Peachtree Carina 150 User manual

Carina GaN
Carina 300
Carina 150

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safety If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus

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The lightning flash with arrowhead
symbol within an equilateral triangle
is intended to alert the user to
presence of on-insulated hazard
voltage within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock.
No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.
direct sunlight or excessive heat such as a fire. Care should be taken in the act of
WARNING: The terminals marked with symbol of “+/-” may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock. The external wiring
connected to the terminals requires installation by an instructed person or
the use of the ready-made insulated leads of cords.
Correct disposal of this product. This marking indicates that this product
should not be disposed with other household wastes throughout the EU.
To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from
uncontrolled waste disposal, recycle it responsibly to promote the
sustainable reuse of material resources. To return your used device,
please use the return and collection systems or contact the retailers where
the product was purchased. The can take this product for environmentally
safe recycling.

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Carina
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Menu
Remote Control
Front Panel
Back Panel
Introduction
Specifications
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13
Using Carina as a Power Amplifier
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Warranty and Repair

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Thank you for choosing Peachtree Audio!
Carina is an integrated amplifier platform designed to please your ears and eyes. Housed in a
beautiful chassis crafted of aluminum and wood, Carina is several audio components in one; a
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), preamplifier, power amplifier and headphone amplifier.
All Carinas include audio inputs for multiple sources; USB-C for a computer or mobile device,
Bluetooth for wireless devices, two coaxial inputs and one optical input for wired digital audio
devices such as streamers or CD transports. Carina also includes a multi-functional analog
input with a built-in phono preamplifier for turntables with Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges.
This input can even be switched to bypass the internal phono preamp when using an external
phono preamp (required for Moving Coil cartridges) or when using the input as a "Home
Theater Bypass" for integration with an AVR or preamp/processor! A variable stereo analog
output is provided for integration with one or two subwoofers or an external power amplifier. A
12V trigger input and output are provided to automatically power on/off Carina with another
device.
Internally, Carina features a 32-bit architecture that is capable of handling all of the major
digital audio formats available today from compressed audio all the way up to 24-bit/768kHz
PCM and DSD512 (22.6MHz aka octuple rate DSD)! Carina utilize two separate ESS 9068
DAC chips in "mono mode" with one dedicated to the left channel and the other to the right
channel to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range and channel separation of the
system. The menu provides access to primary DAC settings for fine-tuning the sound even
further. The internal analog architecture of Carina is fully balanced so audio signals are
protected from external sources of noise and interference.
Carina offers three amplifier choices. The "top-of-the-line" Carina GaN utilizes a Gallium-
Nitride "power DAC" amplifier to achieve remarkable transparency and sound quality. It is
driven directly by the digital output of the DSP and does NOT utilize a feedback loop which
alters the audio signal driving the speakers. The audible improvement is immediately
noticeable and significant, even to a casual listener. The DAC section in Carina GaN provides
the analog signal for the headphone amplifier and the preamplifier output. This novel
implementation of a GaN-FET power DAC in an integrated amplifier results in sound quality
that was previously only attainable by much larger, heavier and more expensive solutions. The
Carina 300 and Carina 150 utilize the critically acclaimed Hypex NCORE power amplifiers to
achieve impressive sound quality and performance at significantly lower prices. The Carina
300 will drive almost any speaker available today with ease and authority and if your speakers
have relatively high sensitivity (~88dB or above) the Carina 150 could be a better fit. All
Carinas are capable of driving speakers with a nominal impedance between 2.5 to 16 and
have ample power to properly drive the vast majority of speakers available today to their full
potential while delivering deep, tight bass and transparent, natural upper frequencies that do
NOT induce listener fatigue.
Carina also features a premium-quality, fully-balanced headphone (HP) amplifier that
provides an exceptional listening experience through headphones. It has an extremely low
noise floor so the music is reproduced clearly and cleanly. The HP amplifier includes a
traditional 1/4" unbalanced output and a 4.4mm T/R/R/R/S "pentaconn" output for balanced
headphones. The headphone amplifier is not just provided as a convenience, it is designed as
a high-performance internal component that compares favorably with stand-alone devices.
Please continue reading this manual and visit www.peachtreeaudio.com to register your unit
to extend your warranty at no charge! Your information will NOT be shared or sold. We
sincerely hope that Carina brings you many years of listening enjoyment. Thank you again for
choosing Peachtree Audio!
- The Peachtree Audio Team
ΩΩ

