Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

[Κώστας Φ.]

Το ανοίγω εδώ γιατί ενώ μιλάμε για "hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC" η συζήτηση τελικά περιστρέφεται γύρω από το κομμάτι του DAC... Γιατί άραγε; :144:

A product I’ve been working on with an eye toward writing a future AVguide/Playback review is Peachtree Audio’s new Nova hybrid-integrated amplifier/USB DAC ($1199).

...

• 80Wpc stereo hybrid integrated amplifier
• Class A vacuum tube-powered (using a 6922 tube) preamplifier with variable outputs (or solid-state only fixed outputs)
• Class A vacuum tube-powered headphone amplifier
• Solid state, “remote switching” DAC with 24-bit/96kHz upsampling and five digital inputs (1 x USB, 2 x coax, 2 x optical).

Παρακάτω διαβάζουμε ότι το DAC που φοράει είναι το ESS 9006 Sabre...
Ξενέρα. Όχι μόνο δεν είναι το 32άρι 9018 αλλά ούτε καν το προηγούμενο 9008 που φοράει το Buffalo.
Όμως...

The DAC section of the Nova, for instance, is particularly good—so much so that you would be perfectly justified in buying the Nova purely to use it as a DAC. I spent a fair amount of time “drag-racing” the Nova vs. the critically acclaimed Benchmark Media DAC1 Pre and found that, though the two units are slightly different in overall sonic character, they are essentially very competitive with one another. This fact, I feel, helps underscore what a great value the Nova represents.
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 (you have to step up to the more expensive DAC1 HDR to get a Benchmark with a remote), and serves not only as a DAC/preamp/headphone amp but also as a full-on hybrid integrated amplifier—all for about $395 less than the price of the Benchmark. Even if you prefer the sound of the Benchmark (and make no mistake, a very solid sonic case could be made for either of these units), there’s no denying that the Nova offers terrific performance and flexibility for your hard-earned money. Watch for the upcoming AVguide/Playback review.

Πηγή: avguide.com

Άρα δεν κουφαθήκαμε 5 άτομα που ακούσαμε το Buffalo (που φοράει το 9008) να παίζει καλύτερα από το DAC1.. Good to know. :116:

 

[Costas Coyias]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

Όμορφη κατασκευή. Αυτό το μπλε led κάτω από τη λάμπα να μην είχε...

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[costas EAR]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

μπα, εμένα αυτό μου άρεσε περισσότερο!
εσείς βέβαια, που δε σας αρέσει, μπορείτε και να το βγάλετε....

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Κι άλλο review-δάκι, το ίδιο συμπέρασμα.

Conclusion

My goal for this test was to assess the audiophile ambitions of Peachtree's Nova. I'm somewhat hard pressed to issue a definitive judgment since there are really two souls living in its breast. As integrated with integral DAC, it's a very solid but not extraordinary machine. Extraordinary however is the inbuilt converter. My suggestion would be to view the Nova foremost as a statement DAC which just so happens to also power loudspeakers directly.

Teamed with a Sonos ZP80, you'd have a first-class network player whose final bill of ca. €1,700 clocks in below the Transporter's €2,000 sticker. The Nova then throws into the bargain a stereo integrated or quality line-stage. That makes the Nova commendable not merely as entry into multimedia music playback. In the presence of a PC, the Nova is converter and amp.

An upgrade path to go independent of the computer will be a dedicated network server whose audiophile aspirations needn't be steep as the Nova's ESS Sabre will crunch the numbers; and an eventual uncompromised integrated or quality active loudspeakers to fully match the Sabre's peal potential.

Viewed in that light, I can recommend the Peachtree Nova most highly.

Full Review: 6moons.com (αναδημοσίευση από fairaudio.de)

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Πάντως αν αυτό είναι "Statement DAC" τότε δεν ξέρω τι είναι τα DAC που ετοιμάζουμε εδώ κάτω... :144:

 

[themiloc]

Αναφέρεται κάπου άν περνάει 24/96 από το USB?

 

[Costas Coyias]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

Να ρωτήσω κι εγώ κάτι; Αυτός ο άδειος χώρος με τις γρίλλιες από κάτω, γιατί είναι; Παίρνει και φούρνο μικροκυμάτων;

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Αναφέρεται κάπου άν περνάει 24/96 από το USB?

