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Exploring class D amplification, NAD C268 with non-NAD preamplifier

Hi,

Just a question for folks who have experience with this amplifier. I got a chance to listen it with the NAD C368 preamplifier at a dealer near me. It was paired with Simaudio streamer and DAC along with Sonus Faber Lumina III speakers. I thought it sounded well rounded with lots of music which is what I like. However, it somewhat lacked the characteristic weight and natural decay of instruments and voices (to me). Some might call this dry sound? I'm wondering if anyone has tried this amplifier with a non-NAD preamp that changes this characteristic maybe a little? The C268 amplifier is intriguing because you can change the gain on inputs. I'm assuming to allow for various preamps.

I tried this once before with the MIcroZotl 2.0 headphone amp/ pre with a PS Audio S300 amplifier. It was very promising except for the gain was such a mismatch, I have very little room to play with volume range. The S300 does not have the variable input feature.

Any input from owners is appreciated.

Thanks

lmartinez_02170
soix
10,239 posts
 

You’re worrying about gain too much.  It’s rarely a problem and as long as the input impedance of the amp is over 10x the output impedance of the preamp you’ll almost always be fine.  The big concern is you clearly have an issue with the sound.  It’s a cheap Class D amp so not surprising you’re finding it dry sounding.  Cut bait.  It’s the wrong amp for you, and there are tons of other options.  Here are a few off the top of my head worth a look…

https://www.galion-audio.com/products/galion-ts-a75-power-amp

https://classdaudio.com/product/gan-fet-amplifiers-3/

https://www.schiit.com/products/wotan

Pair one of those with something like a Schiit Freya and you’ll probably get much more of what you’re looking for. 

https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-f

Just a few ideas, but it really sounds like the NAD pieces aren’t doing it for you, so don’t force the square peg into a round hole when there are so many other excellent options out there.  Best of luck. 

lmartinez_02170 OP
28 posts
 

Thanks Soix,

I appreciate your good points. Here are a few notes. I liked the NAD combo! Yes it does not sound like good class A\B. I have some good ones...Quad 909 and Schiit Aegir (semi A). However, class D, IMO, is getting better. As I said I'm exploring class D again since its been a year or 2 since I last took a look. Whether the NAD amp is cheap or not, I have no clue but it sounded good to me as did the Microzotl 2.0\PS Audio S300 pair.

Pairing the freya with Class D Audio looks promising. The other 2 amps look like class A/B. Both over 40 pounds. Not what I'm looking for with this query. That and the energy consumption.

I'm aware of the impedance ratio and it's not gain that I'm worried about. The MiroZotl sounded really good with the PS Audio S300. It's just that for my speakers, my listening levels and streaming songs that have varying recorded levels, I would like a combo to have more range in the volume from 0 up to at least a quarter of the control range. I probably would have keep this pair had it been so. That's why the NAD C268 feature is intriguing but not what I'm primarily looking for.

It's of question of whether a different preamplifier with the NAD C268 can make it a little less "dry". Maybe not and I'll definitely looked into the freya\classdaudio pair.

Thoughts from any others with experience with the NAD C268 and a non-NAD preamplifier. 

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