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ANTENNA Connector
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2
1
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Provides an external antenna connection to maximize the reception range from
Bluetooth enabled devices. Bluetooth will function without the antenna
attached, but for maximum range we suggest using it and trying different angles
to achieve the longest range.
Enables power on/off control from another product with a 12V trigger output.
Insert one end of a 3.5mm cable into this input and connect the other end to a
12V trigger output of the product that will control it. Once connected, The unit
should power on and off along with the product controlling it. The input trigger
can be configured in the to power on the unit select specific
input(s).
MENU AND
Enables power on/off control to another product with a 12V trigger input.
Insert one end of a 3.5mm cable into this output and connect the other end to a
12V trigger input of the product that will be controlled by it. Once connected,
the unit can power on and off the product controlled by it.
For connection to a 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz AC outlet using the included power
cord. The fuse should only be replaced after turning the switch and
removing the power cord from the See the
section for the specific fuse values required. Caution: using an improper fuse
value may cause damage to the unit. Peachtree Audio does accept
responsibility for any damage caused by the use of an improper fuse value.
POWER OFF
AC INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
NOT
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12V TRIGGER INPUT
12V TRIGGER OUTPUT
Connects and disconnects AC power to the unit when the power cord is
connected between the and a 100-240VAC 50/60Hz AC outlet.AC INPUT
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POWER ON/OFF Switch
AUX
PHONO
GROUND
OUTPUT INPUTINPUT
USB-C COAX-2

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PHONO utilizes the internal Moving Magnet (MM) phono preamplifer. AUX
bypasses the internal MM phono preamp for use with an external phono preamp
(required for a Moving Coil cartridge) or to use the input for Home Theater
Bypass or other "line-level" analog input types. See the Home Theater Bypass
section for more details on how to setup and use this feature.
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Provides a variable analog audio output to connect to a powered subwoofer or an
external power amplifier. Note: the remain
active when the is used and both sets of outputs are
automatically muted when the mute function is engaged or when headphones
are connected via the front panel.
RIGHT & LEFT SPEAKER OUTPUTS
PREAMP OUTPUT
PREAMP OUTPUT
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ANALOG AUDIO INPUT
GROUND
COAX-2 INPUT
COAX-1 INPUT
Accepts S/PDIF digital audio input from a coaxial (RCA style) output up to
24-bit/192kHz PCM. For best results, please use a 75 Ohm cable with RCA style
ends designed for carrying digital audio or video signals. A regular audio cable
(typically 50 Ohm) will work but it is not ideal for this type of connection.
Accepts S/PDIF digital audio input from a coaxial (RCA style) output up to
24-bit/192kHz PCM. For best results, please use a 75 Ohm cable with RCA style
ends designed for carrying digital audio or video signals. A regular audio cable
(typically 50 Ohm) will work but it is not ideal for this type of connection.
OPTICAL INPUT
Accepts S/PDIF digital audio input from an optical (Toslink style) output up to
24-bit/192kHz PCM.
USB-C INPUT
Accepts digital audio input up to 32-bit/762KHz PCM & octuple DSD (aka
DSD512). Windows users note: to enable ASIO, WASAPI, or DSD playback,
along with “exclusive mode”, Please visit http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/usb-
drivers-and-firmware and download the latest version.
Speaker wire binding post outputs that accept banana connectors (insert into
hole on back of the post), spade connectors (loosen, position spade around post,
tighten), pin connectors (loosen, insert pin through hole on post, tighten) or
bare wire connections (loosen, loop around post or insert through the hole on
the post, tighten). See the diagram on the following page for more details.
RIGHT & LEFT SPEAKER OUTPUTS
SELECTOR SWITCH
Accepts analog audio input from a turntable equipped with a Moving Magnet
(MM) cartridge or other "line-level" analog audio sources. See the Home Theater
Bypass section for more details on how to setup and use this feature.
Ground connection for a connected phonograph/turntable or REL brand
subwoofer.

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Diagram of a speaker binding post
and how the most common types
of speaker cable terminations can
be connected.

