A next-generation integrated amplifier for digital and analog music lovers Peachtree Audio, a leader in high-end digital audio gear, raises the bar with its new generation of nova integrated amplifiers. I admit, I’ve owned or reviewed seemingly every type described, and then some. Optional Wi-Fi Module The nova 2.0 platform was designed to accommodate an internal Wi-Fi module, which is currently under development. In sharp contrast to the Brooklyn DAC we reviewed earlier this year, the Nova150 has no LCD to display volume or other information. Nova 150 The Integrated Amplifier Reimagined. More importantly, the music stayed clear, clean and the nova150 held complete control over the Magnepans. It is a very good looking integrated amp with high quality 32 bit/384k asynchronous 9018 Sabre DAC that plays DSD.The DAC is built around the 9018 ESS Sabre chip with a very sophisticated signal path. Simply, it removes the noise caused by the power source of the iOS device. Peachtree Audio is a brand for those in the know. This Peachtree Nova integrated amplifier offers redesigned ICEPower amplification to deliver 150W per channel of high-quality audio. The word “Peachtree” is nicely engraved dead-center. The Peachtree Nova 150 is an integrated 2 channel amplifier that may just suit your needs for pure, simple music enjoyment. The nova150 is a classic Peachtree design with one-piece titanium-finish faceplate and polished real wood cabinet. Other than at the end of the 220SE review that I wrote for TONEAudio wistfully asking for a phonostage , I thought Peachtree had created a holy grail. Peachtree's great-looking retro cosmetics round this amp off with black lacquer or ebony mocha lacquer cabinets. The current Nova 300 incorporates an ESS Reference 9018K2M Sabre DAC 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz … Link to post When Jim Spainhour of Peachtree Audio contacted me with an offer to review their new top-line amp500, no way was I going to turn down the opportunity. The five inputs are fed into a ESS Sabre32 DAC that can handle PCM (16-32bit, 44.1-384khz) and DSD (2.8224-5.6448mhz) files. It’s also the point where derision from those who don’t relate to our hobby like to inject verbal venom. A pristine copy of Chuck Mangione’s. The Peachtree nova150 is a definite finalist! Peachtree Audio is a company I usually think of as being “new.” But as I began work on a review of Peachtree’s most recent integrated amplifier, the decco125 Sky, I was reminded that they’ve been around for more than ten years. Especially when one is a reviewer. A line stage? Admittedly, I’m searching for the next generation of all-in-one integrateds to take me into downsizing phase of life. The Nova150 did its job but stays out of the way of the music. Only when this is done shoul, Speakers have a character. They can be precise, enveloping, dynamic, punchy, demanding, and sparkly, just to name a few. When I first heard that Peachtree Audio went all version 2.0 on the audio community I took pause. Staying musical in those movements where high current is instantly drawn upon is a hallmark of Peachtree’s class D amplification. Musical Fidelity A5 integrated amplifier, Simaudio HAD230 DAC, Simaudio LP5.3, Rega RP1 w/Ortofon Super OM40, Paradigm Prestige 75F, Magnepan 1.6, Cardas cables and interconnects, Shunyata Venom cords. The all-new design includes the change in source button lighting, from oval surrounding the button to a small blue LED just above. That seems to be just what Peachtree was thinking when they designed their new Nova 150 amplifier, later to be joined by the Nova 300 and Nova 500. One listen tells the story, the amazing colorful light of music against a black background. The front face is brushed aluminum with a single LED that rings the power button and glows red when off, and blue when powered on. In addition to volume and mute buttons, the remote allows input selection via the eight dedicated buttons. The Nova150 uses ESS’ Sabre 9018KM DAC which supports a wide range of music formats and resolutions up to a ridiculous 32-bit/384kHz. - A minor concern, but to me the Peachtree looks better; more svelte and modern, while the Yamaha simply looks dated. While component parts come fro, Tweaks. Those are three words difficult-to-drive speaker owners want to hear. It sounded "clean" with a wide soundstage and good definition in store, but then at home it didn't sound real or organic. But at this price point the nova150 is chalk full of value. The prevailing sound quality of Class D amplification has fully come to fruition and has been indisputably acknowledged by The Sound Advocate