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 whole—not on clinical dissection of individual musical pieces and parts. My only wish is that Peachtree would provide more than just one analogue input (as it used to do in the early generation Novas). For the bulk of the review, I relied on the nova220SE to drive a pair of GoldenEar Triton Seven loudspeakers connected via a pair of Kimber Kable 12TC speaker cables to the nova220SE's beautiful five-way binding posts. In real-world listening tests, we get ample SPLs, robust dynamics and tonal satisfaction from a pair of high-impedance (and fussy) Sennheiser HD800S. Peachtree has the new Nova 500 with more power and also a new "better" preamp section. You can get the 220SE in exactly the color you'd like, as long as that color is black. Likewise, the analogue input offered a good measure of resolution and, with the right source components, delivered a remarkably spacious and three-dimensional sound. Peachtree Audio nova220SE Three essential insights have driven Peachtree Audio from the beginning. Despite its capabilities, the nova220SE's front panel is clean and uncluttered, with only five input selection buttons, a power toggle, an IR input window, and a nice, chunky volume control with really nice heft and inertia. I actually find the unit's lack of bass management or a dedicated subwoofer output a bit more concerning, to be honest. Its punch. Ease of setup is, of course, determined by connected components, which in my case amounted to my Maingear Vybe media and gaming PC. And in fact, this was perhaps the aspects of the nova220SE's performance that surprised me the most. This Peachtree’s 6.4mm socket is even beefier on power than that found in the nova150. Buy a Nova 500 in black for $ 2999.00 while on sale- Now Shipping Add a Bluesound Node 2i music streamer for only $3549.00 for the package Free $1000.00 Diamond power cord now For only $3,399.00, the Nova 500 is a superb value and sets a new standard in its price class. Peachtree Audio nova220SE Integrated Amplifier Reviewed. Peachtree Audio could probably do something similar. Interestingly, when I reviewed Peachtree’s 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 stage offered meaningful, albeit subtle, benefits. 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 Alexander’s 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. The nova220SE ships with a simplified version of Peachtree’s 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”). Cribbing from our sister site, Audiostream.com the pre-show press release cannot be found in my mailbox I see that it accepts up to 24/192 data through its USB and coaxial S/PDIF inputs. Thus, when I listened to a carefully produced studio recording such as ‘Dead Man’s 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. But for the modern digital audiophile (with, perhaps, a burgeoning vinyl collection on the side), I cannot recommend this stunning little overachiever highly enough. The Peachtree Audio novaPre is a hybrid tube preamp that uses a 6N1P vacuum tube in its output section. Product: Peachtree Nova 220SE Stereo Tube Hybrid Integrated Amplifier; 220-SE; Remote Product SKU: 27772 Serial Number: N220SE 01454 Voltage: 115V / 230V Cosmetic Description: 7/10 Very good cosmetic condition with some minor visible cosmetic wear including cracks and chipping on the upper right and lower left corners and minor scuffing on the top and sides. Putting the headphone amp through its paces with a variety of music also gave me the opportunity to do a good bit of A/Bing with the tube buffer in and out of the signal chain, and there's no doubt that there are differences, but with most of my music collection the differences were subtle. 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. 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. Beautiful, airy, and colorful sound distinguished the forthcoming Peachtree Nova 220 SE ($1999), an all-in-one class-D baby that produces 220Wpc into 8 ohms and 440Wpc into 4 ohms. If you're running Windows, tapping into the nova220SE's 24-bit/192-kHz USB DAC capabilities does require a driver download from the Peachtree website. 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. Rogue Audio Dragon  $3995  Boasting 300Wpc into 8 ohms (500Wpc […], VooDoo Cable is an Oakland, California, cable and accessories manufacturer. Three essential insights have driven Peachtree Audio from the beginning. 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. Then again, it also lacks much of the simple elegance of form and function that makes the nova220SE so appealing. Also for: Nova 220se, Nova 125se, Nova 65se. While the inclusion of only one stereo RCA auxiliary input is more than sufficient for me (and I would imagine many music lovers these days), I can certainly see how this might not sit well with some audiophiles. 