Peachtree Audio Nova User manual

Contents: Nova Owner’s Manual and Product Specications
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Introduction
Safety Guidelines
Back Panel Connections
Front Panel Controls
Remote Control
Technical Specications
Product Guarantee and Service
Trouble Shooting

1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Peachtree Audio Nova amplier.
While Peachtree Audio is a new company, the people behind the design and mar-
keting of this ne product have been in the Consumer Electronics business over 30
years. The design of the Nova is an attempt to marry audiophile level amplication
with the unique capabilities of external Digital to Analog converters. The ability
to process and play compressed and uncompressed music files that have been
downloaded to hard drives makes the Nova a unique product. The fact that it vastly
improves upon the performance of most computer-audio systems is a big plus; and
our original goal.
This manual is your guide to the functions and connections associated with the
Nova. It will process a host of digital audio sources from the Apple Airport to the
Slim Devices Squeezebox, to the Roku Soundbridge, to the Linksys Music Bridge,
to the Sonos ZP80, and to the digital output of your CD player. And of course, you
can plug an iPod in to it, too.
We sincerely hope that the Nova provides you with years of trouble-free music
listening, and that you will use it often. We will try to keep updates on our website,
http://signalpathint.com/index.htm , and you may also want to contact your dealer
should you have any questions.
Thanks again, and Happy Listening!
The Guys at Signal Path
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2
Safety
Guidelines
1) Please do not attempt to service this unit yourself. There are no user serviceable parts
inside (except tube replacement) and a shock hazard exists with the cover off.
2) The tube can be replaced easily. Unplug the unit. Remove cover by removing the
screws on the bottom of the unit.. Firmly pull the old tube out. Replace with new tube.
3) Be sure that the unit is connected to an AC outlet with the proper voltage.
4) It is important that the unit is not exposed to water and moisture. If this happens, unplug
the AC cord and do not turn it back on until the unit is completely dry.
5) Place the unit away from heat-producing appliances such as radiators and stoves. Also,
be sure the unit always has a fair amount of ventilation.
6) Always replace fuses with units of the same specication.
7) We recommend unplugging the unit during a lightning storm
Unpacking and Warranty
8) Keep all packing materials for future shipments. (service)
9) Keep a record of your bill of sale and a copy of the serial number for warranty and
insurance purposes.
10) You may register your unit on the Signal Path website. www.signalpathint.com
Important Safety Instructions
Caution: Please read all instructions and warnings, both in
this owner’s manual and on the product itself.
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Back
Panel
Connections
Terminal Window: This opening will allow you to seal off a digital audio wireless device but still have access to the
terminals. If there are heat concerns then leave the entire storage bay panel off.
Voltage switching: For international use. Unplug the Nova before you make the switch and be sure to use the
proper fuse for the voltage chosen. **warning ** Improper voltage setting may cause damage to the Nova.
AC power cord attachment & Fuse: The three prong power cord is included in the Nova box. Fuse is user replace-
able after turning the Nova off. You may call your dealer or Signal Path’s service department with any questions
regarding fuse replacement. **warning ** using the wrong value fuse may cause damage to the Nova.
USB Digital input : to connect directly to your computer. The LED next to the USB connection will remain lit when
the signal from your computer is locked.
Coaxial Digital input 2: for coaxial digital sources
Optical Digital input2: for optical digital sources
Optical Digital input1: for optical digital sources
Coaxial Digital input 1: for coaxial digital sources
3.5mm IR Remote input and output
Aux3 / HT bypass: see explanation *
Aux 2: for analog line level sources
Preamp output: to connect the Nova to an external amplier or to a subwoofer. The Nova amplier is still active
when the preamp output is used.
Digital lter slope: user selectable DAC lter slopes allow for a sharp slope which measures better and a soft slope
that is preferred by many audiophiles.
Line level output: This xed output will allow the user to feed the Nova’s sources in to another preamp input.
Aux 1: for analog line level sources
Speaker terminals: The speaker terminals are clearly marked red-positive
and black-negative for proper polarity connections.
Storage Bay: You can store a digital audio wireless device like the Sonos
ZP80 or the Linksys Music Bridge in this compartment. There may be con-
cerns about reduced wireless range or heat buildup, though that has not been
our experience. If either happens, you should remove the device to see if you
get better results.
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*The Home Theater Bypass is used when you want to integrate the
Nova in to a Home Theater system that has Preamp outputs on the sur-
round processor.. First you should turn down the volume. Then you
take the Front left and Right preamp outputs from your Home Theater
processor and plug them in to the Aux3/HT Left and Right inputs. Next
you activate the HT button next to the Aux3 input. At this point you are
bypassing the preamp stage of the Nova and using the Nova’s amplier
to power your left and right front speakers in your home theater. You
will also have 2 Aux inputs for analog sources such as an iPod or a CD
player. This feature allows you to have a large number of digital inputs
integrated in to your Home Theater setup.