as being able to compete with the finest Class A/B amplifiers. It is designed and built in North America. While it may seem sacrilegious for the fan base, from a clarity standpoint the 88 to 111db jump in signal to noise measurement from the 220SE model makes logical sense. I do not think any other manufacturer recommends WIFI as the best option. It’s still an invaluable source when I change listening rooms. Let’s be clear, a wonderful listening experience begins and benefits most from proper speaker positioning. The desire to hear even more of what a pair of panel speakers can do gets the heart racing. Just add speakers. Whether playing Billy Joel’s “Allentown” thru KEF M500’s, or The Who’s. I was a bit disappointed to see a badge for the product name in the top right corner instead of carved word/numbers like the 300. This retro-futuristic design is one of the things we like most about the Nova150; it deserves to be displayed front-and-center, rather than stuffed into a cubby in a media center. This week, we’re looking at a stereo amplifier — a device that was, in our youth, hidden in A/V cabinets and, more recently, is slowly being challenged by soundbars and Bluetooth speakers. That module is in development and will be available for purchase by current owners. In less than two weeks the piano black oval-cased beauty was at my front door. At $1,699 in black & $1799.00 in Ebony Mocha the Nova 150 is a subperb value and our favorite under $2,000 integrated amp. This amplifier - our original Decco - was groundbreaking for its … Peachtree’s series of nova integrated amplifiers provide a special listening experience, regardless of the input source or listening method. I've owned several pieces of Peachtree Audio gear and have literally sold a half a dozen others to my close friends based on my word-of-mouth raves. The only thing missing is streaming software and or Roon integration. The Nova150 sounds clean, dynamic, and transparent as it should be. If you are new to the world of hifi, put the Peachtree Nova … The nova150 incorporates the latest generation of ICEPower amplification - with an impressive 150 watts per channel. They have entered into an arrangement with Bluesound to bundle Peachtree integrated amps with Bluesound Node 2i streaming devices. I've read ALL of the other reviews of this particular new unit, as I'm eager to ultimately replace my original Nova currently sitting in my rack, and am almost as disappointed as Mr. Solomon himself. We like the character of the Gloss Ebony Mocha model we received for testing, though it’s likely that the Piano Black version might “gel” better with other modern electronics. Lets travel back all the way to 2007 when Peachtree Audio introduced an integrated amplifier that immediately and forever changed the amplifier landscape. A tubed output buffer? The nova150 includes five digital sources: USB-A, USB-B, 2 Optical, and COAX. The Nova 300 is not simply an integrated amplifier. This amplifier - Peachtree's original Decco - was groundbreaking for its time. , the nova150’s preamp section with its Input/Output loop is something special beyond its $1599 price point. We have even reserved an input button on the front panel for it! Make it simple. The LSA brand is expanding into electronics, yet it’s heritage and DNA is sound and that means speakers. The Nova150 is available in piano black or a downright gorgeous ebony mocha wood finish, direct from the Peachtree Audio Web site or through its brick and mortar dealers for $1,599. It's loaded with streaming services, DLNA, and more. Significantly, the iOS input features Peachtree’s unique “Dynamic Noise Elimination Circuit” designed to circumvent the electrical noise that would otherwise plague these portable devices. Pushing the volume up to triple decibel levels playing Brahms, Beethoven, Mahler, and Tchaikovsky, the amplifier barely even registered any heating. … At the same time audiophiles were the first to hear a weird phenomena, later identified as jitter. Peachtree Nova 150 or 300? Peachtree gear made itself famous by being at the forefront of the multiple digital input wave. The LEDs serve a second purpose, slowly lighting up from left to right as the volume increases. I'm also anxiously waiting for Peachtree to release their WiFi module along with the possibility of another trade-in program. Recommended Posts ~Spyne~ ... +1 @blybo, I had a similar experience with the Nova 150. Review: Peachtree Nova150 Hi-Fi Amplifier, ‘Invite to Edit’ feature added to Adobe Fresco, Illustrator and Photoshop, LectroSound ASM1023-WE Sleep & Relax Soothing Noise Machine is 60% Off, Acquire