It is an incredibly powerful integrated amplifier, with 450 watts per channel at 4 Ohm load, Peachtree Audio nova300 can drive most speakers without breaking a sweat. That is also a problem, there are so many to choose from which speakers should you go for. This is exactly what this article is going to show you, we are going to list out the best matching speakers to pair with this amazing integrated amp. But before that, we should first understand the sound characteristic of Peachtree Nova 300.
Once we know the sound characteristic and important specifications of Peachtree Audio Nova 300, we will then be able to determine the best speaker partners. No point in spending over $2,000 on an integrated amp without getting the best out of it.
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Specifications and Characteristic of Peachtree Audio Nova 300
The most appealing specification of Peachtree Audio Nova 300 will be the power output which is 300W per channel at 8ohms and a whopping 450W per channel at 4ohms. At this price point, you are really getting a lot of power for the money and this amp is using the new generation ICEPower amplification which is a Class D amplifier. Usually, for music, Class AB amps are better sounding due to the warmer & ‘smoother’ nature and ICEPower amps (Class D) are still quite warm sounding.
Another important specification to take note of will be the frequency response which is only 20Hz–20kHz (±0.4dB). With the power output, we know that full-range floorstanding speakers are an option but will be quite pointless to get speakers with a frequency response that exceeds 20kHz (at least not by too much). The aesthetic design of Nova300 is quite difficult to match unless the speakers are vintage/retro looking then maybe both of them can blend in seamlessly. Other notable features will be the built-in ESS Reference 9018K2M Sabre DAC and Pre-Out which you can use to connect to a subwoofer which I always find useful.
More Details at Amazon – Peachtree Audio Nova300 Integrated Amplifier
The sound quality is surprisingly warmer than I expected from a Class D amplifier (ICEPower), and just a tad harshness in the treble when driven at high volume. The soundstage is wide and deep, with amazing separation of the instruments. The stereo imaging is really exceptional, the sound delivery is precise and agile. The bass is tight, detailed, and rich, you can immediately tell the difference between each percussion instrument. Peachtree Audio Nova300 is always composed but does lack a bit of the energy that you need for a fun music listening experience.
The treble can be a bit harsh at times, the plucking of the acoustic guitar, the cymbals clashing, etc., it is definitely bearable but I wonder if is because of bad recording or just that this Peachtree Audio amp can be a tad bright at times. Class AB amps do have more smoothness but sometimes “color” the sound, for Peachtree Audio Nova 300 it doesn’t do that or at least barely noticeable. The scale of the music delivery is truly satisfying, the amps’ high power output drives and opens up the floorstanders, making it fill the room with ease and crystal clear clarity.
There’s a little lacking in the bass oomph, but can be easily solved by adding a subwoofer. No doubt with this setup you can definitely listen to music or watch movies at earth-shattering volume. With the Home Theater Bypass, you can easily integrate Peachtree Audio Nova 300 into your surround sound system. This is indeed a versatile amplifier, all thanks to the plethora of features that comes with it.
Peachtree Audio Nova300 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 300 watts per channel at 8Ω, 450 watts per channel at 4Ω
- DAC: ESS Reference 9018K2M Sabre
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (<+/-0.4dB)
- Analog | Digital Source: 8Hz-20kHz (<0.1dB | <0.5dB)
- Inputs: Asynchronous USB, Coax, 2x Optical inputs, Phono (MM) input, Loop, AUX (HTB) input, Asynchronous iOS input
- Outputs: Pre-Out, Headphone output, Loop
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 111 x 356 x 362 mm (4.37″ x 14.02″ x 14.25″)
- Weight: 7.7kg (17lbs)
Recommended Speakers to pair with Peachtree Audio Nova300
More Details at Amazon – KEF R3 Standmound Speakers
KEF R3 is one of the top pairing choices for bookshelf speakers, the balanced sound characteristic and entertaining delivery, fits well with Nova 300. It becomes even more fun to listen without losing any clarity, transparency, and detailed resolution. The natural tonal balance and insightful presentation of the music leave you wanting for more. The bass is rich and agile, if you want a deeper bass extension, you can go for KEF R5. Peachtree Audio Nova300 has ample power to drive this magnificent beast, delivering a larger scale presentation and bass authority. The amplifier also helps by providing more control on the sound reproduction of KEF R5.
