nova300 - A New Generation of Power

Highlights

• ESS Reference 9018K2M Sabre DAC
• 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD (double-DSD) compatibility
• New generation ICEPower amplification - 300 watts per channel @ 8?
  450 watts per channel @ 4?
• Extensive internal grounding
• Designed by a world-class engineering team
• Asynchronous USB, Coax and (2) Optical inputs
• Asynchronous iOS input for direct digital input from Apple Lightning devices - with exclusive Peachtree DyNEC (Dynamic-Noise Elimination Circuit) technology
• Phono (MM) input
• Home Theater Bypass
• Loop feature to add an external tube buffer, EQ or other processor into the signal path
• Pre-Out for use as preamp/DAC or with subwoofer
• Discrete custom-designed headphone amplifier
• Available in Gloss Ebony Mocha and Piano Black
• Made in North America

Reference DAC

The nova300 utilizes the highly regarded ES9018K2M SABRE32 Reference DAC. The 9018 DAC is capable of accepting an extremely wide range of inputs all the way up to 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD (double-DSD). The DAC exhibits exemplary dynamic range, jitter elimination and low noise characteristics to satisfy even the most demanding listeners.

A New Generation of Power Amplification

The nova300 incorporates the latest generation of ICEPower amplification - with an impressive 300 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. HCOM incorporates separate feedback loops after the power stage and after the output filter. This lets the system address specific issues related to the power stage and output filter independently, resulting in lower distortion, less noise on the output, a less load-dependent frequency response, and a very low output impedance compared to other class D amps. This new amplifier technology is extremely powerful, dynamic, quiet and most importantly... musical. Relatively small size and superior efficiency allows a nova chassis that is even smaller than its predecessors, without the large, heavy and expensive heat sinking common in class A/B amplifiers. The amplifier in the nova300 is capable of driving an extremely wide range of speakers with impedances as low as 2.5? and as high as 16?. Combine that with a power output of 300 watts per channel and you can be sure this new nova will easily drive your favorite loudspeaker.

World-Class Preamplifier

Where's the TUBE? The tube is GONE?!?

Yes, it is. Because the new nova preamp is just so good! Previous generation Peachtree preamps had a signal to noise ratio in the range of 95 to 100dB, similar to competing preamps. When our signature tube buffer was engaged to smooth out a rough recording the S/N dropped to 88-90dB, an acceptable compromise for the sonic benefit.

The new amplifier modules in the current generation of nova are inherently warmer sounding than previously, while still retaining the accuracy digital amps have always provided. Combined with a cleaner analog section and no noise created by an internal tube circuit and we're now able to get even closer to the sound of the original musical performance. The newly-designed preamp section in the nova300 has a S/N ratio of 111dB and is a major contributor in getting us closer to that original sound.

Quiet as a Mouse

The nova300 utilizes an extensive power supply and grounding design to ensure the noise floor is pushed as far down as possible to allow the music to shine through. Our engineers spent hours upon hours determining the optimal power supply filtering and grounding scheme to prevent any unwanted noise from finding its way into the signal path. As a result, the nova300 achieves a remarkable dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio. Turn up the nova300 to full volume without music playing, put your ear to the speaker and enjoy the lack of noise!

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

The nova300 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 SABRE32 Reference DAC and the superior sonic performance of the nova!

We know that streaming music files from the Lightning connection on the iPhone or iPad is VERY convenient. Peachtree wants to make sure you achieve MAXIMUM performance from these high-tech marvels!

By its very nature, any computer generates "noise". A computer's power supply is one source of this noise. Years ago we attacked this issue of computer-generated noise by isolating the USB inputs of our amplifiers. Having successfully conquered "conventional" computer noise, we want to be sure you enjoy the same noise-free performance from your iPhone and iPad.*

*Smart phones, notepads and tablets are, of course, small but powerful computers. Power supplies and high-resolution screen refresh rates are possible sources of noise contamination.

With this goal in mind, Peachtree engineers have developed DyNEC: the world's first and only system to address and eliminate all audible power supply and screen noise. DyNEC assures your music files are streamed to the nova free of any added noise - so your favorite music sounds its very, very best!

Once all sources of noise are eliminated, music files are "handed off" to our internal ESS SABRE32 Reference DAC - further improving performance via asynchronous connection, and eliminating any timing errors caused by jitter.

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. So can the iPhone and iPad - perhaps the most convenient music playback devices ever - be taken seriously as high-end audio components? Connected to Peachtree's iOS input, our answer is a resounding YES!

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.

