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SUPER NOVA!
WHY PEACHTREE AUDIOS NEW
NOVA220SE IS ALL THE HI-FI
YOULL EVER NEED!

KARAN ACOUSTICS PHONO REFERENCE

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SONUS FABER OLYMPICA II

ESTELON TAKES
LOUDSPEAKERS
TO THE EXTREME!

EQUIPMENT REVIEW

Peachtree Audio nova220SE

integrated amplifier/DAC/
headphone amplifier
by Chris Martens

hree essential insights have driven Peachtree Audio from the

beginning. First, the firm was quick to grasp that computer
audio would likely become the preferred music delivery vehicle
for growing numbers of music lovers, young and not-so-young.
Second, Peachtree understood that genuinely good sound
quality is a gift that keeps on giving and that never goes out of style. Third,
Peachtree recognised that, in order for its products to win the hearts and
minds of newer generations of audiophiles, accessible pricing would be a
vitally important factor. This is the basic ethos that Peachtree has followed for
years and it is one that has served the company well.

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Over
time,
Peachtree
created
successive families of versatile integrated
amplifier/DACs that were computer-friendly,
easy to use, attractive, and that offered an
awful lot of sound per pound. First came
the entry-level Decco-series amp/DACs,
then the larger Nova-series models, then
the second-generation Deccos and Novas,
which were followed by the top-of-the-range
Grand X-1 model, and now the new Nova

EQUIPMENT REVIEW / PEACHTREE AUDIO NOVA220SE

SE (for Special Edition) range. The most

powerful and accomplished of all the new SE
models is the nova220SE (1,499), which is
the subject of this review.
What makes Peachtrees SE models
special? The answer is that all novaSE models
borrow the discrete Class A preamplifier
section that Peachtree originally developed
for its flagship Grand X-1 integrated amplifier.
Sonic benefits of this preamplifier section are
said to include reduced noise, plus greater
resolution and finesse. Having listened to
Peachtrees earlier, non-SE version nova125
amplifier at length, I can vouch for the fact
that the nova220SE does take sonic steps
forward relative to its predecessors, though
the improvements it offers can at first seem
subtle in character. Going further, though, the
nova220SE adds design features not shared
with other SE models; namely, a preamplifier
that, says Peachtree, delivers a balanced
signal to the internal amplifier, along with a
dual mono, balanced stereo Class D power
amplifier section that puts out a substantial
220 Wpc @ 8 Ohms, or 350 Wpc @ 4 Ohms.
The nova 220SE provides four digital
inputs: one asynchronous USB (24/192), one

coaxial S/PDIF (24/192), and two TOSLINK (24/96), but the unit also includes a
stereo analogue input to provide connections for an outboard phono stage or
other analogue component. The DAC section of the nova220SE is based upon
the ESS Sabre Hyperstream 9022 DAC device whose signature Hyperstream
Modulator is, according to Peachtree, capable of 100% jitter rejection for
maximum fidelity. Growing numbers of manufacturers have jumped on the
ESS bandwagon of late, but it is worth noting that Peachtree was one of the
earliest adopters of ESS technology and now has four generations-worth of
design experience with ESS components.
The nova220SE DAC requires no device drivers for Mac environments
and can, with the proper rear panel switch settings, run at up to 24/96
resolution limits without a device driver in Windows environments. However,
to take advantage of the nova220SEs 24/192 capabilities, Windows users will
need to install a (supplied) device driver.
One important point to note is that while the nova220SE DAC supports
PCM files at resolutions up to 24/192, it offers no provisions for decoding
DSD or very high resolution (e.g., 32/352.8) DXD files. Some will see this as
a non-issue given that the majority of digital audio files in play today are in
PCM format and at resolutions at or below 24/192. However, for listeners
who have embraced or simply wish to try DSD and/or DXDformat files, the
absence of DSD/DXD capabilities might be seen as a serious limitation (and
frankly, their absence seems somewhat odd given that Peachtree has so often
been ahead of the curve in all things pertaining to computer/digital audio).
Nevertheless, the fact is that the nova220SEs PCM DAC is easy to use and
sounds very fine indeed.
Peachtrees integrated amps have long been known for flexibility and
versatility, and the nova220SE is no exception. Thus, to address the never-

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EQUIPMENT REVIEW / PEACHTREE AUDIO NOVA220SE

