The Nova, An Explosive Little Amplifier.

August 7, 2009
@ 3:57am

Peachtree Audio’s Nova is one of the better products to have been made going into the future! This Tube/Solid State hybrid Integrated Amplifier is a dream for both listeners of digital and analog music. One Nova will play a good 8 sources. 3 Analog inputs accompany 5 Digital inputs (1 USB, 2 Coax, 2 Optical) in this device making it a killer bargain at $1,200.

It’s the little things that make this an amazing product. A built-in D/A converter brings your digital sources to life through any of the digital inputs. Many hours of digital music have been enjoyed in different forms here in the store, and it sounds amazing! Another neat thing about the Nova is that you can switch the Tube Preamplifier section on and off. The reason behind this is that one can run the Nova as the Tube/Solid State hybrid that it is advertised as or completely in Solid State mode. Whatever your preference is between the two, the quick switch is right there. There is also a Home Theater Bypass available through one of the Analog inputs if you would like to use your Home Theater’s front speakers with the Nova. It seems that the only disadvantage here is the lack of a built-in phono-stage.

The Nova runs at 80WPC in Class A. When compared to the Carat I57 in Stereophile, the “Nova was more energetic, with punchier dynamics, more pointed articulation, more energetic bass, and slightly more well-defined treble”. All listeners from the most basic to high-end audiophiles are guaranteed to love the Nova. It’s hard to believe that it goes at the price that it does. If you’re looking for a great looking piece to function with all your components, look no further. This is what you want.