Thread: Peachtree Grand Integrated

I heard this fairly new piece of equipment last week playing cd from a Rega player and connected to Maggie 1.7's. Very pleasing system.

I think these all in one type integrated amps with internal dacs will appeal to some non-audiophiles looking for excellent sound in an easy space saving package and will help drive computer audio increasingly into the mainstream.

While $5000 is not cheap, it's probably not crazy for what the peachtree unit does, and the peachtree unit compared quite favorably to the Wadia 151 (which I own), albeit for an additional $4000.

No appeal to audiophiles? Because it is a one box solution?

I understand that some people want to choose and match separates; but audiophiles shouldn't reject one box solutions out of hand. There is no reason to think that something like the grand integrated couldn't sound much better than separates that total anywhere near its' price. It is 4 devices in one box, after all.

If that's true, then there aren't such good reasons to prefer separates, other than some entrenched audiophile prejudices.

With respect firedog, "appeal to some non-audiophiles" is not the same as "[of] no appeal to audiophiles".

Eloise

Eloise, you are correct. But it can't be denied that many audiophiles reject electronics that aren't separates as a matter of course.

I actually prefer an integrated. Not as useful to a reviewer, but to a consumer, they offer a chance to be far more affordable. One less power cord, one less interconnect, no issues about synergy or system matching. Skadoosh.

I think the new Peachtrees are very interesting, but I think what's more objectionable to the audiophile is the fact that they're Class D. And EVERYONE KNOWS that Class D sucks. Rolled bass, rolled highs, "digital sounding", blah blah blah.

And this is why the Peachtree is interesting. They use the new B&O "X-modules" that, to all reports, sound quite different from your run-of-the-mill Class D amps (whatever that would be).

I heard the Grand Integrated at RMAF, running a pair of big Sonus Faber speakers, and I was quite taken with the sound. Big, expansive, powerful, dynamic, blah blah blah. Everything I expected those big speakers to sound like, well, they did.

I'd love to get my greedy little mitts on one, actually. I bet it'd drive the piss out of my big Maggies.

Originally Posted by babak147

Im also interested in Peachtree grand integrated, Anyone actually has any opinion , personal experience, AB comparison ?

I had an in home Demo of a Grand Pre, I ordered one at the end of the Demo. The Pre and Integrated are very closely related.

Here is the thread I started: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/th...tree-Grand-Pre

Originally Posted by babak147

I actually have read your thread multiple times, it may be the only legit review online ( that I know of) , Considering the fact that its a sold out product and you should preorder it , its strange that there are not more reviews out there.
I was wondering how it compare to other DACs like Berkeley Audio Alpha DAC or other worthy DACS.
I was also wondering how Amp performs specially with more demanding speakers and higher end speakers which reveal even small audio imperfections.
Thank you anyway.

You may have seen this already, but just incase here it is: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/co...011-Show-Notes

Originally Posted by Socrates7

II bet it'd drive the piss out of my big Maggies.

Given what the dog did to the living room carpet in the last year of his life, I am not so sure this would be a great thing.

Originally Posted by Socrates7

I think the new Peachtrees are very interesting, but I think what's more objectionable to the audiophile is the fact that they're Class D. And EVERYONE KNOWS that Class D sucks. Rolled bass, rolled highs, "digital sounding", blah blah blah.

And this is why the Peachtree is interesting. They use the new B&O "X-modules" that, to all reports, sound quite different from your run-of-the-mill Class D amps (whatever that would be).

I think they took a really bold leap doing this, and I think people will eventually come around to recognizing that having an energy-efficient amp that sounds good is a very sound investment (pun intended). Having an amp that doesn't melt the glass on the front of my cabinet, and consumes electricity sparingly, is as important to me as good sound. If this sounds as good as my Class D amp, I would be happy, but my guess is that it is much better (after all, it wasn't assembled by an incompetent like me).

I look to Peachtree as a company that will dominate the "sane" high-end audio market.

Hi chg - The internal USB to SPDIF converter we chose for the Grand Series unfortunately requires drivers. We chose it because it's the one we liked the sound of best. At the time there wasn't a plug and play solution that we liked as well so we decided to suffer through the driver necessity. We are working on a driverless plug and play solution for Grand that should be done by the fall, maybe a bit sooner.

Originally Posted by wgscott

I look to Peachtree as a company that will dominate the "sane" high-end audio market.

I love this. Sane high-performance? Sane and high-end might be an oxymoron.

Originally Posted by chg

Well, I wouldn't be so sure about that, they are assembled in China.

Grand Series is assembled in the U.S.A. although parts like the chassis and tube buffer are made in the P.R.C.

It will be upgradable. I'm not sure yet if it will be hardware or software based but existing owners will definitely be able to update/upgrade their units when it is made available.
No plans for black.

Originally Posted by Jon Derda

It will be upgradable. I'm not sure yet if it will be hardware or software based but existing owners will definitely be able to update/upgrade their units when it is made available.
No plans for black.

That is good to hear, thank you for the reply.

Originally Posted by Jon Derda

I love this. Sane high-performance? Sane and high-end might be an oxymoron.

I was thinking (relatively) sanely-priced...

Originally Posted by haujobb

Hi Guys,

any owner here who have replaced their existing Grand Pre / Integrated Tenor USB board with the new XMOS board ? Will it improve sound quality or is it just an improvement in terms of driverless Mac connectivity ? The replacement is unfortunately not just a plug and play procedure as additional soldering work is necessary on the mainboard as well.

Thanks in advance
Tom

HI there. I actually spoke to Jon Derda himself in person just a few days ago about this because my Grand Pre has not been upgraded yet. I was hesitant because I did not know if the change would affect the sound. According to Jon the switch to the XMOS board does in fact change the sound but just slightly. The changes are, according to Jon, that the sound becomes a bit more natural and the highs lose some "zip" while remaining very natural and great sounding.