Overview
Carina
Carina is a name in the Italian language that roughly translates to “pretty" and is derived from the Latin word Carus that means “beloved." We are confident that Carina looks and performs better than anything else in its price range - and many products that cost significantly more. Should Carina earn a place in your system it will win your heart and mind too!
Carina pre|DAC
What is it?
The Carina pre|DAC is our newest high-performance preamplifier and DAC, built on the acclaimed Carina platform. It’s designed to sit at the heart of your system—seamlessly connecting your sources (streamer, turntable, CD transport, etc.) to your power amplifier.
Why did we build it?
When we developed the Carina platform, we started with one goal: uncompromising audio performance—both audible and measurable. As power amplifier technology advanced, our earlier preamp design began to hold things back. The Carina pre|DAC solves that, delivering a purist design that not only elevates our Carina integrated amplifiers, but also stands proudly on its own as a world-class preamp|DAC.
Fun fact: the original Carina design actually began life as a high-performance preamp|DAC. But since our primary focus was integrated amplifiers, those models launched first. Now that the full Carina integrated line is complete, we’re returning to our roots—bringing the Carina pre|DAC to life and re-entering the world of separates.
What makes it unique?
The Carina pre|DAC includes everything found in the Carina integrated amplifiers—plus more. Alongside its single-ended preamp output, it adds both a balanced analog preamp output and an S/PDIF digital preamp output—all active simultaneously. This flexibility opens up a world of possibilities:
- Run longer balanced interconnects, placing your power amplifier closer to the speakers for shorter speaker cable runs.
- Seamlessly insert tone controls, an equalizer, or room correction system between the Carina pre|DAC and your amplifier.
- Send a pristine digital signal directly to another device, eliminating unnecessary signal conversions.
- Effortlessly drive digital input only power amps, like our highly regarded GaN-1, with uncompromised performance.
Design
Key Features of the Carina Platform
1. DAC (Digital-to-Analog Conversion) – Dual-Mono. Fully Balanced. Utterly Transparent.
Carina’s DAC is the foundation for everything that follows. Its dual-mono architecture—featuring two reference-grade 32-bit DAC chips, one per channel—delivers a fully balanced output with exceptional channel separation and ultra-low noise.
We also give you control over the DAC filter settings, letting you fine-tune the sound to your taste. Many purists prefer the FAST filters for maximum accuracy and best-measured performance, while others enjoy the SLOW filters for a warmer, more relaxed presentation. Your DACs, your choice.
But it doesn’t stop at chip selection. The output stage employs a discrete, servo-controlled I/V converter—essential for current-output DACs to achieve clean, precise voltage conversion. Servo control ensures accuracy and eliminates distortion. From there, the signal flows directly into a precision stereo relay ladder volume control, and finally through unity-gain buffers that independently drive the anaalog outputs and headphone stage with low impedance and zero signal degradation.
The result? A pure, transparent analog signal path that reveals every detail and nuance in your music.
2. Phono Preamplifier – Vinyl Done Right
Most products treat vinyl as an afterthought. Carina takes the opposite approach. Its built-in phono stage rivals dedicated units, using fully analog circuitry with a passive RIAA EQ between op-amps for accuracy and warmth. No feedback loops, no shortcuts—just proper analog design for serious vinyl playback.
From there, the analog signal is digitized by an ultra high-performance ADC and processed in the FPGA as a digital source. The result? Better performance, a vanishingly low noise floor, and the best of both worlds: true analog warmth combined with digital precision.
3. Volume Control – The Unsung Hero of Great Sound
Volume control is one of the most overlooked—and most critical—parts of any audio system. Done poorly, it can limit dynamics, blur imaging, upset channel balance, and strip away resolution. That’s why Carina offers two expertly engineered solutions:
- Digital Control
With dual 32-bit DACs, Carina maintains full signal integrity even at extremely low listening levels. For context, 24-bit DACs can attenuate by 66dB before resolution loss begins—that’s a point where music is barely audible in the room. Carina’s 32-bit architecture extends that range even further, delivering volume adjustment that is completely accurate, transparent, and free from sonic compromise.
- Hybrid Analog/Digital Control
For those who prefer analog level control, Carina features a stepped relay attenuator with precision resistors for level changes in the analog domain, while digital control manages the fine steps in between. The result is a uniquely transparent hybrid system that avoids the bottlenecks of traditional analog volume controls—outperforming both many competitors and our own earlier designs.