Front
Panel
Connections
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1
Digital USB input: for computer audio sources
Power /on/off/standby
Digital Coax input: connects to the pcm coaxial digital output of CD players, DVD players, Wadia iTransports,
Sonos ZP 80, Slim Devices Squeezebox, etc…etc…
Digital Coax input: connects to the pcm coaxial digital output of CD players, DVD players, Wadia iTransports,
Sonos ZP 80, Slim Devices Squeezebox, etc…etc…
Optical digital output: connects to the pcm coaxial digital output of CD players, DVD players, Wadia iTransports,
Apple TVs, Sonos ZP 80, Slim Devices Squeezebox, etc…etc…
Optical digital output: connects to the pcm coaxial digital output of CD players, DVD players, Wadia iTransports,
Apple TVs, Sonos ZP 80, Slim Devices Squeezebox, etc…etc…
Aux 1 analog input: for any analog line level output device including an iPod
Infrared remote signal sensor
Aux 2 analog input: for any analog line level output device including an iPod
Aux 3 analog input / Home Theater bypass (see back panel explanation)
Tube (valve) window
Volume control
Headphone input: _ “ phono standard
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4
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*The lighted rings around the digital input
buttons will blink until the digital signal is
locked on the DAC

The No v a remote control is straightforward, easy to use, and el-
egantly designed. You remove a screw on the back to replace dead
batteries. We suggest that after you manually turn the Nova “on”,
that standby be your default position when the Nova is not in use.
It will not damage the unit or wear the parts out more quickly than
being completely “off”.
On/Standby: This button switches
Coax 1 & 2:These buttons select a
digital audio source at the Coaxial
digital connection.
Opt 1 & 2: These buttons select a
digital audio source at the Optical
(or Toslink) connection.
Mute: This button will mute the
Nova.
1)
Volume + - : These buttons will
increase and decrease volume levels.
The motorized volume control has
an LED indicator for easy level
viewing from a distance.
3)
USB: This button selects a digital
audio source at the USB connection.
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4)
5)
6)
7)
between “standby” and On” . When
in standby the Nova draws very little
voltage. We recommend turning the
Nova off by leaving it in standby.
Tube: When engaged, this button8)
will bypass the tube in the preamp
circuit allowing for SolidState
performance.
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Aux 1,2,and 3: These are your three
standard line level inputs. See Back
Panel page for an explanation of the
Home Theater bypass.
5
Remote
Control

6
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Technical
Specifications
At the time of this printing exact specications
were not available. Please refer to our website,
www.signalpathint.com, as we will post them
ASAP.

Trouble
Shooting
The remote control doesn’t work
Please check the batteries by removing the cover on the
back of the remote. It is an infrared remote so it needs a
clear line of sight to the sensor on the front panel of the
Nova.
You intermittently lose your signal on the USB input
The rst thing to try is rebooting the music server
program ( iTunes, Foobar, WMP, etc) and see if that works.
Then try turning the Nova off, then re-boot your computer.
Then turn the Nova back on. If the computer still doesn’t
recognize the USB DAC repeat the process and also un-
plug the USB cable from the computer and the Nova, then
plug it back in right before re-booting. These are com-
puter devices, and sometimes you’ll lose a signal just like
your printer or any other USB device.
You should not have this problem often. We designed the
Nova to remain locked on the USB signal at all times, but
sometimes you can still get a signal dropout.
You pick up hum and noise through your Nova in your
ofce system
This can require some trial and error diagnostics.
If you have music les stored on a laptop computer, hook it
up to the Nova and a pair of speakers using battery power.
If it works properly with no noise then your computer in your
ofce is introducing a ground loop in to the system. This
is not uncommon; but the Nova has transformer coupled
digital inputs to minimize this problem. If problems persist,
please feel free to contact Signal Path.
When you switch from one source to another you get a
loud “click” or “pop”
Sometimes this is from static buildup but it should
not occur consistently over a long period of time.
Contact your dealer or Signal Path if this persists.
Your Coaxial Digital connections do not sound quite right
You must use a wide bandwidth 75 ohm digital interconnect
in this application. If you use a standard audio RCA cable
the results will not be nearly as good. This is not an unusual
mistake as the two interconnects look identical but sound
different.
Your iPod doesn’t sound quite right through the Nova
Your iPod offers custom equalizations for headphone
use that aren’t necessary with the Nova and a good pair
of speakers. Use a “at” response and be sure the iPod
volume is set to match the other components in your
system. If you nd that you still need equalization, then
start at “at” and make your settings from that point.
The Nova will not turn on
Make sure the on/off switch on the front panel is en-
gaged. Check to be sure the AC plug is connected. Check
the fuse.
The Nova unit turns on but there is no sound
Be sure you have the proper input selected. Make certain
the mute isn’t engaged. Determine if your source is on. If
the input button is blinking then your digital signal is not
locked. Check your cable for connections and your
source to be sure it is on and playing.
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8
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Product
Guarantee
and
Service
International Guarantee
The Nova has a 1 year Parts and Labor guarantee from the time of purchase. Tubes are
covered for 6 months. Units that are covered under this guarantee include Novas purchased
from any authorized Nova distributor or dealer.
Signal Path can take no responsibility for defects arising from accident, misuse, abuse, wear
and tear, neglect or through unauthorized adjustment and/or repair. We also cannot accept
responsibility for damage or loss occurring during transit to or from the person claiming under
the guarantee. The warranty does not cover shipping costs.
Claims Under Warranty:
The equipment should be packed in its original packing and returned to the dealer from whom it
was purchased, or if unavailable, directly to the Nova distributor.
You should use a reputable carrier….Do Not Send By Postal Service. . Signal Path can-
not accept responsibility for the Nova while in transit to the dealer, distributor, or service facility.
Please insure the unit against loss or damage while in transit.
In the unlikely event that you experience a failure with your Nova, please call for return
authorization number before returning products for service. Any Nova received without an RA #
will be refused. You may also wish to route your repair through your dealer, which we encourage.
Call 704-391-9337 for a return authorization number.
Main ofce (not service)
Signal Path International
2045 120th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
Website: www.signalpathint.com
Warranty,Contact, and Support Information