More Details at Amazon – KEF R5 Floorstanding Speaker
Other top choices will be ribbon and electrostatic speakers, especially Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL. It requires a lot of power to fully unleash its potential and Peachtree Audio Nova 300 has plenty of that. The scale of the soundstage and stereo imaging are incredibly impressive, these two have worked together to create an immersive and cohesive sound reproduction that will entertain you for days to come. This could probably be the best pairing speakers for Nova300 but don’t take my word for it, have a listen yourself. Audition this pair of ElectroMotion ESL and hear how musical they really are, it is definitely worth your time.
More Details at Amazon – MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL Hybrid Electrostatic Loudspeaker
The Magnepan are incredibly musical sounding, like all ribbon/electrostatic speakers, they require a high-powered amplifier and usually lack in the bass department. With Peachtree Audio Nova300, we have solved both these issues, firstly Nova300 has 450watts per channel (4Ω) at its disposal, and secondly, you can add in a subwoofer via its’ Pre-Out to supplement the bass. You can start with Magnepan LRS which is their “Budget Loudspeaker of the Year” and have a listen first. From there, you can also audition the Maggies higher range models, listen to them using your Peachtree Nova300 amp, and hear the magic with your own ears.
More Details at Amazon – KEF LS50 Mini Monitor
There are actually plenty of options, another amazing choice will be the KEF LS50 where owners just love how terrific they sound. KEF LS50 has won many accolades over the years and this Peachtree amp has more than enough to unleash its fullest potential. You must be thinking why not KEF LS50 Meta instead, it is indeed an improvement over its predecessor but it is very transparent and revealing. Nova300 is just a tad warm sounding and the trebles are quite harsh at times, and the sound quality could be bright-sounding and clinical if both of them are paired together. This is also a reason why you should avoid overly bright-sounding speakers.
More Details at Amazon – KEF LS50 Meta
If you have the budget, you should check out another ribbon/electrostatic speakers such as Quad, Spatial Audio, etc. Another floorstanders you can look out for will be Q Acoustics Concept 40, it has very impressive sound quality at that price point and fits nicely with Peachtree amps.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 40 Floorstanding Speakers
The Versatility of Peachtree Audio Nova300
Fully utilizing the DAC, you can use Peachtree Audio Nova300 as your desktop PC audio system or be part of your home theater system or as a 2.0 stereo system purely for music listening. This is how flexible Peachtree Audio integrated amplifier is, and based on the type of usage, you can determine what type of speakers you want to go for. For instance, for your PC desktop, you might want to use bookshelf speakers and for your HT setup, floorstanding speakers will be an excellent choice. Maybe for your stereo system, you can go for ribbon or electrostatic speakers.
More Details at Amazon – SVS SB-2000 12″ Sealed Subwoofer
If you will be connecting a subwoofer via the amp’s Pre-Out, you can just opt for bookshelf speakers. As you can see, based on your usage and other available HiFi audio components may help you determine which type of speakers you might need right now. Hope this will help in shrinking the pool of speaker choices, giving you an easier time to shortlist the potential ones. You may also want to further filter by the frequency response that is closely matched with Peachtree Audio Nova 300.
Sum it up
The above-recommended speakers can be used as references or you can immediately schedule a time to audition them. It is always wise to hear the sound reproduction using your own ears, as it is you that the speakers must please. Once you have confirmed that you really like the sound quality, then you can really think about buying it. Always audition the speakers by pairing them with your amplifiers and for this case will be Peachtree Audio Nova 300, use the same set of speaker wires too. If possible, the testing environment should be inside your home or as similar to it as possible.
Ribbon or electrostatic speakers are highly recommended, their sound quality is usually very close or on par with high-end speakers which cost a lot more. As mentioned, the drawbacks are that they are power-hungry and lack the low-frequency oomph but there are full-range ribbon/electrostatic speakers that can reach deep bass extension of down to 20Hz, check out Magnepan 30.7. You can also supplement the bass with subwoofers and/or Bass Panels.