a Cute ‘Kitty Ears’ Gaming Look with the Razer Kraken Kitty, Now 15% Off, US Spotify users get live Lyrics Beta Testing, Wistron promises ‘Back to Production’ status on India factory, VANKYO Performance V600 Native 1080P LED HDMI Projector is 32% Off, Get $21 off on the Razer BlackWidow V3 mechanical gaming keyboard, Qualcomm unleashes 5G modem with 10-gigabit capabilities. Like the 125 and 220SE, the nova150 holds excellent grip on difficult to drive speakers like the Magnepan 1.6’s. Their nova125 and 220SE integrated amplifiers impressed me to no end with a top notch pairing of build quality and musical performance. The Nova150 incorporates the latest generation of ICEPower amplification - with an impressive 150 watts per channel. If this is confusing you, drop the $50 and get Jim Smith’s excellent book, “Get Better Sound”. (See reviews our past reviews of the AVM CS2.2 and Wyred-for-Sound’s mINT integrated.. Though the Nova150’s inputs are impressive, its outputs are what really count — it is, after all, an amplifier. The five inputs are fed into a ESS Sabre32 DAC that can handle PCM (16-32bit, 44.1-384khz) and DSD (2.8224-5.6448mhz) files. "Peachtree has engineered a winner with the Nova 150. But, that’s a cosmetic, not a performance issue, so call it a miniscule negative. For those times where intimate listening is required, the nova150 provides a standard headphone jack. We listened to the Nova150 extensively using the optical, analog, and USB inputs, including straight out of our iPhone’s Lightning jack. High power amplifier. Peachtree Audio - Make it sound great, make it simple, make it beautiful. -. Like so much of the stereo gear from that era, the Nova150 has a plain aluminum panel on the front, panoply jacks on the rear, and a brown wood case; the only things missing are a pair of VU meters and an AM/FM radio dial. Share Followers 0. The nova150 includes five digital sources: USB-A, USB-B, 2 Optical, and COAX. with Sennheiser HD650’s, the nova150’s single piece solution will satisfy the loudest of listeners. Much like the phono stage it isn’t an afterthought but separate amplified section. It’s great when a device helps to justify its cost with lots of functionality, but even better when a jack-of-all-trades does all those things really well. More realistic for apartment dwellers, a borrowed pair of vintage Celestion SL6s bookshelves with their inefficient 84db 4 Ohm load proved no problem for the 150 wpc nova150. Now LSA has been around for a while, but now under the banner of Underwood HiFi and its Internet-direct sales model. Finally, having it built in North America for under $1600 is remarkable. No reposting of articles, only linking allowed. The roar of the lower brass instruments in the title anthem pumped out serious detail, well done! It includes a pair of speaker outputs that can accept banana plugs or bare wire; these are rated at 150 watts per channel and, impressively, compatible with speakers ranging from 2.5 ohms to 16 ohms. Peachtree is working on a new WiFi module that will internally upgrade any nova150, nova300, or nova500 to use its new wireless platform. Need a DAC with three S/PDIF inputs (two coax, one optical)? Good plan on Peachtree… Of course, for those who crave filament warmth a tube buffer can be added via the LOOP. The nova150 retains one of the sexiest curves in all of audio with the rounded sides encased in real wood ebony mocha veneer for the review piece or gloss black. Peachtree Audio Peachtree Nova 150 - Reviews And News. The speaker outputs easily drove a pair of 6 ohm speakers to room-shaking volumes without distortion, and the preamp outputs worked nicely with our active studio monitors. Surfant sur le succès du Peachtree Nova, la firme américaine Peachtree Audio renouvelle sa gamme et propose avec le Nova 125 une version plus musclée dédiée aussi bien aux musiques dématérialisées qu'aux sources analogiques.. Nitty-gritty details about the specifications of each of these outputs are available on Nova’s website. High-fidelity “computer audio" was born! The Nova150 was a pleasure to review — it’s exquisitely designed, powerful, clean-sounding, and versatile. WIFI has issues with dropouts, speed, and reliability, but mine is rock solid so I will investigate the Peachtree WIFI. We focused on the digital inputs, of course, because we wanted to see how the Nova150 sounds as a complete package. I have a Peachtree Nova 150 and I am interested in seeing how the new WIFI module is implemented. iLounge © 2001 – 2020. Don’t fret about the nova150 lacking WIFI, it isn’t an oversight. For 90% of owners the key is owning the one