Χμμ, δεν πρόσεξα κάτι τέτοιο αλλά το πιθανότερο είναι όχι..
Δεν είναι και καμία επαναστατική ή "ψαγμένη" συσκευή άλλωστε.
Απλά είχαν την τύχη/γνώση/έμπνευση να βάλουν ένα πολύ καλό DAC chip στο κομμάτι του D/A γι'αυτό και το συγκεκριμένο κομμάτι της συσκευής μονοπωλεί τα θετικά σχόλια.

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Kι άλλο review, από το avguide αυτή τη φορά...

To συμπέρασμα:

BOTTOM LINE:

The Peachtree Audio Nova is a versatile, well-conceived and well-executed product that fulfills a number of roles with astonishing refinement, polish and panache.

Do the math: the Nova would be well worth its asking price, whether evaluated as an accomplished hybrid integrated amplifier or as a high-end audio DAC. But the fact that the Nova plays both roles at once makes it a bargain—and a platform we can confidently recommend as a foundational element for use in very good, yet still sensibly-priced, high end audio systems.

OVERVIEW

Consider this amplifier/DAC if: you value sonic refinement, versatility, and value in roughly equal measure. The Nova makes an ideal starting point for those looking to build seriously good yet also sensibly priced high-end audio systems, and it provides a DAC section good enough for use in very high-end systems. The key to the Nova is that it combines multiple functions, each of which is a strong performer in its own right, but which together add up to a stunning value. For about the price of a good integrated amp, the Nova is all that and so much more.

Look further if: you have power-hungry, low-impedance, or otherwise hard-to-drive loudspeakers (e.g., Magnepans). The 80Wpc Nova amp is pretty stout, but not that stout…

Ratings (relative to comparably priced integrated amps)

• Treble: 10
• Midrange: 9
• Bass: 8
• Soundstaging: 10
• Dynamics: 9
• Value: 10

Ratings (relative to comparably priced DACs)

• Design & Features: 10
• Tonal Balance: 8
• Timbral Purity: 10
• Detail & Resolution: 9
• Imaging/Soundstaging: 9
• Dynamics: 9
• Value: 10

Ενώ για τη σύγκριση με τα προϊόντα της Benchmark, αναφέρουν:

I compared the Nova side-by-side with Benchmark Media’s critically acclaimed and award-winning DAC1 Pre ($1595) and found the Nova was thoroughly competitive with its more expensive counterpart, though the two DACs each offered a somewhat different take on the music.

The competing DACs are about equal in overall resolution, though I would say the Nova enjoys a slight edge in handling upper midrange ad treble details while the Benchmark offers an equally slight edge in bass definition and solidity. The Benchmark is arguably the cleaner sounding and more neutrally voiced of the two (owing to its superior bass), but it has a somewhat flatter and more dry-sounding sound, while the Nova has a warmer, more three-dimensional and more dynamically expressive presentation.

Personally, I would have a tough time choosing between the two, which speaks volumes for how good the Nova DAC really is. But for many prospective buyers, I suspect the tiebreaker will be that the Nova offers better versatility and greater overall value vis-à-vis the Benchmark. Here’s why. The Nova costs roughly $400 less than the Benchmark, offers comparable though arguably more flexible features (the Nova offers three analog inputs compared to the Benchmark’s one) and incorporates an 80 Wpc hybrid integrated amp (whereas the Benchmark is a DAC/headphone amp/preamp only). Advantage, Peachtree Audio.

Περισσότερα: avguide.com

 

[gstriftos]

Re: Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

Να ρωτήσω κι εγώ κάτι; Αυτός ο άδειος χώρος με τις γρίλλιες από κάτω, γιατί είναι; Παίρνει και φούρνο μικροκυμάτων;

Λένε ότι χωράει zone players της Sonos(αυτό:http://www.sonos.com/whattobuy/ZP90/)

 

[nikosxeng]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

καλά τι μηχάνημα είναι αυτό παιδιά, πολύ καλό.

 

[g.kar]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

Πολύ κιτς, αλλά για την επαρχία μια χαρά είναι

 

[nikosxeng]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

βασικά ειναι πολλά τα λεφτα, γενικά,
οχι για αυτά που κάνει.
ναι εδω θα νομίζουν οτι ειναι διαστημοπλοιο..

 

[nikosxeng]

Απάντηση: Peachtree Audio Nova hybrid integrated amp/USB DAC

παρουσιαση στα Ελληνικά
http://www.avmentor.gr/peachtree_nova.htm