By Peachtree Audio was founded in 2007 and operates out of North Carolina. In recent years, they have made a name for themselves by utilizing a direct-to-consumer model and leveraging the newer class D amplification technologies such as Hypex NCore and Galium Nitride (GaN). The Peachtree Carina X uses the new Hypex NCore X module (which is designed to have lower distortion and noise), which produces 300 watts into eight ohms and 600 watts into four ohms, and is rated to be stable at 2 ohms. On top of that, the integrated amplifier features fully balanced circuits, two coaxial inputs, an optical input, a USB-C input, a preamp out, and an input that you can toggle to either use the built-in phonostage or as an analog auxiliary input. When we look at the internal audiophile DAC, it has been built with two ESS 9068 DAC chips (one for the left and right channel) that can accept inputs up to 768k with PCM and 512 with DSD. If that isn’t enough, the Peachtree Carina X also has Bluetooth version five if you prefer to stream your music using that method. Peachtree Audio has managed to pack all this inside a 14-inch-wide, 4.3-inch-high, and 14-inch-deep retro-styled piano black or gloss mocha box. That is a lot of specs, so let’s get into whether this integrated amplifier is one that you should look at for your audiophile system.
What Makes the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier So Special?
- The Peachtree Carina X’s form factor makes it ideal for smaller spaces. One of the huge advantages of using Class-D amplification is that you can use smaller form factors and still have big-time power. Peachtree has put this on full display, as the Peachtree Audio Carina X is capable of putting out 300 watts into eight ohms and 600 watts into four ohms. That is going to be enough power to fill most rooms with ease.
- USB-C input to the DAC is great. Being able to easily plug your laptop, tablet or phone right into the DAC can make streaming so easy. I know that USB-B is still the audiophile standard, but it always makes me happy to have the accessibility of USB-C.
- The Peachtree Carina X remote is really solid. So often, the remote controls that come with audiophile gear feel either flimsy or hard to use. I found the remote that Peachtree supplied to be both intuitive and fit nicely into my hand.
- The Peachtree Carina X digital display is helpful. The display that is placed on audiophile gear is often hit or miss. I found the information that the Peachtree Carina X displayed to be a hit. It is simple, but just showing which input you’re using, the volume, and the quality of playback coming from the DAC for me is really all you need.
Why Should You Care About the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier?
Peachtree has found a really nice space with their Carina line of integrated amplifiers. They are offering you lots of clean power and headroom, while also providing you with an integrated amplifier that provides a beautiful retro look. Oh, and by the way, it won’t dominate your physical space, and you won’t need to reinforce anything to ensure it can handle the weight. This is why we are seeing so much more Class-D amplification and it is why people in the hobby are really excited to see where the integrated amplifiers that use these technologies can go from here.
Some Things You Might Not Like About the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier
• There isn’t a dedicated subwoofer output in the Peachtree Carina X. While you can certainly add a subwoofer, using the preamp out that is included, it would have been really nice to have a dedicated subwoofer output built in so you could better integrate the subwoofer with your speakers.
• HDMI input would have been a nice touch in the Peachtree Carina X. Pure audio listeners won’t mind not having HDMI, but for folks who use TVs in their setups, having HDMI built in is always great, as it reduces the number of other boxes you might need to add.
• It would be nice to have more analog inputs. Only having one analog input can be restrictive for users who want to start by using the Peachtree Audio Carina X as an integrated amplifier, but may wish to add more inputs or use a separate DAC later. I would love to see future versions have more analog inputs and add balanced inputs as well.
Listening to the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier
I tested the Peachtree Audio Carina X with Paradigm Founder 80F speakers, along with a Bluesound Node (2024) streamer, a Pro-Ject X1 turntable and a
Schiit Skoll F phono stage. The Bluesound Node was connected using a WireWorld Starlight 10 coax cable to the ESS ES9068 DAC chipset in the Peachtree, and the phono stage was connected using the RCA input.
When testing integrated amplifiers, one of the tracks I enjoy playing is “Black Lion” (Qobuz 44.1 kHz) from Makaya McCraven. This is a modern jazz track from McCraven’s 2018 release Universal Beings. What makes McCraven’s tracks so unique is that he records the music live and then mixes and matches parts of all his records into individual tracks, much as a DJ would. I use this track primarily to test the DAC, as there are a lot of intricate sounds that are layered in behind the drums, bass and vibraphone. The DAC was able to pick these details up and it didn’t seem to have added any warmth to the performance. The ambience of the track was in place, with the groove of the drums and the bass guitar and all of the dynamics in place in a noticeable way. The overall performance sounded neutral, which is really what you are hoping to find.
