PS Audio vs NAD M12
Out of the box the DSJ sounds amazing. Interesting that I'm praising an end of life product. It is so much better than the M12. Sorry for the NAD quasi-bashing, but here is my feedback. That unit will be going back. I hate to say it, the older technology NAD products (M12, C658, T758) are not that impressive. On the other hand, I think the M10 is a keeper. I love it and the sound w/ the nCore is very nice. Back to the DSJ, with my active speakers it sounds really good. Time to let it break in and see how it sounds. I don't know how much better it can get. It does emit hiss to my speakers, wondering if that is because of the lack of a pre-amp. When I ran the M10 (passive), it was dead quiet. I don't know what NAD did with the M10, but it is very impressive. DSJ has better bass, almost over powering with my Stealths. I went out an ordered the Elac 61 monitors.....my buddy is going to send me his Lyngdorf 3400 and see how good that will sound with passives speakers. I think I need an intervention... |
@razorbraun.. Good call on the S400s. Just was turned on to them also and probably will pre-order. It will be nice to compare them to the Adante's. Was able to set the attenuation correctly. I actually still have three concerns with the DSJ... 1. Lack of room correction 2. Potential need for an additional pre-amp 3. Discontinued product (although, Ted will continue his awesome FW updates) I'm afraid once I listen to the Lyngdorf, all bets will be off. |
lots of discussion around the need for a pre-amp. here is the answer from Paul.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F6z2iix_0c |
@jnehma1 Agree... The video from Paul is not definitive. Not that PS is trying to upsell additional components, but I'm now in the "keep it simple" mode. I love the M10 and my buddy just pinged me on the Lyngdorf and will end up with an integrated streamer/DAC/amp/room correction/cuisinart.... @razorbraun. I have the S400 on pre-order. Between Jon and a few other folks these speakers from Denmark are worth a try. I have Elac 61s arriving Friday and will be able to use the nCore's out of the M10. I love Hypex as I have built several of their UCD designs in the past. |
Interesting take over at the avsforum. I felt the M10 sounded better. Maybe the synergy between the M12/17 is really good. So I did a head to head of my Nad M12 an the M10. Using the pre-outs on both, feeding into my amp a M17, toggling them back and forth. (And I did this as a blinded test with both me and my wife) Streaming through Roon, the m12 wins. Not by a huge amount, but a noticeable amount. The M12 has more dynamic range, more depth. It seems more full. The M10 is slightly more flat, seems muddy in given ranges. And the same can be said of using the M10 amp (speakers). The M12 / m27 still wins. So I was hoping this was a one box solution. But sadly, no. So I am sending the M10 back. |
