Peachtree GaN400 Manual page 5

Thank you for choosing the Peachtree Audio GaN400. The GaN400 is a "class-D" stereo
power amplifier that utilizes GaNFETs (Gallium Nitride Field-Effect Transistors), an 850-watt
RMS regulated power supply, a fully balanced topology and a low global negative feedback
design to achieve an astounding 400 watts-per-channel while achieving sound quality that is
remarkably faithful to the input signal. It has balanced and unbalanced audio inputs, a trigger
input, and is compatible with speakers that have nominal impedances from 2.5Ω to 16Ω. The
GaN400 drives virtually any speakers, including low sensitivity ("less efficient") speakers with
the utmost ease and authority, while delivering a level of musicality and transparency that is
extremely rare, especially in high output power amplifiers.
The GaN400 achieves new levels of performance and efficiency by utilizing GaNFETs
instead of MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) that have been the
industry standard for more than 50 years. MOSFETs revolutionized the electronics industry in
the second half of the 20th century and have become the most common transistor in
electronics and the most widely used semiconductor device in the world! Their significance in
the electronics industry and the other industries that rely on them can't be understated.
However, over the years, the rate of MOSFET improvements leveled off as the performance
got closer and closer to the theoretical limits of the materials and processes. The need for
something better grew. Enter GaN.
GaNFETs started to gain attention over the last decade as audio engineers and designers
realized that they were suitable for high frequency, high voltage, high temperature and high
efficiency applications especially when compared to their MOSFET counterparts. GaNFETs
turned-on ~4 times faster and turned-off ~2 times faster reducing switching distortion (ringing)
by several orders of magnitude. This, in-turn, allowed designers to use much less global
negative feedback to achieve excellent measured results. The result is an amplifier with
exceptional musicality and excellent measured performance. In other words, an amplifier that
provides wonderfully natural sounding music reproduction like the best tube amplifiers, yet
retains the tight bass, extended frequency response and sheer dynamics of the best solid-
state amplifiers. It really is the best of both worlds and all of this is accomplished in an amplifier
that is also one of the most efficient designs in the market today converting ~96% of the
electricity from the wall into usable power.
Every power amplifier is dependent on its power supply to provide the power reserves
necessary to drive the loudspeakers at any volume level. The GaN400 is no different and it
utilizes an impressive 850-watt RMS regulated power supply. This supplies the output modules
with all the clean power they will ever need - even when things get really loud. The power
supply uses the best parts available to ensure high performance, durability and long-term
reliability.
The GaN400 represents a next step in the evolution of power amplifier design and
manufacturing. It has exceptionally accurate waveform reproduction, amazing power and
control, low global negative feedback and extremely efficient use of AC power. It provides the
highest level of musicality without sacrificing the remarkable efficiency of a class-D design and
is proudly assembled in the USA. The GaN400 is simply the best sounding power amplifier we
have ever made and compares favorably to the world's best power amplifiers regardless of
their topology. For the first time, class-D amplifiers have become state-of-the-art!
Please take the time to read this manual and visit www.peachtreeaudio.com to register
your Peachtree Audio product. We will extend the standard warranty if you do and your
information will not be shared. We will only contact you with updates that are relevant to
Peachtree Audio!
We sincerely hope that you love your GaN400 and that it brings you many years of
listening enjoyment. It represents the very best of what we do and if you have any questions or
feedback please contact your reseller or Peachtree Audio directly. Thank you again for
choosing Peachtree Audio and happy listening!
- The Team at Peachtree Audio
INTRODUCTION