klipsch outdoor speakers rock. I love the DAC on my Eastern Electric amp and Omega full range drivers.

 

Check the avsforum thread as it has lots of info on the NOVA you won't find elsewhere.

 

[darascal]

I'm attracted to the computer + dac + tube pre + ss amp combination. I may be naive, but it seems somehow intuitive - balancing those 1's & 0's with tubes.

 

But I'm surprised at the speakers some of you are driving with these Peachtree units - Decco (50w) into era D5's, Nova into BW 805s or Usher Be-718's. I had the impression these speakers are a bit watt-hungry. I've been looking at the era's & came to the conclusion that they'd needed 90-120 watts to make them happy. Not true? Are y'all happy the amp/speaker chemistry?

 

Chris, what did you think of the era's? (Looks like you upgraded to the Ushers?) How were they at low volumes with the Decco? I'm not a bass hound - I'm wondering if the D4's might suit me better in a small space.

 

Personally, I've been looking at a combination of the Quad QC24 Tube Preamp + Parasound 2125 SS amp (I already own a Musical Fidelity V-DAC) for a small room. Any thoughts on that? After reading your posts, it seems like I might be insane for considering spending this (probably $1500) when I can grab a Decco or Nova (and get a DAC in the bargain) for less.

 

I am a little leary of all-in-one systems - I've just been evaluating the AVI ADM9.1's and will most likely return - a bit heavy for a small space. But I am curious about these peachie li'l units.

 

Thanks,

Rascal

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Great timing! Right now as I type this I am listening to the Nova with a pair of Verity Fidelio loudspeakers. Yes the tube is turned on :~) So far the sound is really enjoyable. I haven't have the unit long enough for critical comparisons. The trouble with all in one systems like the AVi is you have no upgrade path.

 

[darascal]

Saw a Nova on Audiogon. Which I passed up in favor of a Decco. Well, it was practically half the price of the Nova. Oh well, just hope it's not underpowered for the era D5's, which I also put a bid on. Their era's minimum power requirements lists at 50w, same as the Decco.

 

I like the idea of "budget audiophile" (oxymoron?) - I guess I can't go too wrong for ~1K.

 

Rascal

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

One of the many things I like about the Nova is that with two pre-amp outputs I can add an amplifier of choice to upgrade the sound. I still have my eyes on a used First Watt F5...

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

Rascal,

 

I ran the D5's with a Decco for over a year until I upgraded to the Nova and Usher Tiny Dancers. In short, the D5's sounded terrific with the Decco and the 50W never had a problem driving the D5's in my 200sq ft office.

 

My guess is you'll love the combo. If you're like me, you'll love it so much you'll eventually upgrade to the Nova, which sounds even better, has more inputs, more power and an even better headphone amp.

 

Chris

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

Keith,

 

I haven't heard the Nova with B&W 805's but I have two friends who replaced their entry-level Rotel gear with the Nova and have noticed an appreciable improvement in the sound of their systems. Add to that clear benefit that you can pop your Sonos unit right into the back of the Nova and you have a no-brainer purchase (IMHO). Good luck!

 

Chris

 

PS: I've become quite the Nova evangelist amongst my friends. I've literally sold 5 units via recommendations to friends who wanted a taste of what high end audio is all about while enjoying a real bang for the buck.

 

[darascal]

Thanks a lot for your comments, Chris. Yes, the Decco + era D5 does seem like a a nice starting point for those of use with earth-bound budgets. And your evangelism rubbed off a bit on me as well, since I was hesitant about the Decco/D5 pairing before reading your enthusiastic comments. I'm looking forward receiving these babies.

 

Btw, anyone have any recommendations on reasonably-priced speaker cables for the Decco into the D5's?

 

Gracias,

Rascal

 

[Chris_Johnsen]

Rascal,

 

A very affordable and excellent sounding option I suggest is Paul Speltz anti-cables. $10/ft and they sound great. A very nice "bang for the buck" option for your already great "bang for the buck" system. http://www.anticables.com/

 

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Cnewport]

I too decided the amp was the weakest part of the Nova and added a PS Audio Trio A-100. The improvement was immediate and dramatic. Where I used to listen at 50% volume to get anything that grabbed my attention out of the Nova - I'm now at 25% and the sound is much more engaging.

 

[hifitubes]

@ ROM661

 

How did the Nova DAC stack up against your other DAC?

 

[darascal]

I recently acquired a Decco + the era D5's. I love the sound, though it somewhat lacks the clarity & detail of my previous system (ADM9.1's), especially in the high-end. The bass produced is very strong and warm, though somewhat "mushy" (for lack of a better word).

 

Chris, when you upgraded to the Nova, did you listen to it with the D5's before upgrading to the Usher's? What were the sonic improvements that you noticed?

 

I'm also considering "downgrading" to the D4's (perhaps with a Nova) to have a gentler, more neighbor-friendly sound, for a smaller room (and perhaps keeping the D5's to pair with a higher-end DAC + integrated for my main listening room.) Anyone have experience with the Nova + era D4 combo? Any else have thoughts this?

 

Much thanks,

Rascal

 

[nyc4785]

anybody tried the Nova with Magnepans?