peachtree decco or glow amp-1?

chadh · « **on:** 10 Mar 2009, 06:23 pm »

Has anybody heard both of these products? I'm seriously considering both for a small office system, running directly from my pc via usb cable into a small pair of kef bookshelf speakers or headphones.

USB dac perfomance, headphone out and amplification capabilities are all important to me in this application.

Thanks for any input.

Chad

chadh · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 12:40 am »

Anyone?

Chad

Mariusz · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 12:50 am »

Quote from: chadh on 12 Mar 2009, 12:40 am

Anyone?

Chad

I am looking into Glow-1.
Should have it on loan in a few.

If the performance is better then OK, I am planing to have it mod by the same guy who did my Cybers.
Head/amp and USB DAC is a plus. aa

Will see.

chadh · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 12:55 am »

Mariusz,

Will you be getting your hands on the new 2009 version? Or the older 2008 model?

The newer one supposedly has a greatly improved DAC, as well as improvements to the headphone out. While the 6-moons review raved about the amplifier characteristics, it seems the general consensus was that the DAC section wasn't so hot. Hopefully the improvements are significant in the new version.

Chad

Mariusz · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 01:04 am »

Quote from: chadh on 12 Mar 2009, 12:55 am

Mariusz,

Will you be getting your hands on the new 2009 version? Or the older 2008 model?

The newer one supposedly has a greatly improved DAC, as well as improvements to the headphone out. While the 6-moons review raved about the amplifier characteristics, it seems the general consensus was that the DAC section wasn't so hot. Hopefully the improvements are significant in the new version.

Chad

Someone I know is selling his demo (2008).
I asked to hear it before it is sold.
If I like what I hear, I will order a new one direct or from someone locally.
If I get it, it will still go to get some mods.
If the DAC is really good ................ all the better.
I am very curious to hear this little amp.

Mariusz

(but let's not get overexcited)

TKonrad.NOLA · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 02:31 am »

The Decco by a mile. It is a pretty amazing piece of equipment. You get a tube preamp, a NOS Dac with USB, Optical and Coaxial connections (you only get USB with the Glow Amp) and that little 50W amp is pretty ballsy and there are pre-outs if you care to use it with a bigger amp.

I love mine.

chadh · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 02:39 am »

Quote from: DigitalDude on 12 Mar 2009, 02:31 am

The Decco by a mile. It is a pretty amazing piece of equipment. You get a tube preamp, a NOS Dac with USB, Optical and Coaxial connections (you only get USB with the Glow Amp) and that little 50W amp is pretty ballsy and there are pre-outs if you care to use it with a bigger amp.

I love mine.

I'm glad you're so positive about the Decco. It certainly seems like a killer unit. But, out of curiosity, have you heard the Glow amp as well?

Chad

TKonrad.NOLA · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 02:45 am »

I considered it but since my speakers were rated at 86db, I knew it wouldn't work for me. Also I needed more digital inputs. Airport Express, Apple TV all require optical connections.

Also, customer service is a BIG deal to me and the guys at Signal Path are only a phone call away. I have talked to, two of the three partners via phone. It made me want to patronize the company. They stand behind their products. I love the Decco so much, I am buying a Nova as soon as they are available.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 02:59 am »

I have heard both. I have had both in my systems. I have looked over both for modding potential.

The Glow is a very nice tube amp. Good sound from analog inputs. The USB input sounds very poor in comparison. The USB DAC chip used in the Glow is normally designed to be used for computer speakers. There is little to no room to change any parts.

The Decco is a better sounding amp, IMHO. Scott Nixon was very involved in the design. The chip amp sounds good on most speakers. The headphone output will drive most anything. I don't care for the tube that comes with it, but that is easy to change. Lots of things that can be modded. In fact, Peachtree did use a Decco I modded at CES.

The new Peachtree amp, Nova, is just incredible. It uses the ESS Sabre DAC chip. Quite possibly the best sounding DAC near it's price. It is more expensive, but I do feel it is worth it.

chadh · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 03:34 am »

Thanks Wayne and Digital Dude. I appreciate all of your comments.

A couple of questions.

The Decco amp section is basically a Scott Nixon chip amp, correct? I'm pretty sure the chip amps I used previously would have trouble on speakers with say 6 ohms impedance. Is this likely to be the case with the Decco?

Wayne: if you have any specific suggestions for tubes in the Decco, I'd love to hear them.

DigitalDude: any chance you're selling that Decco when you buy the new Nova?

Chad

TKonrad.NOLA · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 03:43 am »

Wayne; What tube would you recommend to replace the stock tube? This is the first piece of equipment I have owned that utilized a tube? Alos, what mods do you do to the Decco?

Chad; I will more than likely move the Decco to my bedroom when I get my hands on a Nova.

lcrim · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 03:49 am »

Keep in mind that single ended EL84 amps are best with high efficiency speakers. The Glow is spectacular with my 96dB Compact Hemps from Omega. I have had great support from the Glow importer, they literally bent over backwards. I love the sound of single ended EL84s so I'm prejudiced.
I don't use USB DAC's. I changed to (Bolder modded) Squeeze Boxes to get all the PC noise both internal and external away from the stereo setup some years ago. I only use the Glow as an amp and w/ efficient speakers it sounds terrific.