ending valve-versus-solid-state debate, the 220SE (like many Peachtree

models before it) incorporates a sophisticated, switch-selectable 6N1P valvetype buffer stage that can be engaged or bypassed on the fly to suit the
listeners tastes or preferences. Also recognising the growing wave of interest
in high-end headphone listening, the nova220SE is designed to serve doubleduty as a high-powered (1170 mW @ 32 Ohms) headphone amp.
Visually, the nova220SE looks similar to but notably taller than past Novaseries amp/DAC, but with a few interesting twists of its own. Specifically, the
220SE gets treated to a distinctive and beefy 6mm-thick aluminium faceplate
whose front surfaces feature a brushed texture and dark grey anodized finish
not used on any other Peachtree model. For added impact, the nova220SEs
model name is deeply engraved into the faceplates surface, which helps give
this most accomplished Nova model a classy look of its own.
The nova220SE ships with a simplified version of Peachtrees traditional
remote control, where the available control options include a standby/on
switch, a muting switch, volume up/down controls, input buttons for the four
digital inputs and one analogue input, plus a valve buffer stage on/off button
(labelled, in American fashion, Tube). Unlike button-festooned remotes that
can leave users perplexed, the new Peachtree remote islike the nova220SE
itselfa model of intuitive simplicity.
But, how does the nova220SE sound? Let me begin by stating that
the nova220SE is at once the subtlest, most refined, and by far the most
powerful Nova-series amp/DAC offered to date. In short, this best-ever
nova220SE offers a heady combination of sonic virtues, especially in light of
its moderateprice.
Early generation Novas were thought to have good front-ends, but
power amplifier sections whose output capabilities were somewhat limited
especially in terms of driving current-hungry, low impedance loads. Happily,
the powerful nova220SE has no such limitations. On the contrary, the 220SE
tendsto borrow a phrase made famous by the American President Theodore
Roosevelt a century agoto walk softly and carry a big stick.
To give the nova220SE a thorough workout, I used it drive a pair of
seriously power and current-hungry, 4-Ohm, Magnepan 3.7i quasi-ribbon/
ribbon type loudspeakers. Frankly, the Maggies have a reputation for chewing
up wimpy amplifiers and spitting out the remains, but to my surprise and
delight they got on quite well with Peachtrees big Nova. Indeed, the 220SE
drove the 3.7is with discernable exuberance and with a palpable dash of
dynamic brio.
On powerful, propulsive tracks such as Rapunzel from The Dave
Matthews Bands Before These Crowded Streets [RCA], for example, the
nova220SE captured the full depth and weight, but more importantly the sheer
articulacy and speed, of Stefan Lessards Warwick bass guitar, in the process
demonstrating robust output modulated with admirable subtlety and agility.
Likewise, the 220SE helped the Maggies make the most of the intricate, lithe,
and beautifully textured drum and cymbal grooves created by percussionist
Carter Beauford on the same track. One of the most consistently impressive
things about the nova220SE is that it is not only powerful, but also quick and
well controlled. The only observation I might add is that the amps voicing is

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shaded ever-so-slightly toward the warm side

of strict neutrality. This characteristic never
comes across as any sort of colouration, but
rather it helps to ensure that the sound stays
focused on the music as a wholenot on
clinical dissection of individual musical pieces
and parts. Above all, the 220SE manages to
sound taut and free flowing at the same time,
which is no easy feat.
The nova220SE power amplifier is
based on the latest generation of Class D
ICEpower technology (using a pair of bridged
ICEpower modules for a true dual mono
configuration), but frankly it sounds nothing
like the sometimes softly focused and overly
warm-sounding ICEpower-driven amps of
yesteryear. On the contrary, the 220SE has
its pace, timing, and definition house in order
and sounds all the better for it. But ample
power is only part of the nova220SEs recipe

Early generation Novas

were thought to have
good front-ends, but
power amplifier sections
whose output capabilities
were somewhat limited
especially in terms of
driving current-hungry,
low impedance loads.
Happily, the powerful
nova220SE has no
such limitations.

EQUIPMENT REVIEW / PEACHTREE AUDIO NOVA220SE

for performance; the other key ingredients are

resolution, dynamic nuance, and low noise
all three of which are positively influenced by
Peachtrees decision to use the discrete,
Class A preamplifier section from the Grand
X-1 integrated amp in the nova220SE.
To evaluate the subtler, more delicate,
and more textural aspects of the nova220SEs
performance envelope, I connected the unit to
a pair of GoldenEar Technologys easy-to-drive
and very revealing Triton One floorstanders
(which we will cover in a future Hi-Fi+ review).
The results were mostimpressive.
While Peachtrees earlier nova125 amp/
DAC was no slouch in terms of resolution,
nuance, etc., the nova220SE is audibly
superior. Interestingly, I found the sonic
improvements did not so much manifest
themselves in the form of dramatically
increased resolution of low-level detail,
although there was certainly some forward
progress in that area, but rather as a marked

