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Comments please on: NAD M23 vs c298 vs. other newer Class D

I'm interested in comments about the new-ish NAD M23 amp. It gets rave reviews on the Absolute Sound channel, by Doug Schneider and by the review at Sound Stage, and by others. Reviews describe not only an even response across frequencies, but layering of the soundstage (left-right and front-back) as well as excellent measurements. Some describe the sound as somewhat tube like in the mids and upper range, others as neutral, but all agree it does not have the harshness which typically characterized reports about earlier amps with this design.

I am not giving up my Pass XA 25, nor my QS Mono 60 tube amps. Or my ST-35 Dynaco. What I'm interested in is a another amp in the stable that can play nicely among different speakers (not all are as sensitive as my main 97db ones), and that might bring that snappy dynamic speed to the sound but without making me cringe from the highs.

If you have some opinion of this Eigentakt design, especially in comparisons to Atma-sphere's Class D or other amps with similar technologies inside, please comment. (PS Audio, Bel Canto, et al.)

If you have some opinion of the NAD M23 vs. the cheaper-but-still-Eigentakt NAD c298, I'm interested in that, too.

I'm NOT interested in super pricey amps. Say, above $8k

hilde45
grunge1000
101 posts
 

@hilde45. I have the Class D Mono blocks from Atmasphere and they are not bright or shrill in my system. I would assume that was an effect from the room. Ralph is super easy to work with and he has a very long home evaluation period.

 

Good Luck..

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,403 posts
 

Rooms at shows are always tricky. The best time to hear equipment at a show is usually the last day, when the people in the rooms have sorted out how to make things work. I've had so many shows where the first day sucked. 

I've never been able to get a room at a show to sound as good as at home.

IMO the best thing at shows is to allow you to meet people. And some rooms can sound quite good, but you must always look at that as a side benefit :)

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,994 posts
 

I totally agree about rooms, so I was just trying to emphasize that despite my experience, I attribute it to the room and setup. And to the Tektons. So, totally open and positive mindset about the potential of these amps.

Just wanted to make that super clear.

jackd
1,123 posts
 

@hilde45 

You might want to reach out to Leo at Orchard Audio and get added to the tour for his new Starkrimson 25 mono amps.  If you're not inclined to wait then you might want to consider just ordering a pair with the no questions asked 30 day return policy and listen with your gear for a longer period of time than the tour rules allow for.  I've owned a pair since June and they are very satisfying little 150wpc amps for $2500 a pair.  Unlike previous Class D amps I have owned with ICE, Ncore and Nuprime modules these amps have a tonal density somewhere between a good SS amp and a tube amp. None of that bleached out tone or bright top end. Like Ralph's amps these are not just off the shelf parts in a box.

g4mobile
28 posts
 

@hilde45

I owned the NAD M23 V1 for a couple years. I purchased it when it first came out. I really liked this amplifier. It was very well built and beautiful to look at. The sound was very neutral and not harsh at all in my system. The M23 amp has punch and maybe a little exaggerated in the bass. I really liked that, but it might not be for everyone. If I were to go back to Class D, I would go with Atma-Sphere. Ive heard their amps in a friends system and I love the sound. 

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