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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
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
regarding the op's original query 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grhW_mW_bSI

this is on point, and these guys spell it out... they are very experienced, run a serious brick and mortar store, carry BOTH hegel and nad, thus no axe to grind... they tell the truth in with a balanced and complete perspective (skip past first few minutes of small talk, serious content starts about 5 min in)
audiofound
81 posts
 
I auditioned an H390 along with 6 other high end integrated amps. The Hegel sounded pretty much as good as  any of the others. Very impressive sounding amp. The other 6 amps included: Pass Labs INT 60, Gryphon Diablo 300, NAIM Supernait 3, Luxman 509x, Simaudio 340ix, and VAC 170i (all tube). I loved them all. One wasn’t necessarily better than the others. I just like the flavor of sound with Pass Labs gear, so I went with a Pass INT 250. But I would also highly recommend the Pass Labs INT 60 unless you really need gobs of power. But, not a thing wrong with the H390 either. Wonderful amp. You might want to keep in mind the H390 is a Chinese made amp designed in Norway. Makes a difference with some people, not a problem with others. I’ve not had the opportunity to audition any NAD gear. But I’ve read that they punch above their weight.
mjrwhitehead
2 posts
 

I just went through the exercise of auditioning, the newer Hegel H 400 versus the M33. I was lucky enough to be able to do it in the dealership listening room, but on the same speakers that I own, the paradigm founders 100f.

 

I also own a Naim, unity nova and I love the streaming environment and application that come with the nova, and so I wanted to like the M33 which has a similar comprehensive streaming environment and application. By comparison, Hegel has a very minimal app. As a side note, I do run Roon, So that does act as a great alternative to a native app for a streaming amplifier.

For me, on those loudspeakers, I found the H 400 by comparison had more openness and airiness in the top end, A wider sound stage with better definition, and noticeably better grip on the bottom end - So I purchased the H400’s.

I’m still no fan of the Hegel app, But if what you want Is the ultimate sound quality and listening experience, I think you have to go with the H400.

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