2. amps-preamps
  3. 159946-16687

Hegel H390 or NAD M33 for Bowers and Wilkins 802D2 speakers?

I am looking for a one box amplifier, streamer, and Dac for my B&W 802 D2 speakers. My listening room is about 400 square feet with 18 foot ceilings.

I previously had a 200 watt Cambridge Audio 840W amplifier and 840 E pre-amplifier with a bluesound node 2 streamer DAC that I was pretty happy with but was looking for a step up in sound and a one box solution. I bought a NAD M10 six months ago but sold it after a few months because it didn’t seem to be as musical, rich, lively and dynamic as my previous Cambridge system. With the Dirac activated (standard version up to 500 HZ) on the NAD M10 the bass tightened up but the sound stage seemed to be pushed too far back in the room and the speakers seemed to have a veiled sound with the mids and highs toned down too much.

I think I have narrowed my replacement down to the Hegel H390 or the NAD M33. Both the Hegel H390 and NAD M33 are about $7,000 MSRP in Canada and both seem to be getting great reviews. I was leaning towards the Hegel H390 but the brand new NAD M33 seems to be getting some great reviews and as a bonus looks much better than the Hegel H390. My hesitation with the NAD M33 is my prior experience with the NAD M10 but perhaps the big brother newer M33 with Eigentakt technology has solved some of the issues I have had with the M10?

I will probably be only streaming Tidal and Spotify from my music system with no plans for vinyl. I am looking for a a warm, lively, dynamic sound and listen to everything from pop music, classical, jazz, vocals, and classic rock.Any suggestions on which of these 2 to buy? Unfortunately I probably won’t be able to take either of these home to try in my room with my speakers before I buy.

Thanks for any help offered!

spacemanrick

Showing 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,553 posts
 
The Soundstage web site (which I am a big fan off) has reviewed almost all the Hegels and also the new Purifi modules (as in the NAD). They loved the Hegels but have said the Purifi are in the category of very expensive reference gear. 

When I hear gear with very low noise I cannot go back to noisier gear. I miss out on so much of the music. Some may prefer the noisier sound.
yyzsantabarbara
4,553 posts
 
I was always suggesting to people to get the Hegel 390 last 2 years. However, today I would likely get the NAD M33 based on the Purifi module and that it should sound like the Benchmark AHB2. Both are super quiet, which has become a very high priority for me when selecting an amp.
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