Peachtree Audio nova125 Integrated Amplifier Journeyman Audiophile
By Mark Marcantonio
In the world of hi-fi audio, some equipment just begs to be stared at, like gear with the big blue McIntosh power meters, or a brightly glowing 845 output tube. Others, like classic 1970s Pioneer receivers, welcome being pushed, touched and turned. In the case of Peachtree Audio’s nova125, this little integrated amplifier inspires anyone within arm’s reach to caress its real-wood casing. The appeal is instantaneous.
Classic curves aside, the nova125 is a 21st-century integrated amplifier designed for the digital-audio enthusiast. With USB, Toslink, and two coaxial inputs, the nova125 has one’s preference for music-server output covered. Just a single analog input joins the digital quartet, leaving room for those needing a vinyl fix, with the help of an external phono preamp. A set of RCA preamp output jacks are included if you desire to move up to separates, or want to add a powered subwoofer (or two) to your system.
My nova125 review unit arrives with a dark rosewood veneer case—cherry wood and high-gloss black are also options. The amp measures 14.8 inches wide, 11.5 inches deep and 4.4 inches tall. It weighs in at just under 15 pounds. While diminutive compared to my reference Simaudio Moon i-7 integrated, the nova125 is solid in stature. Its elegant yet understated front face, with rounded buttons outlined in blue light when engaged, accentuates its curvy look. Even the tube window has rounded edges. The smooth, damped action of the volume control, should you choose not to use the remote, has the feel of an amp twice the price of the nova125, which has an MSRP of $1,499.
What’s in a Name?
True to its model designate, the nova125 delivers 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms (or 220 watts into 4 ohms). This integrated begs to be pushed to the limit, easily pressurizing my 13-foot-by-18-foot listening space through my reference Harbeth Compact 7ES-3 speakers.
The thundering bass lines on Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” pulsate through the room, with the nova125 keeping the woofers well controlled—the Harbeths are speakers that need major current drive to sound their best, and the nova125 delivers. Keeping in the Zep groove, I turn to “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” the bluesy fourth track on Led Zeppelin III. The nova125 reproduces John Bonham’s legendary drumming with incredible finesse at the beginning of the track, while Jimmy Page’s guitar eases in slowly and later screams with authority. The Hammond B3 shines through very convincingly and with plenty of weight.
I then challenge this little amp with a pair of Magnepan 1.6s, which are notorious for easily absorbing the output of most amplifiers, driving them into fits of clipping. The nova125 is up to the challenge, and proves its mettle.
Next up are various orchestral works, which the nova125 reproduces honorably. Filling the room with “Jupiter,” from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, which I play at high volume, the nova125 stays with the musical score, and the soundstage never collapses—my ears give up first. Surviving this torture test proves that the amp has a robust power supply and the ability to drive a wide range of speakers, something that, until recently, was a problem for many Class-D amplifiers.
ICE amplifiers are known for their solid bass response and drive, and the Nova 125 does not disappoint. The deep, sinister bass beats on Kanye West’s “Hold My Liquor,” from his recently released Yeezus, rattle everything in my listening room that isn’t nailed down. A few classic tracks from Pink Floyd prove equally compelling. The quality of the bass response that the nova125 delivers is as impressive as the quantity, with more texture than I would normally expect from an integrated amp at this price.
The 6N1P vacuum tube that lurks behind the nova125’s front panel can be used as a buffer stage, and it can be easily switched in or out of the circuit via the supplied remote. Offering a bit more smoothness, the tube really adds some warmth to MP3-based selections, and it is also nice to have on hand for a bit of system tuning. This isn’t necessary with the already forgiving Harbeths (though still enjoyable for this listener), but it makes a huge difference taming the edges on budget speakers.
The critical midrange region is perhaps the only area where the nova125 can’t really escape its price point and topology; though, to be fair, this is the downfall of all ICE designs. Mumford & Sons’ “Hopeless Wanderer,” for example, is full of powerful acoustic guitar work, and it feels a little congested coming through the nova125 in comparison to my reference Simaudio i-7 (which, to again be fair, is priced new at $6,000, making it four times the cost of the nova125). Luckily, the Peachtree amp’s tube buffer goes a long way to mitigate this.
I borrow one of Peachtree’s original Decco integrated amps from a friend for comparison, which reveals the tremendous progress that the company has made in a just few years. The design of the nova125 is miles ahead in every respect.
Doing Digital
Connecting an Apple MacBook via the amp’s USB input allows me to compare how the nova125’s built-in ESS Sabre 9023 DAC chip handles 16-bit/44-kHz files versus 24-bit/192-kHz files. S/PDIF and Toslink inputs are also available, so the nova125 should accommodate whatever source you have at your disposal. Using iTunes with the Amarra upgrade works perfectly, and you can save $100 on a copy of Amarra when you register your nova125.
Dialing back from the hard rock of Led Zeppelin, I go with the Indigo Girls, whose stunning harmonies reveal that the nova125 is a cut above other ICE amplifiers. The buttery smooth vocals on “Watershed” illustrate the openness and lack of glare that the nova125 provides when powering the Magnepans. It’s a perfect example of clarity without the edge. This amplifier is a non-fatiguing delight.
Just Add Analog
A well-rounded integrated amp, the nova125 offers a single analog input, making it easy to add a turntable. Pairing the amp with the $200 Lounge Audio phonostage we reviewed in issue 55 and the $400 Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable (with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge) makes for a synergistic low-cost, high-performance system. For those craving a richer analog experience, the nova125 is not out of its league paired with the Rega RP6 turntable with Exact cartridge (though this duo has a higher price tag than the nova125), easily illustrating the increased resolution that the Rega combination has to offer. As great as the nova125’s DAC is, the recent Mobile Fidelity 45-rpm remaster of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan underscores the palpability that this amp is capable of, capturing a lot of the space and decay in Dylan’s voice, along with the texture of his harp.
For the headphone crowd, the nova125 comes with 1/4-inch jack on the front panel. The amp’s headphone section is far from an afterthought, delivering a sonic signature through a pair of Sennheiser HD800s that stays true to that of the speaker output. The sharp percussion hits on R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People” stay quite even, with no edgy boost to break the smoothness. Vocals lack the last bit of resonance that a dedicated headphone amplifier provides, but as a part of a multipurpose unit, the nova125’s headphone offers worthwhile private listening when speakers aren’t a viable option.
The Final Score
Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” a phrase that suits the Peachtree nova125 perfectly. Great sound, contemporary industrial design and incredible flexibility make this amp a tough one to beat. We are pleased to award the Peachtree nova125 one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2013.
And it really appeals to this Portlandia resident that Peachtree has taken a major green initiative with its products. The California Air Resources Board has certified the MDF used for Peachtree cabinets, its packing materials are recycled and the company’s veneers are sourced from Forest Stewardship Council–approved suppliers. Well done, Peachtree!
Peachtree Audio nova125 Integrated Amplifier
MSRP: $1,499