Anyone get a chance to listen to the Peachtree Grand pieces at RMAF (or elsewhere)?

I'm looking for a dac/amp that'll do 24/192 over USB and this appears to be a contender.

The design intrigues me because it permits user selectable signal routing via tubes or SS.

I'm open to other hardware suggestions for a solution to 24/192 over USB.

Trying to hold the line at $5K USD

Peachtree Grand Integrated

High resolution DAC ESS Sabre32 9018 - supports 24/192 asynchronous USB input

Hybrid tube preamplifier - uses two 12AU7s

High efficiency amplifier - 400 wpc stereo

Galvanic Isolation

State of the art headphone amp - signal is run through the tube stage [no mW specs listed]

A tube bypass button allows for solid state or hybrid tube listening modes

Details here: --> http://signalpathint.com/index.php/Grand-Integrated/grand-integrated.html

Well I am talking out of my ass here, because I've not heard this amp or the one I'm recommending. However, for this kind of monetary layout I'd have to give some consideration to some more established names. The NAD M2 comes to mind. It has garnered stellar reviews. Above your price ceiling, but possibly well worth the extra greenbacks.

http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/nad_m2_direct_digital_integrated_amplifier/index.html

Edited January 28, 201214 yr by swt61

I heard it twice at RMAF with some of the upper end Sonus Faber speakers. (maybe Elipsa) Judged on those two listening sessions. I thought the room was one of the very lower systems I heard the entire weekend.

Like swt61 said, the NAD M2 would be one of my choices. I have heard it with Maggies, Totem, Vandersteens, and Rega speakers and the sound was always good to very good.

Steve, I have to agree that the NAD M2 is gorgeous;

but it doesn't accept USB so I'd be in another $1400 to $1800 for something NAD worthy like an Empirical Off Ramp-4 or a Berkeley Audio Alpha USB to drive the AES/EBU on the M2.

That's pushin' the $7500 envelope - I could almost buy into a decent pair of Stax for that money (OK, now I'm just pandering).

Anything else with native USB input that would be a fit close to the $5K price point?

Driving something else perhaps?

Or the NAD C 390DD Direct Digital Powered DAC Amplifier with page__st__40__p__492807#entry492807 ?

Edited January 28, 201214 yr by Grahame

TACT M2150 perhaps.

Driving something else perhaps?

Like the NAD M3. That's 5K, and a nice two piece solution.

Whatever happened to that TACT that was floating around HC? Jim's or Al's perhaps?

Yep, the TACT was mine and Bryan bought it. I'm pretty sure he sold it a while ago. I almost bought it back from him.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/445037

Heres a used one with warranty and shipping

^ Nice, thanks for the heads-up.

BTW - did I mention the use-case I'm pursuing is a desktop headphone amp for my home office.

Gonna spin some FLACs from HDTracks.

T.

Just to close the loop on this thread.

Several folks in this and other HC posts recommended NAD; and that's exactly where I went (apparently it's the FOTW).

NAD M51 DAC into an ECP DSHA-1.

I'll post a mini-review after I've done some critical listening.

Nice choice on the amp for sure. Hope the DAC is as good as I've heard it is.

Oink!