1 2 456
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2
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Left knob
Right knob
IR Receiver (concealed behind the front panel display window)
1/4" Unbalanced Headphone Output Connection
4.4mm Balanced T/R/R/R/S (aka Pentaconn) Headphone Output Connection
Rotate in either direction to select the desired input. Push and hold for ~3
seconds to enter the . Rotate to move the option selection arrow up or
down. Rotate the to change the setting of the currently selected
option. To exit the , press and hold this knob for ~3 seconds.
MENU
Right knob
MENU
Rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise to increase or decrease the volume/
output level. Push and release to mute and unmute the output. When in the
, rotate to change the setting of the currently selected option.MENU
For receiving Infra-Red (IR) commands from the included hand-held remote
control or third-party remote control system by attaching an IR transmitter on
the display in front of the IR Receiver.
Inserting a headphone connection automatically mutes the
and . Removing a headphone connection
automatically un-mutes the and
Caution please lower the output level when inserting or removing
headphone connections as headphone sensitivity varies widely and a
comfortable speaker listening level may result in a significantly louder output
level when switching to headphones.
RIGHT & LEFT
SPEAKER L & R PREAMP OUTPUTS
RIGHT & LEFT SPEAKER L & R PREAMP
OUTPUTS. :
Inserting a headphone connection automatically mutes the
and . Removing a headphone connection
automatically un-mutes the and
Caution: please lower the volume / output level when inserting or
removing headphone connections as headphone sensitivity varies widely and a
comfortable speaker listening level may result in a significantly louder output
level when switching to headphones.
RIGHT & LEFT
SPEAKERS L & R PREAMP OUTPUTS
RIGHT & LEFT SPEAKERS L & R PREAMP
OUTPUTS.
Toggles the unit between on mode (green LED) and standby mode (red LED).
Note: AC power cord must be connected and rear panel switch set to
for this button to function.
POWER
ON
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On/Standby Button
Mute Button
Toggles the mute function on and off.
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Volume Up & Down Buttons
Display Brightness Button
Bluesound NODE Display Brightness Button
Transport Control Buttons
USB Button
Increase and decrease the volume
/ output level.
Toggles the unit between on mode and
standby mode.
Steps the brightness of the front panel
display through the available settings.
Steps the brightness of the lights on a
Bluesound NODE/VAULT through the
available settings.
Controls compatible BluOS devices, such
as the Bluesound Node, Vault etc.
Selects the USB-C INPUT.
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COAX1 Button
Selects the COAX-1 INPUT.
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COAX2 Button
OPT Button
ANLG Button
BT Button
Presets 1-8
Selects the COAX-2 INPUT.
Selects the OPTICAL INPUT.
Selects the ANALOG INPUT.
Selects the Bluetooth INPUT.
Selects presets 1-8 in a Bluesound NODE. Search "How to Create a Preset in
BluOS" online for detailed instructions on how to set these up. This feature is
incredibly helpful for those that use a BluOS streamer!
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VOL
COAX2USB COAX1 OPT
NODEDISPLAY
ANLG BT
PRESETS
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MENU
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PCM filter
NOS MODE
VOLUME
DISPLAY
BRIGHTNESS
BT INPUT
ALWAYS
powers up internal Bluetooth radio only when the unit is on and the
Bluetooth input is selected. keeps the internal Bluetooth radio
powered up regardless of input selection.
L-FAST L FAST
H-FAST FAST
M-SLOW SLOW
is a inear phase roll-off filter. It is the most common type of
digital filter and is the most accurate and neutral acoustically.
is a Hybrid roll-off filter. The length of the pre-ringing is shorter
and more consistent than the length of the post-ringing which is more like
musical instruments.
is a Minimum phase roll-off filter. It has smooth out-of-band
attenuation characteristics, and because of its in-band attenuation
characteristics, it has a smoother overall sound.
Each filter has an objective (measurable) and subjective (audible to most)
affect on the sound. We encourage you to audition all three filters to determine
the one that sounds the best to you. Most people will experience the
differences in high-frequency reproduction where they are more readily heard.
There is no "right" or "wrong" answer here, its all about personal preference,
room acoustics and the characteristics of your speakers...
ON
OFF
bypasses the oversampling feature in the DAC, sending the original digital
signal straight to the modulator. This mode is useful if you want to
experiment with any software-based oversampling features in products like
Roon, etc. engages the 8x oversampling feature in the DAC.
DIGITAL
HYBRID
uses a high-quality digital audio volume attenuator.
uses a high-quality analog resistor ladder in conjunction with a digital
audio attenuator to ensure optimal performance over the entire volume range.
There will be some clicking sounds from inside the unit when the relays switch as
well as some audible noise through the speakers or headphones at certain level
changes. This is normal and expected behavior for this type of volume control
and will not cause any harm.
BT POWER
ALWAYS
AUTO OFF
keeps the display on whenever the unit is on.
turns the display off after several seconds.
Sets the brightness of the front panel display. is the brightest, .81is the dimmest
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TRIGGER SEL
