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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
decooney
2,564 posts
 

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. 

billstevenson
1,164 posts
 

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.

imjerrys
57 posts
 

I've tried a number of IcePower and Purifi Eigentakt amplifiers (>10) and prefer IcePower IceEdge amps. The latest "shoot out" was for HT, an NAD M28 vs Legacy i8. The NAD, like a C298, had an electronic edge that was not musical. 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,994 posts
 

Thanks for the additional comments. If I can try something used, I will. 

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,049 posts
 

I am using 2 NAD 268's bridged, the little brother(s) to the 298. I will say that I am impressed with the power and the sound these amps produce. I have other amps, sugden class A for one....but the NAD's do a great job for relatively little money. I wanted a little more slam with my music, particularly with rock, and the NAD's deliver. 300 watts or more per channel on the peaks. Even audio science reviews Amir liked the 268......

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