Peachtree Audio - NOVA - Amplifier in Black Gloss

Overview: The Peachtree Audio Nova is an 80-watt x 2-channel integrated amplifier with digital and analog inputs and outputs so you can connect both your digital and analog audio components. The Nova has a USB input for your computer in addition to 2 coax, and 2 optical inputs for other digital sources like Squeezebox, Wadia iTransport, Sonos, Roku Soundbridge, and XM or Sirius tuners. It also has 3 analog inputs for docking stations, CD players, tape decks or phono preamps. If you want to add a subwoofer or outboard amplifier, the Nova features a "Class A" variable preamp-output and a fixed line output.

Two-Channel Amplifier With Tube Preamp Section: The pre-amp section employs a 6922 tube with a Class A output stage. This maintains a high level of detail while taming harsh compressed digital music. It is coupled with an A/B amplifier in the final stage to achieve a very analog sounding product.

High-Quality D/A Converter: The Peachtree Audio Nova features an onboard ESS 9006 Sabre DAC (Digital-to-Analog converter). It is a 24/96 upsampling D/A converter, which transforms just about any digital source to the performance of a high-end CD player. The ESS Sabre DAC's patented jitter reduction circuit re-clocks the digital signal to almost 0 jitter before passing it through a high-resolution 24/96 upsampling processor, which is also capable of 122dB s/n ratio. The Nova also features a user selectable DAC filter slope which allows for a sharp slope that measures better or a soft slope that is preferred by many audiophiles.

Regulate Power Supplies: The Peachtree Audio Nova employs 11 regulated power supplies for the DAC and transformer-couples each digital input stage so noise associated with ground problems and switching power supplies is eliminated. The Nova features a multi-voltage, switchable, toroidal power transformer. For international use, the Nova allows you to switch its voltage.

USB Connection: The Nova has a USB input to connect your computer. The unit's USB type-B connection will take digital audio content from your computer and send it to the internal DAC of the Nova via I2S configuration. Using the Nova, you can take a pure digital audio signal from iTunes, Windows Media, Front Row, or any other music management system on your computer before it goes through a sound card. Just hook up a 2.0 USB cable between your computer and the Nova's USB type-B port; no sound card is required. The Nova can decode MP3, MP44, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, and Apple lossless codecs. The USB port is galvanized-isolated from the computer connection to prevent noise from reaching the DAC. This is very important because significant noise generated by the computer's switching power supply travels down the USB ground and manifests itself as a major source of jitter. The Nova eliminates this noise before the DAC sees it. The LED next to the USB connection will remain lit when the signal from your computer is lock.

Three Analog Inputs: The Auxiliary 1, Auxiliary 2, and Auxiliary 3 inputs each contain a pair of analog line-level RCA stereo inputs for connection to your CD player, Tape player, MD player, or portable digital music player.

Home Theater Bypass: The 3rd analog input doubles as a "Home Theater Bypass" so you can have the best of Home Theater and 2-channel in the same system. Simply take the left and right "pre-out" from your receiver or processor and connect to the "Home Theater" bypass on the Nova. A selector switch on the back panel converts from Aux to HT bypass. In this application your receiver transparently uses the L&R amplifier section of the Nova, leaving the HT receiver amplifier to push only the center and rear speakers. This leaves the receiver responsible only for pushing the center and rear speakers, making the receiver much more efficient and less taxed. Also when you listen to a 2 channel source plugged directly into the Nova, there is a straight line from the source to the Nova to the speaker (no processing, nor running the signal through a forest of circuitry).

Digital Audio Inputs: The Nova is equipped with two optical and two coaxial digital inputs for connecting external digital audio sources such as a CD or DVD player.

Pre-Out: The stereo RCA preamp-outputs allow you to use an external amplifier with the Nova; they also provide connections for a powered subwoofer.

Line Output: The Nova features a stereo fixed line out so it can be used as a "remote switchable D/A converter" that can be added to any local or whole-house audio system to handle and improve any digital source.

Speaker Terminals: The unit's binding-post speaker terminals are clearly marked red-positive and black-negative for proper polarity connections. The amplifier's speaker terminals will accommodate dual banana plugs.

Headphone Output: The Nova has a "Class A, tube" headphone section. The Peachtree Audio Nova utilizes a front-panel, 1/4" headphone input which mutes the speakers when headphones are plugged in.

Remote Control: The Nova comes supplied with an IR remote control which is easy to use. The remote control offers the same functions as the Nova's front-panel controls, plus adds a mute button. The remote is powered by two "AAA" batteries (not supplied). The remote control IR sensor is located in the center of the Nova's front-panel.

Tube Window: The Nova features a tube window which allows you to view the glow of the unit's tube.

Storage Bay With Terminal Window: The Nova features an internal storage bay so you can store a digital audio wireless device, such as the Sonos ZP80, inside the unit. The internal bay is accessed from the rear of the unit by removing two Phillips-head screws. The storage bay also features a terminal window which allows you to seal off your digital audio wireless device but still have access to its terminals. The terminal window can be detached from the storage bay door by removing two Phillips-head screws.