improvement in overall three-dimensionality and resolution of delicate

almost subliminalspatial and reverberant cues in the music. Thus, when
I listened to a carefully produced studio recording such as Dead Mans
Handle from Steve Strauss Just Like Love [Stockfisch], the 220SE let me
hear precisely when, where, and how various reverb and spatial effects (along
with other natural reverberant sounds) were applied and layered into the mix.
Importantly, this meant I could also listen through (or beyond) the technology
of the recording, per se, to enjoy a clearer, more coherent understanding of
the artist and producers musicalintentions.
Similarly, when I listened to a good recording captured in a natural
performance space without any electronic processing such as Calypso
Blues, Part 1 from Monty Alexanders Calypso Blues: Songs of Nat King
Cole [Chesky, 24/192], the nova220SE did a fine job of helping the speakers
to convey a sense of place, allowing me to hear the myriad small cues
that together showed the instruments interacting with the acoustics of the
performance venue. Happily, though, the nova220SE doesnt confront
listeners with a jumbled and disjointed box full of random sonic details. Rather,
its more organic than that, always directing the listeners attention toward
the sonic whole, never becoming unduly fixated on (or distracted by) the
constituent musical elements that create the whole.
The nova220SEs front end was well balanced, so that the sound quality
of the asynchronous USB input (arguably the best
sounding of all) was very closely matched by
the quality of the coax S/PDIF input. Likewise,
the analogue input offered a good measure
of resolution and, with the right source
components, delivered a remarkably
spacious and three-dimensional sound. My
only wish is that Peachtree would provide
more than just one analogue input (as
it used to do in the early generation
Novas). My only other critique is that I
wish the 220SE DAC could decode
DSD and DXD files. Granted,
those file formats are not yet in
widespread circulation, but
as the Boy Scouts would
surely tell us, it pays to
beprepared.
What of the switch
selectable valve buffer
stage?
Interestingly,
when I reviewed Peachtrees
nova125 I preferred that amp/
DAC with the buffer disengaged,
but with nova220SE, which offers
a higher baseline level of resolution
than the nova125, I found the valve buffer

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EQUIPMENT REVIEW / PEACHTREE AUDIO NOVA220SE

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Two-channel integrated amplifier
with built-in DAC, with hybrid valve/
solid-state preamplifier and solid-state
Class D power amplifier section.
Analogue inputs: One stereo Auxiliary
input (via RCA jack)
Digital inputs: One asynchronous USB
input, one coaxial S/PDIF input (via RCA
jacks), two TOSLINK optical inputs.
Analogue outputs: One stereo
headphone output (via 6.35mm
headphone jack), one pair of
loudspeaker taps (with 5-way binding
posts), one stereo variable-level
preamplifier output (via RCA jacks).
Supported sample rates: Coaxial S/

stage offered meaningful, albeit subtle, benefits. Specifically, the valve buffer
changed the amp/DACs harmonic signature, making harmonics sound richer
and more complete, but not in an over-dramatised way. But more to the point,
I found that engaging the valve buffer helped unlock the depth dimension
of soundstagesoften in a significant and beneficial way. As a result, I did
perhaps 70% of my listening with the valve buffer engaged, though this is a
choice listeners will want to weigh for themselves.
Finally, we come to the 220SEs headphone amplifier section, which
as Peachtree claimsis powerful enough to handle virtually any dynamic (as
opposed to electrostatic) headphone owners might choose to use (even the
Abyss AB-1266). However, I found the headphone amplifiers voicing differed
considerably from that of the 220SEs main power amplifier, presenting a
sound this was brighter and also more lightly balanced in the bass region,
meaning the headphone amp missed out on some of the main amps admirable
richness and density of tonal colour. Still, the headphone amp is a nice feature
to have and one that, on the whole, adds to the nova220SEs versatility.
Overall, the 1,499 nova220SE offers astounding performance for the
money. The funny if not shocking part about this is that one might instinctively
feel compelled (purely on sonic grounds) to compare the Peachtree against
preamps, DACs, headphone amps, and power amps that individually cost
more than the entire 220SE does. The question, then, is not whether the
nova220SE can be surpassed (it can be, if youre willing to invest a good
bit more money), but rather whether anything near its price can do so many
things so well.
In terms of sound per pound and far-ranging versatility, I think the
nova220SE deserves recognition as one of the benchmarks in its class.
Best of all, it offers the elusive and desirable combination of sonic finesse
and dynamic cloutqualities that free listeners to explore virtually any sort of
loudspeakers they might wish to try. For all these reasons and more, I think
the nova220SE makes a great place to start (or perhaps conclude) a quest for
high-end sound at a sensible price. +

PDIF: 16-bit/44.1kHz 24-bit/192kHz;

TOSLINK: 16-bit/44.1kHz 24/bit/96kHz;
Asynchronous USB: 16-bit/44.1
24-bit/192kHz
Input impedance (AUX input): 15kOhm
Output impedance (preamp): <50 Ohm
Power output: 220 Wpc @ 8 Ohms (both
channels driven, <0.5% THD), 350 Wpc
@ 40 Ohms (both channels driven,
<0.5% THD)
Headphone amplifier output:1170 mW
@ 32 Ohms, <0.1% THD; 182mW @ 300
Ohms, <0.1 THD
Bandwidth: Preamplifier: 20Hz -20kHz,
0.2dB; Power Amplifier: 20Hz 20kHz,
0.5dB; Headphone Amplifier: 20Hz
20kHz, 0.1dB
Distortion: Preamplifier: 0.004% THD +
noise; Power Amplifier: 0.001% IMD;
Headphone Amplifier: 0.006% THD + noise
Signal to Noise Ratio:
Dimensions (HxWxD): 126 x 377 x 343mm
Weight: 11kg (shipping weight)
Finish: Graphite grey faceplate, gloss
black lacquer enclosure sleeve.
Price: 1,499
Manufacturer: Peachtree Audio
URL: www.peachtreeaudio.com
UK Distributor: Anthem A/V Solutions
Tel: 44 (0) 1825 750858
URL: www.anthemavs.co.uk

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