@decooney LOL. Yes, the simpler the analogy, the more perfect the correspondence! Actually, I like to compare gear while running an electric train set in the background! After all, I'm still using ears and hearing, so what's the difference? ;-)
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
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The listening "differences" and preferences can vary greatly - is what I've concluded. @hilde45 the real truth I follow now is that I don't trust anyone else's ears or their measurements any more. None of that makes a hill of beans difference to me any more. We have a local NorCal AES group who still gets together once in a while, and I don't go any more like I did a decade ago. More than once I concluded listening in groups of 5 or more audio heads, people all have different preferences. Measured rooms, non-measured rooms, whatever the case have heard more sophisticated systems set up by others I really did not like very much, at all, and other simple systems with modest setups that sounded really good to me. We have a local dealer in business more than 56 years now. Had a small 10w integrated tube amp set up with simple 2-way speakers, simple CD player. Sounded absolutely beautiful, engaging. One of his lower cost systems on display that was nowhere near the level of sophistication of systems 5x the cost sitting next to it. Nothing special about the room or damping or anything like that. Nailed it. Thought to myself, maybe really good system matching matters most and it's not always about how much we spend or finding the perfect room for things. |
Getting back on track, @hilde45 given your different speakers and room testing, it would be fun to try the NAD M23. Reading up on it indicates a quiet noise floor and possessing a nice neutral sound and presentation. I'd like to hear one as well some day. |
I went through the same evaluation process just over a year ago and chose Marantz PM10. Before sending it to our home in NH, I had it in FL where I was able to break it in and compare it to my main system, which uses Class A Conrad Johnson. It compares fine. It is driving B&W 802 Diamonds, a difficult load, and does so with ease. Very smooth, very easy to listen to. The dealer also carries McIntosh, NAD, Luxman, and Levinson. He opined that the PM10 was the best of the bunch especially for B&W speakers. This was Ken Ishiwata's swan song and he knew what he was doing. |
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