What?s Old is New Again

We are pleased to say that the nova300 includes a moving magnet (MM) phono input for direct connection of a turntable. Yes, that's right - a bunch of computer audio advocates made a phono preamp! And not just any phono input... a custom designed circuit that accommodates a wide range of MM cartridge outputs. With the nova300 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 nova300 can be bypassed, allowing the phono input to accept line-level signals from a dedicated phono preamp or any other line-level device. Win-win!

Home Theater Bypass (HTB) is Back!

This is one of our most requested features and it is included in the nova300! HTB allows for easy integration with a multi-channel preamp/processor or audio/video receiver (AVR) so that the power amplifier in the nova300 drives the front left and right speakers for stereo and multi-channel listening. The nova300 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 nova300 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 nova300 includes an extremely useful LOOP (output/input) feature, allowing you to add an external tube buffer, equalizer or other processor into the signal path as desired. 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 nova300 and use the LOOP button on the remote control to easily A-B between correction in/correction out.

Power Amp Mode

The nova300 provides a Volume Control Bypass feature on its digital inputs which puts the nova300 into a "power amp" mode. This is particularly 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. VERY convenient!

Optical, Coax and USB Inputs

The nova300 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 nova300's asynchronous USB input.

Discrete Headphone Amp

The headphone amplifier in the nova300 was specifically designed to drive headphones with impedance ratings in the 50-300 ohm range. It is a fully-discrete power amplifier circuit (not a chip) that is designed for sheer musicality and an ultra-low noise floor. When compared to dedicated headphone amplifiers, the nova300?s built-in headphone amplifier represents an amazing value! Note: the headphone amplifier was not designed to support headphones with an impedance below 50 ohms and 600 ohm headphones will lower the output capability significantly.

nova300 Specifications

SPEAKER OUTPUT
Compatible Speakers	2.5-16?
Output Power (WPC, 8? | 4?, <1% THD+N, AES17)	300 | 450
Dynamic Range (A-weighted)	105dB
Damping Factor (1kHz, 8?)	>625
Frequency Response (20 - 20kHz)	<+/-0.4dB
Inter-Modulation Distortion	>80dB below fundamental
Total Harmonic Distortion (AES17, 1kHz, 4?)	0.005%
Channel Separation (1kHz, 8?)	>90dB
PREAMP OUTPUT
Output Voltage (rms)	3.8V
Output Impedance	100?
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Analog | Digital Source, un-weighted)	105dB | 105dB
Channel Separation (1kHz)	>115dB
Frequency Response (Analog | Digital Source, 8Hz-20kHz)	<0.1dB | <0.5dB
Total Harmonic Distortion	0.003% (2V rms, 1kHz, un-weighted)
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
Output Power (32?, rms | peak)	1200mW | 2770mW
Output Power (300?, rms | peak)	330mW | 700mW
Output Power (600?, rms | peak)	170mW | 350mW
Output Impedance	1?
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Analog | Digital Source, un-weighted)	107dB | 106dB
Dynamic Range (Analog | Digital Source, un-weighted)	107dB | 100dB
Channel Separation (1kHz)	>100dB at 1kHz
Frequency Response (Digital source, 8Hz-20kHz)	<0.5dB
Frequency Response (Analog source, 8Hz-100kHz)	<0.1dB
Total Harmonic Distortion	0.003% (2V rms, 1kHz, un-weighted)
USB-B Input
Formats	PCM and DSD
PCM Sampling Rate and DSD Frequency Rate	16-32 Bit, 44.1-384kHz PCM 2.8224-5.6448MHz DSD
COAX and OPT Inputs
Formats	16-24 Bit, 44.1-192kHz PCM
AUX Inputs
Maximum Voltage (rms | peak-to-peak)	3.5V | 10V
Impedance	100k?
PHONO Input
Maximum Input Voltage (rms)	120mV
Impedance	47k?
RIAA EQ	No rumble filter used
LOOP Output and Input
Maximum Voltage (rms | peak-to-peak)	3.5V | 10V
Impedance (input | output)	100k? | 100?
AC Power
AC Input	100-240VAC, 50/60Hz
Maximum Power Consumption	1200W
On Mode (Idle) Power Consumption	32W
Standby Mode Power Consumption	<0.5W
Fuse	100-120VAC: 8A/250V Medium Acting 220-240VAC: 4A/250V Medium Acting
Physical
Height (including feet)	4.37 inches | 111 mm
Width	14.02 inches | 356 mm
Depth (including volume knob and speaker binding posts)	14.25 inches | 361.95 mm
Weight (shipping weight)	17 lbs (21 lbs) | 7.7 kg (9.5 kg)