A New Generation of Power Amplification

The nova500 incorporates the latest generation of ICEPower amplification - with an extraordinary 500 watts per channel. The amplifier utilizes ICEpower's innovative and patented Hybrid Controlled Oscillation Modulator (HCOM) feedback and control techniques to ensure high output, wide bandwidth, low noise, robust stability and a simplified overall design. This amplifier technology is extremely powerful, dynamic, quiet and most importantly . . . musical.

Reference DAC

The nova500 utilizes a new ESS 9000-Series PRO Sabre DAC with four DACs per stereo channel. That's eight DACs in total, combining to provide a remarkable level of refinement and musicality from any source. The DAC accepts an extremely wide range of inputs all the way up to 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD (double-DSD).

The Preamplifier

The preamplifier section in the nova500 was designed from the ground up by the engineers at Peachtree Audio specifically for the nova500. Its architecture is based on the preamplifier section of the nova300 and nova150, but takes it a significant step further by implementing fully differential circuit paths from input to output. This ensures that the ultra-low-noise musical signal provided by the DAC is maintained all the way through the preamplifier, and ensures that the nova500?s power amplifier section is being driven by the absolutely cleanest possible signal from the preamplifier.

iOS Input - Introducing DyNEC (Dynamic Noise Elimination Circuit) for iPhone/iPad

The nova500 includes a dedicated asynchronous USB connection on the rear panel that provides a direct digital wired connection for Apple Lightning-equipped devices. Simply use the cable that came with your iPhone or iPad and enjoy your music transformed by the ESS PRO Sabre DAC and the superior sonic performance of the nova!

With DyNEC and an asynchronous connection, Peachtree's dedicated iOS input lets you hear your music with all the clarity, dynamics and emotion the artist intended.

And . . . the new metal-faced Peachtree remote controls basic playback functions like FF/RR and pause, so you can just sit back and enjoy!

DyNEC is a Peachtree exclusive.

Spin Your Vinyl

The nova500 includes a moving magnet (MM) phono input for direct connection of a turntable - a custom designed circuit that accommodates a wide range of MM cartridge outputs. With the nova500 you no longer need an external phono preamp unless you are using a lower output moving coil cartridge. In that case, the internal phono preamp in the nova500 can be bypassed, allowing the phono input to accept line-level signals from a dedicated phono preamp or any other line-level device.

Home Theater Bypass (HTB)

This is one of our most requested features. HTB allows for easy integration with a multi-channel preamp/processor or audio/video receiver (AVR) so that the power amplifier in the nova500 drives the front left and right speakers for stereo and multi-channel listening. The nova500 amplifier section is likely more powerful and better sounding than any AVR available today - and relieving the AVR from driving the front left and right speakers makes it MUCH easier for the AVR to drive the center and surround speakers. When listening to stereo music the nova500 becomes your control center, and you can enjoy the full benefit of its reference DAC and ultra-low-noise circuitry. If the HTB input isn't needed it can be configured as a standard analog line-level input.

Getting LOOP-y

The nova500 includes an extremely useful LOOP (output/input) feature, allowing you to add an external equalizer or other processor into the signal path. The LOOP button on the remote control engages and disengages the loop audio path utilizing high-performance relays. Do you want to experiment with room correction? No problem. Wire your room EQ component into the nova500 and use the LOOP button on the remote control to easily A-B between correction in/correction out.

Volume Control Bypass

The nova500 provides a Volume Control Bypass feature on its digital inputs which puts the nova500 into a "power amp" mode. This is useful if you have a connected source with its own volume control. Have a favorite device or app with a volume slider built right into the interface? Simply bypass the nova300 volume control for that input and use the app slider instead.

Optical, Coax and USB Inputs

The nova500 offers a standard suite of digital audio inputs, including asynchronous USB for a computer. In addition, there is one coaxial S/PDIF input and two optical inputs that accommodate signals up to 24-Bit/192kHz, assuming the connected device can output those signals. If it can't, no worries; use your computer instead to output your high-res files to the nova500's asynchronous USB input.

Discrete Headphone Amp

Headphone fans will love the headphone amplifier in the nova500. It is a fully-discrete power amplifier circuit (not a chip) that is designed for sheer musicality and an ultra-low noise floor. When you plug headphones in, the speakers and preamp outputs are automatically muted and the volume knob becomes a dedicated headphone volume controller. Unplug the headphones, and the system reverts back to being an integrated amplifier. Note: The nova500's headphone amplifier is specifically designed to drive headphones with impedance ratings in the 50-300 ohm range. It was not designed to support headphones with an impedance below 50 ohms. 600 ohm headphones will lower the output capability significantly.

nova500 Specifications