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novaPre

Tube Preamplifier with DAC - novaPre

A hybrid tube preamp, DAC and headphone amp all in one package with asynchronous USB and 24 bit ESS Sabre DAC. Designed for a perfect match with the Peachtree220.
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Overview

"The novaPre seemed to be voiced with the sound of music in mind... with a combination of qualities that drew me into the music." Rated 5/5 Value For the Money! - Tom Lyle EnjoyTheMusic.com

The novaPre Loves Your Music

The novaPre was designed to enhance the digital sources that we all use today. Few sources are “analog”, yet most preamps on the market support analog only. The novaPre loves your music all the way from mp3 to full 24/192 resolution on your computer, Apple TV, Sonos, music servers, internet radio or whatever source you choose, plus analog!

The novaPre is three products in one:

  • Hybrid Tube Preamp
  • 24/192 DAC
  • Headphone Amp

The Peachtree 220 power amp is the perfect complement to the novaPre - in rosewood, high gloss black or cherry.

Peachtree220 amplifierPeachtree220 amplifier finishes

 


Design

novaPre

The Reasons It Sounds So Good

  • The ESS Sabre Digital to Analog Converter is widely recognized as the world’s best DAC when dealing with hostile digital components like computers and streamers.
  • The 24/192 Asynchronous USB Input provides the best possible resolution, which furthers the efforts of the ESS Sabre DAC.
  • All digital inputs with grounds are Galvanically Isolated which prevents electrical noise from entering the DAC board on all grounded digital inputs.
  • The Tube Buffer uses a stereo triode 6N1P to smooth the harsh digital edge found in poor recordings and compressed audio.
  • The Headphone Amp switches the speakers off when your headphones are inserted, so even when a quiet environment is required, you can still fill your head with lush high resolution music.

Superb Digital to Analog Converter

The ESS Sabre Digital to Analog Converter is widely recognized as the world’s best DAC when dealing with hostile digital components like computers and streamers. Jitter is all but eliminated leaving a beautiful digital canvas as a base. The art of this DAC comes in with the hundreds of additional parts and multiple power supplies designed around the ESS chip that work in unison to produce the Peachtree sonic signature.

The Challenging Digital Environment

The 24/192 Asynchronous USB Input provides the best possible resolution, which furthers the efforts of the ESS Sabre DAC. Asynchronous communication allows a high precision clock inside the novaPre to control the timing of the bitstream from the computer to the DAC. This further keeps jitter at bay by not relying on the less precise audio clock in the computer. USB implementation is one of the more difficult tasks. It takes experience, know-how and a willingness to make investments to bring it up to full performance.

Galvanic Isolation All digital inputs with grounds are galvanically isolated which prevents electrical noise from entering the DAC board on all grounded digital inputs. Any contamination due to the switching power supply, multiple ground points, and high speed processing is isolated from the DAC so nothing but pure 1’s and 0’s reach the DAC circuit. Taking into account the unit as a whole, this circuit was the biggest independent sound improvement overall.

Easy Listening

The Tube Buffer uses a stereo triode 6N1P to smooth the harsh digital edge found in poor recordings and compressed audio. It can be switched on or off from the remote control to match your preference at any given time. We find it especially good for Pandora, MOG, Spotify and most cloud-based listening.

Solitude

The Headphone Amp switches the speakers off when your headphones are inserted, so even when a quiet environment is required, you can still fill your head with lush high resolution music. Your headphones can also run through the tube stage so you can enjoy that smooth tube sound in solitude.

 

 

 

 

 

Specifications

novaPre Specifications


novaPre Back Stage Pass

1) Trigger: Automatically turns on amp from preamp.

2) USB Digital Input: Takes digital audio-content from your
computer’s USB and sends it to the Sabre DAC via
asynchronous communication.

3) Optical Input: Common on CD players, cable boxes, Apple
products, and other digital audio sources.

4) Coax 1 and 2: Common on CD players, Sonos players,
Slim Devices Squeezebox, and a host of other digital
audio sources.

5) AUX: Common on tape decks, phono boxes, and a host of
other audio sources. We recommend using a digital
connection when possible to take advantage of the Sabre
DAC.

6) Pre Out 1: For external amp or subwoofer.

7) Pre Out 2: Same as above

8) Standby Switch: Turns mains on and off.

9) Detachable Power Cord

10) Voltage Switching: For international use.

green environment DAC: ESS Sabre 9023

Resolution: mp3,16/44.1,16/48,24/88, 24/96, 24/176, 24/192

USB: Asynchronous up to 24/192

Optical: Up to 24/96

Coax: Up to 24/192

Tube: 6N1P

Line Output: 2 pair variable RCA 7v-11.2v peak

Impedance: Pre out 1, Class A, 50 ohms, Pre out 2, op-amp, 15 ohms

S/N: 96dB

Jitter: <3ps measured at master clock

Power Supply: 8700uf filtering

Separation: 94dB

Power Consumption:
60w max <1w standby

Dimensions HxWxD, inches:
4.37 x 14.8 x 11.5

Weight: 21.56lbs, 9.8kg

Warranty: 2 years parts and labor 6 mo. tube


remote

The full function remote control includes tube switching which allows you to customize your listening experience on the fly.

Special instructions for seller
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