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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
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
6,037 posts
 

@jackd Good suggestions! I know that there's a local reviewer who really likes the Orchard amps. Hmmm. You also say, "Like Ralph's amps these are not just off the shelf parts in a box." I'm not sure if that's a slight at NAD, which I *think* put quite a lot of thought into their design. 

@g4mobile Thanks for the comparison. I'm interested in the Atmasphere amps for sure. A bit spendy for me at the moment (compared to the NAD used) but if I can get a hold of a couple to try them out, that might be informative.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,425 posts
 

I can get a hold of a couple to try them out, that might be informative.

@hilde45 Dealers are often quite happy to help out in that regard. 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
6,037 posts
 

@atmasphere I am in Colorado, and there are no dealers here. I might go that route but between shipping and putting down full cost, I might not want to do that. It will be simpler if I can find a local Denver person who owns these and maybe we can have a listening session. I don't know if I'll be able to find them, but I'll try.

jackd
1,126 posts
 

@hilde45 

No slight intended towards NAD as I've never seen or heard one of their Class D amps.  Just a simple statement of fact.

decooney
2,565 posts
 

"@hilde45 if I can find a local Denver person who owns these and maybe we can have a listening session". 

And, then of course the most ideal situation would be to bring them to your house, with your source, your preamp(s), with your speakers, in your preferred listening room.   

I pretty much came to a conclusion a few years back that listening to familiar components at shows and other people's houses will result in too many other uncontrolled variables. It can actually create more confusion than benefit imo.   

 

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