JP78 · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 05:48 am »

do you already have the kef speakers? the usb implentation on the glow isn't ideal, as to be expected for the price. i ask because the audioengine five powered speakers are fantastic...reasonably priced, and i believe they have all the functions you require.

ok, well just throwing it out there. sorry if this is off topic.

chadh · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 06:38 am »

Thanks for the suggestion. But I do have the kef speakers already. The powered speakers are an interesting sounding alternative, though.

Chad

Mariusz · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 01:54 pm »

My buddy is using it now in his system.
His gear inclueds:
Consonance Cyber 211 with WE nos tubes and upgrated BG caps.
RWA Isabella preamp with all options.
PC as a source.
LAT cables through out DIY.
Speakers - similar to my own.
Same drivers (modified 206 Fostex), plain "Bruce" double mouth horns.(95-96db)

In short - he is SHOCKED!!!!
He got up at 4am just to listen to it again.
What else is there to say.
I hope to have it in next week or so.

Cheers
Mariusz

Wayne1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 02:35 pm »

I used a NOS Amperex 6922. I would also suggest trying the 6H1. Both tubes offer more dynamics than the stock Chinese tube.

The Glow is a nice amp with analog inputs. The USB DAC is awful. In direct comparison, the NuForce Icon was preferred with USB. On analog inputs, I did like the sound of the Glow, better.

There is a thread on the BOLDER Cable forum where the mods are discussed in greater detail.

Peachtree mods

planet10 · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 03:30 pm »

Quote from: Wayne1 on 12 Mar 2009, 02:35 pm

I used a NOS Amperex 6922. I would also suggest trying the 6H1.

The power supply has sufficient grunt to supply 2x the heater current for the latter tube?

dave

chadh · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Mar 2009, 01:15 am »

Just to throw another option into the mix...

Has anybody heard the Jasmine Audio Serenade:http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1241192577&/Jasmine-Audio-Serenade---Mini-?

Chad

Mariusz · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Mar 2009, 01:57 am »

Quote from: chadh on 14 Mar 2009, 01:15 am

Just to throw another option into the mix...

Has anybody heard the Jasmine Audio Serenade:http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1241192577&/Jasmine-Audio-Serenade---Mini-?

Chad

Looks interesting ..... but I have no clue what it sounds like.
I've heard these two and they sometimes pop up for $700-$800 asking price:

Philips VAM-12 pick-up mechanism coupled with CD-7II servo system for low jitter tracking.
Classic tube amplification presented in stylish aesthetics. 3 wpc - class "A" Amplifier
D/A conversion is accomplished by Burr-Brown PCM1738 DAC chip.
High-quality FM/AM tunmg system.
2x6P1 single-ended tube output stage.

50 watt / channel MOS-FET single-ended power amplifier.
1 USB input (A type) for the devices (MP3 / WMA / OGG files) like MP3 players or USB memory.
1 USB input (B type) for PC Connection to playback any music or movie files from your PC.
1 Auxiliary input for TV or DVD input.
1 Headphone input for private listening.
Designed by Kenneth Grange of U.K. ( Who is Kenneth Grange? )


Specifications
PREAMP & POWER AMP SECTION
- INPUT : AUX(RCA) x 1, USB x 1(for MP3, WMA, OGG file), USB mini x 1(for PC)
- OUTPUT : 1 PAIR OF SPEAKER, HEADPHONE x 1
- VOLUME : CIRRUS LOGIC CS3310(0.001%THD, 116dB Dynamic range)
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE : 20Hz - 25kHz(-0.5dB)
- OUTPUT : 50W + 50W(8 Ohms)
- POWER AMP : MOS-FET SINGLE-ENDED PUSH-PULL

CD / DAC
- TOP-LOADING CD MECHANISM
- MEDIA : CD / MP3 CD / USB Memory
- D/A CONVERSION : CIRRUS LOGIC CS4398, 120dB, 192kHz
- DIGITAL FILTER : PROPRIETARY 3rd ORDER FILTER
- MEMORY BUFFER : RAM BUFFER PLAYBACK 16MB SRAM 10sec ESP

TUNER
- BAND : FM / AM
- PRESET: 20 STATIONS

USB
- DECODER : Micronas USB CODEC
- PLAYBACK FORMAT : MP3 / WMA / OGG(UPTO 192K BPS)
- RECORDING FORMAT : MP3 128K BPS (FIXED)
- PLAYBACK FILE : 44.1kHz / 16bit - 96kHz/24bit

DIMENSIONS
- SIZE : W278 x H84 x D278mm (W10.94 x H3.3 x D10.94 inch)
- WEIGHT : 7kg (15.4lb. Net)
- POWER CONSUMPTION : 11W (STANDBY), 30W (NOMINAL), 200W(MAX)

chadh · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Mar 2009, 02:18 am »

Thanks Mariusz. They both look interesting. Did you enjoy either/both?

Chad