Another track that is great for testing out speakers is “The Chain” from Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours Live (Qobuz 96 kHz). This live version of the famous track comes from a 1977 recording at the then “Fabulous Forum” in Los Angeles. Considering the age of the track, the live recording is incredible. What really stands out in this version of the track is the John McVie bass solo that comes in around the four-minute mark. With the Peachtree Audio Carina X, you are easily able to pick up all the notes from the bass guitar and, as the solo builds into the bigger jam as the track comes to a close, the sounds stay cohesive. The layering of the guitar, bass, and organ stays distinct without getting muddy, which is a testament to why it is so nice to have the headroom of the Carina X.
The last track I used was “Any Major Dude Will Tell You” by Steely Dan (Qobuz 196 kHz). This track comes from one of my favorite Steely Dan albums, Pretzel Logic. This is a great test track for all the midrange sounds, as well as the unique guitar solo. When I listened to the track through the Peachtree Carina X, I was immediately able to hear to hear the separation between the acoustic guitar and the warmth of the electric piano as they intertwine at the opening. On the guitar solo around the 2:00 mark, the sound was very clean, with no warmth being added by the amplification. This is a distinct difference from the Rotel DX-5 (read my review), which added a bit of warmth to this solo by comparison.
Will the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier Hold Its Value?
The future value of most mainstream integrated amplifiers is sometimes difficult to predict. I expect that an integrated amplifier that has this much power should continue to hold value into the future without too much trouble, as there really isn’t too much on the market that is like it now. Peachtree is a solid brand and there’s really cool, relevant technology under the hood. I think you are going to be good here when it comes to your audiophile investment.
What is the Competition for the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier?
The HIFI Rose RA280 ($3,395 – buy at Crutchfield) is the closest competition to the Carina X in my eyes. It offers 250 watts of power into eight ohms and uses a GaN-FET chip for its amplification. Everything else, though, is nearly the opposite from a design perspective. The RA280 features a moving magnet phono stage, three unbalanced analog inputs and a balanced analog input, but no digital inputs. It also has a designated subwoofer output, as opposed to the preamp out that the Peachtree Carina X has. If you want the same level of power from your integrated amplifier, but also want lots of analog inputs and no DAC, then you might consider the HIFI Rose RA280 (read the review).
You may also consider the Marantz Model 30n ($3,500 – buy at Crutchfield). This integrated amplifier very much fits into the traditional space. It has 100 watts per channel of Class-D power (Hypex NC500 modules) into eight ohms, five analog inputs, a phono stage that can handle moving magnet and moving coil, but also no DAC, so no digital inputs. For most people, this will make the Marantz more expensive, as you will need to add an external DAC, or rely on a DAC that is built into your source.
Lastly, the Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class ($3,499 – buy at Crutchfield) holds some of the retro visual appeal with its use of VU meters, but after that, it is a pretty different animal. The SU-G700M2 Grand Class features 70 watts of Class-D power into eight ohms, and has an included DAC, two coaxial inputs, two optical inputs, and USB-B. This goes with a moving coil and moving magnet phono stage that has four different gain adjustments, two unbalanced analog inputs, line out and a pre out.
Final Thoughts on the Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier …
There is a lot to love about the Peachtree Audio Carina X. This integrated amp truly stands out from its competition with the natural sound of the amplification, as well as the headroom it provides with its beefy 300 watts of power. This is going to be the type of product that should really catch the eyes of audiophiles when they are doing their virtual window shopping because of those aspects, as well as its retro industrial design. There really isn’t too much to complain about, outside of the lack of analog inputs, but I would guess that at least 80 percent of the market would get the same comment, as it is expensive to offer that many inputs from a parts-cost standpoint.
If you’re in the market for a mid to higher-end audiophile integrated amplifier, you owe it to yourself to check out the Peachtree Audio Carina X and see for yourself if it is the right piece for your setup. This is certainly a piece of equipment that I will be sad to have to return, and I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing many a product in this class.