4. Headphone Amplifier – Not Just an Afterthought
In most products, the headphone output is an add-on. In Carina, it’s a centerpiece. The fully balanced headphone amplifier rivals standalone units, with true balanced output available right on the front panel—a rarity in this category, but standard here. From high-impedance dynamic headphones to modern planar magnetics, Carina drives them all with authority, precision, and zero compromise.
5. Intuitive Interface
- Dual-knob control: volume on the right, input on the left—simple, familiar, and effortless.
- Bright OLED display: large, easy-to-read volume numbers at a glance.
- Streamlined menu system: only the essentials, so nothing gets between you and your music.
The Bottom Line
The Carina pre|DAC is built without compromise. No shortcuts, no weak links—just pure performance across every format. From vinyl to high-resolution streaming, from full-range speakers to demanding headphones, Carina reveals the heart of your music with clarity, precision, and soul.
Specifications
Reviews
Review of the Carina 300
- “ I can’t help looking at a company like Peachtree Audio—a product like its new Carina 300 —and think that somebody there is listening.”
- “…one of the most surprising aspects of the Carina 300…. it’s designed to integrate seamlessly with BluOS multiroom wireless music systems.”
- “As adept as the Carina 300 is with iconic jazz and genre-bending rock, it also sounds just as sweet with the modern pop.”
Read the full review here….
Dennis Burger Carina 300 Review Notes
Turntable Grounding:
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to put it to a thorough test. As soon as the turntable was connected and the integrated amp was turned on and switched to the Analog input, I was hit with strong electrical interference and phwomping rumble from my ceiling fan as well as the LED light over my gear rack.
It’s worth noting that the U-Turn doesn’t have a grounding post, instead being internally grounded via the left RCA channel. That’s uncommon, to say the least, so I’m not ready to chalk this one up to a shortcoming of the Carina 300. Just a word of warning: if you’re going to use the amp with a turntable, you’d likely be better off with one that includes a grounding post.”
Turntables without a separate ground utilize a ground path through the RCA input on the connected device and any RF or AC Mains noise picked up by the turntable may be present in the audio pathway. This is a known issue with these types of turntables. We recommend using a turntable with a separate ground terminal/wire OR - if the option is available - using the built-in phono preamplifier of the turntable which helps to minimize the potential of noise from entering the audio pathway.
Bluetooth Antenna:
“The only other setup consideration worth mentioning here is the Bluetooth range. As I pointed out above, the BT antenna is ginormous—the biggest I’ve ever seen. Even bigger than the high-gain antenna of the iFi Audio Zen Blue V2 I keep around as the reference pick for my Wirecutter guide to BT receivers.”
The supplied antenna is provided for maximum range. The antenna can be rotated in any direction to alter its “look” and reception pattern. Bluetooth reception is also available without using the antenna connected but the wireless range will be reduced significantly. Alternatively, any other “RP-SMA 2.4GHz” antennas can be used providing a more desirable antenna size to range ratio. Please note when shopping for alternative antennas: the one supplied provides 5.8dB of gain, so if less range is desired, look for lower gain antennas.
Bluetooth CODECs:
“I do wish Peachtree gave any indication of what BT codecs are supported—either in the manual, on the web, or via the front panel. The product listing simply states, “Bluetooth 5.0 input with HD audio decoding,” which I assume means there’s some form of aptX support. But beyond that, it’s a mystery.”
All Carinas utilize Bluetooth v5.0 including the following CODECs: PCM LDAC, AAC, SBC, APTX, APTX LL, APTX HD and other high frequency encoding, LDAC can achieve 24/96 transmission.
Headphone Amp:
“But on a somewhat less-positive note, the amp just didn’t have enough oomph to drive the LCD-2 cans to satisfying levels. And when I pushed the volume up above 0dB to try and get some extra sparkle out of the song, I triggered some sort of fault-protection mode that functionally disabled the headphone amp until I power-cycled the Carina 300.”
The headphone amplifier provides maximum power from the balanced output. In terms of impedance, we recommend headphones between 32-150 Ohms (unbalanced output) and 32-300 Ohms (balanced output). Please note: the sensitivity of the headphones will affect the loudness as well. For maximum output into a high-performance headphone like the Audeze LCD-2, we recommend using the balanced output.
Audio Pursuit reviews the original Carina
"While $2499 is no small amount of change, the Carina is an absolute bargain."
"I cannot rave enough about the DAC section."
"Simply put, the Peachtree Carina integrated amplifier is insanely terrific."