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. Within its glossy black wood cabinet, you'll find a 24-bit/192-kHz upsampling DAC with USB Audio Class 1.0 and 2.0 capabilities (with a push-button toggle on the back panel for selecting between the two); two discrete Class A preamp stages (one to drive the power amp and headphone amp; one to drive the RCA preouts) with technology borrowed directly from the company's $4,499 Grand Integrated X-1; dual-mono Class D amplifiers that deliver 220 watts of power per channel into an eight-ohm load with both channels driven, and 350 watts per channel into a four-ohm load, with Total Harmonic Distortion of 0.2 percent either way; a triode tube buffer with a user-replaceable Russian 6N1P military tube (6922 variant); and last but certainly not least, a dedicated headphone amp and output capable of delivering 1,170 mW of juice into a 32-ohm load with 0.006 percent THD. Connect your computer, your CD player, your Sonos CONNECT, an Apple TV, or another network music player. The Black Crowes' "Descending," from Amorica (American Recordings), is a great example of what I mean here. Condition: Used. Visually, the nova220SE looks similar to but notably taller than past Nova-series amp/DAC, but with a few interesting twists of its own. I recall mentioning in a previous two-channel preamp/amp review that the strong sforzando moment at right around the 28-second mark, when delicate piano gives way to slamming drums and Dobro, didn't really deliver the goods through the Triton Sevens. I liked it on with rockier, bluesier, Grateful Dead-ier sorts of tunes, for the increased warmth and smoothness in the midrange, but I tended to prefer it off with progressive and classical and stuff of the Coheed and Cambria variety, for reasons that I'm not sure I can really quantify, so take that for what it's worth. An asynchronous USB DAC? There's a strange irony in the fact that Albert Einstein never actually uttered the words, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." Comparison and CompetitionIf you're in the market for a $2,000-ish integrated stereo amplifier with USB DAC capabilities and anywhere near this much amplification, the pickings are pretty slim. Certainly not if you plan on integrating more than one analog source into your system. Having thoroughly enjoyed Peachtree Audio's Decco 65 last year, we found ourselves eager to see what the company would bring to CES 2014. ... but now a 6N1P replaces the 6922 of the original Nova, and can be included in or out of the circuit with the flip of a switch. The preamp also drives a set of RCA pre outs to connect to an external power amp or powered subwoofer. Does not include the remote, but you should be able to source a replacement from Peachtree. Digital inputs: One asynchronous USB input, one coaxial S/PDIF input (via RCA jacks), two TOSLINK optical inputs. Like all of their amplifiers, this beauty was born to deliver digital music with natural warmth, exquisite detail, and graceful ease. The Peachtree 220SE is a really nice component - it's not like you get one for free by opening a savings account at your local credit union (for those of you old enough to remember when banks would give free toasters with new accounts! On the contrary, the 220SE has its pace, timing, and definition house in order and sounds all the better for it. But, how does the nova220SE sound? "Descending" may not be the best track to demonstrate that aspect of the amp's performance, but all the same I found myself taken aback by the subtle detail in the intro: the "accidental" percussion in the sound of piano pedals being depressed. Would like to see a true walnut version to replace my current set up (which feeds an antiquated Technics SA-5070 receiver into a pair of even older X-45 Jensne 6.5" bookshelf speakers) For starters, the 220SE's chassis is larger, and the iNova's cheery cherry wood (so suitable for shelf and alcove) has been replaced by a dark black polished wood. Happily, though, the nova220SE doesn’t confront listeners with a jumbled and disjointed box full of random sonic details. Initial impressions are that it's very powerful, sleek, and crystal clear. 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 SE (for Special Edition) range. Sonic benefits of this preamplifier section are said to include reduced noise, plus greater resolution and finesse. This $1,999 integrated stereo amplifier has everything the audio lover needs, including a 24/192 USB DAC, in a beautifully built cabinet. 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. You can get the 220SE in exactly the color you'd like, as long as that color is black. This is just a placeholder for now to get things styled. Price: US $668.00. 