Bairnstorm
pfm Member
This is probably a continuation of a recent thread about Nord amplifiers. It progressed in to a discussion about class D amplification and coincided with my beloved XTC POW1 300 watt class AB power amp dying and having to visit the amp hospital. It is still being repaired and unusually the transformer has gone.
For a few days I coped but decided to try my NAD 7050 in my main system powering KEF Reference 3.2's. These are tricky 4 ohm floorstanders that like a bit of current, something the 300 watt XTC could deliver. It normally powers KEF LS50's.
Having expected the NAD to be a waste of space it proved very capable leading me to think about a class D power that would work with my VTL pre and my vinyl collection.
The aforementioned thread sang the praises of Bel Canto but new they are expensive and second hand prices are unrealistic. If you disagree explain why a REF500 from 2011 is for sale for £1,700 and a new one is £2,500. It makes no sense.
Having been surprised by the NAD I have plumped for the NAD Masters M22, It has Ncore modules.
NAD have brought out a C298 which has the newer Purifi modules in a less expensive box and cheaper power supply. I thought about it but the dealer said the M22 still sounds better. There are deals to be had on the M22 probably because it will be upgraded in the near future. If I don't like it I can send it back.
It arrived on Monday and I have been listening all week with varying results.
Day 1 - Once I connected the supplied earth wire between it and the pre, which stopped a light buzz, it sounded very clear with great bass and full of detail with a touch of filigree detail in the treble. Timbre is natural. Sound sits behind the speakers and doesn't extend too far in to the room so far but the speakers do dissolve away.
Some stuff sounds fantastic like Jethro Tull as acoustic guitar is natural as are vocals. The Anchoress is rather dreamy - beautiful vocals and orchestral strings ethereal.
Changes have occurred over the week. Sometimes it sounds ultra detailed and at others missing familiar clues.
I have heard bits that I haven't heard before and at other times the presentation is different. I wonder if it needs time to bed in?
Soundstage is now extending slightly outside the speakers but depth isn't as good as the XTC although perfectly acceptable.
Tonight I played Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream and it is was mastertape like. If you demoed with this album you would buy it immediately.
I then played Stone Roses Second Coming and it sounded as rough as a badger's posterior. I have heard it sound like this before but it was disappointing. The loping Mani bass line on Breaking in to Heaven wasn't very loping and the guitar pans were flat. It was the same with the Real Me on Quadrophenia although the bass line initially sounded good. That flat sound up to the speakers spoiled the 3d soundstage and the drama.
So pluses - natural sound, good soundstage back from the speakers, cheap to run, looks lovely, very very quiet, black background, powerful 300+ watts, detailed, rhythmic, good dynamics, can sound like mastertape.
Negatives - Some albums great some awful, up to 80db great, over rough, shallow soundstage, sometimes not so rhythmic, dependant on material.
There is so much good here so I am going to persevere and see how it develops. Hopefully if the XTC comes back soon I can compare.
For a few days I coped but decided to try my NAD 7050 in my main system powering KEF Reference 3.2's. These are tricky 4 ohm floorstanders that like a bit of current, something the 300 watt XTC could deliver. It normally powers KEF LS50's.
Having expected the NAD to be a waste of space it proved very capable leading me to think about a class D power that would work with my VTL pre and my vinyl collection.
The aforementioned thread sang the praises of Bel Canto but new they are expensive and second hand prices are unrealistic. If you disagree explain why a REF500 from 2011 is for sale for £1,700 and a new one is £2,500. It makes no sense.
Having been surprised by the NAD I have plumped for the NAD Masters M22, It has Ncore modules.
NAD have brought out a C298 which has the newer Purifi modules in a less expensive box and cheaper power supply. I thought about it but the dealer said the M22 still sounds better. There are deals to be had on the M22 probably because it will be upgraded in the near future. If I don't like it I can send it back.
It arrived on Monday and I have been listening all week with varying results.
Day 1 - Once I connected the supplied earth wire between it and the pre, which stopped a light buzz, it sounded very clear with great bass and full of detail with a touch of filigree detail in the treble. Timbre is natural. Sound sits behind the speakers and doesn't extend too far in to the room so far but the speakers do dissolve away.
Some stuff sounds fantastic like Jethro Tull as acoustic guitar is natural as are vocals. The Anchoress is rather dreamy - beautiful vocals and orchestral strings ethereal.
Changes have occurred over the week. Sometimes it sounds ultra detailed and at others missing familiar clues.
I have heard bits that I haven't heard before and at other times the presentation is different. I wonder if it needs time to bed in?
Soundstage is now extending slightly outside the speakers but depth isn't as good as the XTC although perfectly acceptable.
Tonight I played Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream and it is was mastertape like. If you demoed with this album you would buy it immediately.
I then played Stone Roses Second Coming and it sounded as rough as a badger's posterior. I have heard it sound like this before but it was disappointing. The loping Mani bass line on Breaking in to Heaven wasn't very loping and the guitar pans were flat. It was the same with the Real Me on Quadrophenia although the bass line initially sounded good. That flat sound up to the speakers spoiled the 3d soundstage and the drama.
So pluses - natural sound, good soundstage back from the speakers, cheap to run, looks lovely, very very quiet, black background, powerful 300+ watts, detailed, rhythmic, good dynamics, can sound like mastertape.
Negatives - Some albums great some awful, up to 80db great, over rough, shallow soundstage, sometimes not so rhythmic, dependant on material.
There is so much good here so I am going to persevere and see how it develops. Hopefully if the XTC comes back soon I can compare.