My NAD 3020 D proves your Class D tropes are wrong

I have auditioned an NAD c298 which uses purifi tech. I had this powering a set of martin logan 60xti. I was using my naim uniti atom as a preamp. They sounded really really good. I tried doing side by side comparisons with the naim uniti itself powering the speakers. This isn't a fair comparison as the atom is only 40 wpc. However, playing both at high (Not ear splitting) levels I was able to detect a subtle difference. I could be biased as I do love the naim sound. However, I found the NAD to be a bit too clinical in its presentation compared to the naim which was more lively and easy to listen to although not overly warm. The NAD was VERY clean but almost to a fault. I did use TIDAL. I do think class D is the future whereas class A and AB have kind of hit a wall as far as growth and expansion. Class D still has room to grow. 

@decooney I wish I could say I put a ton of time in. I may have listened here and there for less than 20 hours total in a few weeks. I did not switch speakers in or out. Here's the good news... ultimately when it came down to it (to the OP's) point I did not find the NAD to be that much different than the naim. In this listening area I sit close enough that I don't know more than 40 watts unless I really wanted the whole house to party. My naim was enough. I auditioned more so to see if I could hear any large different and possibly put the NAD in my other listening area where I do need more power. The benefits is that the chassis was so much smaller and lighter in weight. NAD makes an excellent class D amp and I really don't have much bad to say. I think the differences were so subtle. 

@decooney yes I've heard similar reports. I believe PS Audio burns in certain products before shipping as well. To be honest I'm not a huge proponent of burning in although your example would give credence to it. Not trying to get into a burn in or not thread.. I am curious in your opinion and others in this forum...

Is one possible reason we lean away from class D because of its distortion profile or lack thereof? My understanding with the best class D and purifi products distortion is really low. Maybe I'm wrong. On the end of the spectrum class A and AB products introduction more distortion but in a "good way" and this creates that "tube" sound so many audiophiles gravitate to. I'm not saying there's no class a or ab products without low distortion. I'm saying the distortion introduced by those products might be more pleasing to our ears. This is the departure away from measurements and numbers and just what we like to hear. Maybe there's more of the 2nd order harmonics if you subscribe to that. Class D might be too clean after all making those products sound clinical and unexciting. 

@kren I didn't know about this product. My experience with CA is that their amps are a little too forward for my liking. I found them powerful but fatiguing. Interesting they are going to class D. I can't imagine they will do as good a job as NAD and can't see this unseating the naim although it is competitively priced. It remains to be seen but based on what I know about those 3 companies CA may have to lower the price point.