set of speakers that best meets their overall personal taste. Make it beautiful. The shape means that the widest point of the cabinet is not the front baffle at 8 inches, but actually a thi. Having asked for a phono input, it’s best to start there. By ~Spyne~, June 5, 2017 in Product Hire and Loan. If anything negative could be said about the Nova150’s physical design, it’s that the high-gloss finish will likely be more susceptible to fingerprints and scratches; the care it demands can serve as a reminder that this amplifier isn’t just a commodity. The nova150 checks off virtually every category one could want. The Peachtree Nova 150 and 300 will both provide adequate power. If you’re using the Nova150’s USB inputs, track controls are passed through to your PC or Mac as well. The open top end of my reference Paradigm Prestige 75F’s did have a bit more sparkle, but were never harsh or fatiguing. An asynchronous USB DAC? Peachtree Audio's nova150 nova300 and deepblue2 have been tested many times by the biggest testers, with outstanding results. As I very much want this to be a desktop unit, the smaller the better. All Rights Reserved. - The Peachtree is smaller, both in dimensions and in weight. Thankfully, the last ten years have brought speaker performance up a full level across all price points making the reward all the better. In 2007 Peachtree Audio introduced a groundbreaking integrated amplifier that changed the amplifier landscape. Giving it the ability to be so musical is excellent engineering. Peachtree gear made itself famous by being at the forefront of the multiple digital input wave. I've seen what the platform looks like and it's very nice. They are the antithesis of the ’90s dull black box on an A/V rack, with impressive functionality and clean power. Add in proper room acoustic dampening items (panels, traps, area rug, a plant or two, etc.). Granted, over the years there’s been some rather “out there” tweaks, such as the infamous magic marker on cd’s. The incoming signal “bypasses” the Nova150’s volume control, instead allowing the home theater receiver to control the volume of the speakers connected to the Nova150; the Nova150 essentially turns into a dedicated power amplifier. Though Sabre DACs have had a reputation in the past for sounding harsh, that certainly isn’t true in this implementation. Combining a high power amp, preamp, DAC, and phono in a footprint just over 14 inches wide by 13.25 deep is no small feat. If/when that happens I'd consider upgrading to a Nova 300 or 500 with WiFi (the 500 is fully-balanced and has a better DAC than the 150 … At first glance, you’d almost think the Nova150 was a well-maintained amplifier from the mid-20th century. The Peachtree Audio Nova 300 is the step from the Nova 150 .It is in our opinion the best value in the line with a 300 watt per channel power amplifer. A great system means little if the speakers are crammed into a corner, shoved against a wall, trapped between cabinets, or stuck in a space with all hard reflective surfaces. Peachtree Nova 150 or 300? After a few weeks with the Nova150 — Peachtree’s midrange model — all we can say is that we’re sad to see it go. The Nova150’s included remote is very good. When adjusting volume, the eight source LEDs light up to show volume level, and long-pressing any of the input buttons can toggle “volume control bypass” mode (more on that later). You've got them all for $1499. We would be willing to trade some of its minimalism for extra control — the volume level indicators aren’t user friendly, and we would have liked the ability to toggle muting of the preamp outputs when both passive and active speakers are connected — one more button wouldn’t have ruined the design. Peachtree Audio announced, today, that they are basically ending their wifi module project for their nova line of integrated amps. After initial setup, adjusting the volume is perhaps the primary way that users will interact with the Nova150 — there’s no need to keep the volume level so hidden. . To improve the signal to noise a sacrifice had to be made, the way-cool built-in tube buffer with its display window on the front panel was retired. Though this setup keeps the interface clean, we think it may go a bit too far — there’s no way to tell exactly what volume level the Nova150 is at without changing it, and the number of steps between the LEDs seem to vary depending on where you are in the volume range. We appreciate the extra attention given to iOS devices, as it signals to us that Peachtree wants to excel with traditional formats but also embrace the way that people listen to music in 2017.