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

"@atmasphere ...they share the same smooth character in the mids and highs."

Thanks for the reply Ralph. The last comment about mids and highs, we see a lot about the better Class D amps having these characteristics of "smooth", or for many of them. Now how much of that comes as a tradeoff losing something else, I guess I’ll just have to try a few different Class-D amps down the road on my own system and speakers and room to figure out if I’m a future candidate buyer or not.

In the solid state and tube amp world, we can find amps that are smooth up top/mids, and also bring sparkle at the same time, and that can be tricky too, except with tube amps, its trying different input/output tubes to get there, as we all well know. Now leaving my tube amps on a lot, that’s another discussion, constraint.

I’m following @hilde45 ’s NAD M23 test and the whole Purify vs. Hypex testing sessions going on. Also, realizing that all Class-D amps are definitely not the same, and looking closely how some can still use transformers, and mosfets, and various things in the circuit and platform design closer back to my own SS amp roots.  I also noticed the M23 has a version-2, and what causes such changes, hmmm. 

I look for your amps in the show videos too, and hopefully we’ll see even more of yours paired up with some of the larger sized speakers we all know and enjoy.  Thanks again Ralph for sharing your thoughts, and accomplishments here on Agon.

Also, realizing that all Class-D amps are definitely not the same

@decooney IME, class D amps vary in sound more than tube amps, which is to say, quite a lot. 

IME, class D amps vary in sound more than tube amps, which is to say, quite a lot. 

There is so much variation in how an amp interacts with a speaker, and so much variation in speakers and their behavior – it would seem that the combination with the variety of tube amps out there would make the number of combinations staggering. 

If I understand it, most class D amps shouldn't interact very much given their low output impedance.

I guess, Ralph, the question becomes where does the variability you cite for Class D come from – to the point that they are *more* variable than tube amps?

For those following along:

2/17/26 Listening report, NAD M23 (Eigentakt 1) vs Hypex NCore DIY amp:

Observations: NAD winning still

• NAD still smoother; never cringey
• More timbrel presence in NAD
• Bass more accurate and full in NAD
• Sound stage more compressed in Hypex

Wife  listened to both:

• Hypex was: “one dimensional,” “muddy/congested”, “more confined in the center (sound stage)” “felt like it had less power”
• NAD was: “like movies, Dolby; really big filling the space”

To Ralph @atmasphere I was combing back through various audio show videos and vendors, PNW, Capital AudioFest and others, looking for examples of Atma-Sphere amps  in play at the shows with (your Tube & Class-D amps). Nothing serious, but it is another data point for reference. I have not been to a show in a while, may go again in the next year.  Sometimes it can be fun to do. I really like looking at who pairs up with who to put on a good room at the shows.    

Sure, we are noting the Fritz and Tektons both in a few rooms with your Class-Ds. Nice but kinda non-starter references for me. I may have missed a good example.  Do you have reference to anything past two to three years with your new Class-D amps, possibly an accomplished and well known multi-driver speaker, 3-way, 4-way, at a show - that you can share with us?  Thanks in advance.