SET [INPUT] VOL
[INPUT] NAME ANALOG, COAX-1, COAX-2, OPT
INPUT & LAST
The 12V INPUT TRIGGER can be set to select one of the specific INPUT(S) or to
select the LAST input used when the unit was put into standby.
Sets the starting point for the volume / output level for each input
independently. Push the right knob to select the input to affect. Rotate the
right knob to change the initial volume / output level setting for THAT input.
sets the volume to the level used when the unit was put into
standby. -20, -35, -50 sets the volume level to these specific values. sets
the unit to 0dB FS (Full Scale-zero attenuation). Please use this setting with
extreme caution!
LAST LAST
FIXED
The input can be renamed: , or , the other inputs
can be renamed: , , , . The and inputs
can be renamed.
ANALOG PHONO AUX HTB
CD SACD TV STREAM USB-C Bluetooth
NOT
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USING CARINA AS A POWER AMPLIFIER
Carina includes a “FIXED” volume input mode that is designed to send the incoming signal straight to the power
amplifier. All of the inputs have this option but it is especially useful when integrating Carina with an Audio-Video
Receiver (AVR) or Surround-Sound Processor (SSP) to create a “Home Theater Bypass.” This allows the AVR or
multi-channel amplifier to power the center and surround speakers while Carina powers the front left and right
speakers. This should provide a significant improvement to the overall sound quality when watching movies and
TV as the amplifier workload is distributed across two different amplifier power supplies and the amplifier in
Carina is likely to be of higher quality. This feature is also useful if you would like to use the volume control in an
app of a connected device to control the overall system volume for that input on Carina.
To setup Home Theater Bypass (please follow these steps in order):
the Surround-Sound Processor (SSP) or Audio-Video Receiver (AVR) and Carina
. Connect the from the SSP or AVR to the on
Carina using a standard RCA style audio cable
. On the rear panel of Carina, set the switch below the analog input to (not PHONO)
. If your AVR or SSP has a , connect it to the on Carina
. Power on your AVR or SSP (and Carina if not using a trigger)
. In the Carina menu set to (Skip this step if your AVR or SSP does NOT have
a trigger output)
. In the Carina menu set to
In the Carina menu set to
Exit the Carina menu and select the input (Required if your AVR or SSP does NOT have a
trigger output)
. Power on the AVR or SSP and (this is necessary to establish the proper
output levels, time delays and EQ for all of the speakers when watching movies or TV)
If you do NOT have a 12V trigger connected from the AVR or SSP to Carina, you will need to make sure Carina is
powered an and set to the ANALOG input to use the Home Theater Bypass feature. If you have a 12V trigger
connected, this will happen automatically whenever the AVR or SSP is powered on.
To setup Volume Control Bypass (please follow these steps in order):
1. Power on Carina
2. In the Carina menu set to for the input you want to use the volume control
bypass feature with
Caution: when any Carina input volume is set to “FIXED” in the menu, it is operating as a power amplifier (the
volume control in Carina is bypassed) when that input is selected and the device connected to Carina determines
the volume of the signal that is sent to the speakers. If this feature is NOT setup and used properly, significant
damage to the system may occur. Peachtree Audio does NOT accept responsibility for any damage caused by the
misuse of this feature.
1. Power off
2 front LEFT and RIGHT preamp outputs ANALOG input
3AUX
4 12V trigger output TRIGGER INPUT
5
6 TRIGGER SEL ANALOG
7 ANALOG IN VOLUME FIXED
8 ANLG NAME HTB
9 ANALOG
10 re-calibrate the speakers
[INPUT] IN VOLUME FIXED
.
.
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Connect Line-level (RCA style) front left and right outputs
from the AVR or SSP to the ANALOG input on the Carina.
Home Theater Bypass or Volume Control Bypass
Carina
SSP/AVR
Audio source
A/V sources
Front Left & Right
Center Channel
Surround Speakers,
Subwoofer ( not drawn)
& Display ( not drawn)
Preamp out
Front L/R
Speaker Out
HTB
IN

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Peachtree Audio warrants this product for two (2) years, parts and labor, from
the original date of purchase from an authorized source. If you register your
product online at http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/pages/product-registration
the warranty is extended to three (3) years, parts and labor.
In the event of a product failure, please pack the unit in its original carton and
contact Peachtree Audio directly ([email protected] or +1-704-
391-9337) to abtain a Return Authorization (RA) number before shipping the
product!
Any products received without an RA number may be delayed, misdirected, or
lost.
After a RA number is issued by Peachtree Audio, please ship the product
using FedEx or UPS. Do NOT ship using a Postal Service! Also, do not ship
the unit in a carton with insufficient or loose packing material as the cabinet
will get damaged in transit and is NOT covered by Peachtree Audio.
Peachtree Audio assume no responsibility for products in transit. Please
insure the shipment for the product’s replacement value in the unlikely event it
is lost, stolen or damaged in transit.
www.peachtreeaudio.com

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www peachtreeaudio com collections integrated amplifiers products Carina-gan..//-//
To be continued

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Continued
1200W

Model:
110V
AUX
PHONO
GROUND
OUTPUT INPUTINPUT
USB-C COAX-2
Carina GaN
Carina 300
Carina 150