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 producer’s musical intentions. Peachtree Audio burst on the scene in 2007 with its Decco integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and onboard USB input, which was somewhat of a novelty at the time but has since become ubiquitous. And not if you simply have an irrational aversion to Class D amps. Above all, the 220SE manages to sound taut and free flowing at the same time, which is no easy feat. It's a veritable explosion of sound. The preamp delivers a balanced signal to the internal amplifier for noise-free sound. Peachtree Nova 500 vs 220SE. My only other critique is that I wish the 220SE DAC could decode DSD and DXD files. Still, the headphone amp is a nice feature to have and one that, on the whole, adds to the nova220SE’s versatility. That track, in particular, tends to be a tough one for me to truly enjoy over headphones because it's such a densely packed mix that the slightest imprecision, the slightest loss of punch from the rhythm section, turns it all into a jumbled mess. ConclusionIt's a little weird to me that the Peachtree Audio nova220SE integrated amplifier doesn't have more competition. Well, no. 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. Anything in particular you want me to test or comment? Peachtree’s series of nova integrated amplifiers provide a special listening experience, regardless of the input source or listening method. NAD's $2,599 C 390DD Direct Digital Powered DAC amplifier comes to mind as the nova220SE's most significant competition in terms of value and performance. The nova 220SE is Peachtree Audio’s pinnacle integrates amp, headphone amp and HiRes 24/192 DAC. 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. That was with the tube buffer on, mind you. On the contrary, the 220SE tends—to borrow a phrase made famous by the American President Theodore Roosevelt a century ago—to “walk softly and carry a big stick.”. Specifically, the valve buffer changed the amp/DACs harmonic signature, making harmonics sound richer and more complete, but not in an over-dramatised way. 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. While there's no denying that its high-gloss black cabinet is gorgeous, the nova220SE for some reason lacks the lovely optional finishes of many of Peachtree's other offerings. With the nova220SE, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe's dueling drum kits punctuate the track perfectly, and the percussive acoustic rhythm guitar never gets lost in the mix, which really serves to tie the disparate elements of the mix together superbly. Rather, it’s more organic than that, always directing the listener’s attention toward the sonic whole, never becoming unduly fixated on (or distracted by) the constituent musical elements that create the whole. Every Peachtree Audio amplifier is born from this simple design philosophy: Make it sound great. Also recognising the growing wave of interest in high-end headphone listening, the nova220SE is designed to serve double-duty as a high-powered (1170 mW @ 32 Ohms) headphone amp. 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 Peachtree’s big Nova. Peachtree Audio nova220SE for sale. Performance (Continued)Speaking of headphones, the output of the nova220SE deserves special attention in that department, because it's simply one of the most impressive integrated headphone amps I've had the pleasure of auditioning. What he actually said was this: "It can scarcely be denied that the supreme goal of all theory is to make the irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of experience." Finally, we come to the 220SE’s headphone amplifier section, which—as Peachtree claims—is powerful enough to handle virtually any dynamic (as opposed to electrostatic) headphone owners might choose to use (even the Abyss AB-1266). But this is a minor nitpick. All Peachtree products sound good, but this amp is something special. In fact, I'd put it in the same league as standalone headphone amps like Meridian's Prime Headphone Amplifier – perhaps not quite as transparent, and maybe not as eerily quiet, but certainly more powerful and dynamic. The Peachtree nova220SE really reminds me of why I return to this song again and again when I'm auditioning new gear. Submit a ReviewContact Editorial Policy About us, Privacy Policy CCPA / GDPR Affiliate policy. Peachtree Nova 150: https://geni.us/8QQ47How does the amount of power a stereo receiver has affect the sound quality it produces? 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. 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. Analogue inputs: One stereo Auxiliary input (via RCA jack). Unfortunately I don't have any notoriously difficult-to-drive headphones on hand with which to tests its capabilities in that regard, but the output of the nova220SE was certainly sufficient to make my Audeze LCD-2 planar magnet cans and my Westone ES50 custom IEMs absolutely sing with tracks like the Allman Brothers Band's "Revival," from the 1997 Original Recordings Remastered CD release of Idlewild South (Mercury).