NAD M2 with Sonus Faber Cremona Ms

You are proposing to drive a set of $10K speakers with a $2,500 integrated (list). I hate to say, but I think these speakers need better electronics. The C390DD seems to be 150 watts at 8 ohms and 150 watts at 4 ohms, although the NAD specs seem to say >150 watts at both 4 ohm and 8 ohm, which is a pretty unusually way to specify the power. NAD typically under rates their power, but an amp that puts out the same watts at 4 ohms and 8 ohms does not seem to have a very robust output stage. I would look into that. The Cremona M are nominal 4 ohms speakers.

I generally like NAD gear and I have not heard the Cremona M with this NAD, but I think you may not get the best out of these speakers with this amp. You might want to look at used gear if $2,500 is your price range.

Some used options for integrateds currently for sale here

Ayre Ax7e - Ayre is usually a good match with SF

BAT V300x

Conrad Johnson CA200

The Ayre does not have as high a power rating, but may do fine. You might want to find a Ayre/Cremona dealer and ask for some advice. They are a pretty common combination. At 91 dB, the M is pretty efficient.

I have not heard any of these with the Cremona M, so am just making some general suggestions. The NAD may be OK, but I would also look at some of the used options.

809nola - Glad you like your M2.

I do not believe the M2 uses Class D amplification. At least according to what I read on the NAD website the M2 uses traditional Class A and Class AB technology, not Class D.

It really looks to me like the 390DD uses the M2 digital front end technology but changes the amplification stage for A/AB to D. I may be wrong, but I think the 390DD introduces Class D into the line.

If you have different information, please let me know. I really like NAD products, but the M2 and the 390DD are new to me.

Rlwainwright - Please calm down.I like NAD gear. This unit has good specs, although from the specs I cannot tell how it handles a 4 ohm load, which is what the Cremona M specs give for its nominal impedance. I would just like to see a spec other than >150 for both 4 and 8 ohms. Just did some looking. According to Stereophile, it does 165 watts at 8 ohms, 250 watts at 4 ohms, which is good but not great for 4 ohms. I did find some references to some people having concerns with the unit when impendence dropped below 4 ohms, which may well happen with the M. I believe this has a Class D power stage.

The NAD is undoubtedly a very good unit. But the Cremona M are very fine speakers. My conjecture, and that is all it is, is that something like an Ayre VX-V would bring out more in the Cremona M than the NAD would, although, as I said, I have not heard either. That does not mean the Cremona might not sound pretty good with the NAD. I just think you can probably get somewhat better performance with some other gear.

Note that we are talking about integrateds, not power amps. The sound it produces with the M depends on more than just ability to deliver current.

I have a lot of SF speakers, although not the M. My experience is that SF is often somewhat finicky about electronics, although the M was designed to be less finicky than previous speakers. When I got my amp for my Cremona I tested several before finding the one I liked. And they were all high current amps.

I understand that lesser priced equipment can preform very well. But, without some real comparisons I would not automatically assume, based on its specs, that it would bring out the best in the M. If it in fact sounds as good or better than $10K integrates, that would be great.

On the side, if you want great specs at low prices, try Emotiva. A lot of poeple like them. You can get 250 watt at 8 ohm and 400 ohm at 4 ohm for $389 per monoblock. But I am not sure I would put them up against the likes of Ayre, BAT, Conrad Johnson, Levinson, etc. for driving the Cremona M.

Donjr - First, the OP did not originally say that $2,500 was his price point. He just pointed out what he was considering. I doubt he set that point based on optimal sound but rather on financial considerations. Which is fine. I doubt he compared the NAD to the top end Ayre, for example.

What do specs have to do with it? Do all amps with the same specs sound the same? Not in my experience. Exactly what specs for the NAD make you believe it will be a good match with the Cremona M?

As a generality, higher priced components often sound better than entry level products with high end speakers. Not always, but often. If you have different experience, please share.

It is all about how it sounds. My experience is that some of the equipment I listed above often sounds better than the entry level NAD equipment. If you have experience to the contrary fine.

I have experience matching electronics to my SF Concertino (original and home), Concerto (original), Grand Piano (home) and Cremona. My experience with them is there is a lot more than current ratings to making them sound their best. The Cremona M are a newer design, but from what I know, their still respond differently to different electronics.

The NAD will probably drive the Cremona M well. But, as I said before, if the OP wants to get the most out of them, I recommend he looks beyond the NAD, if and when possible.

If you think the NAD is a great match, or even the best match, for the Cremona M, lets hear your reasoning.

Lets not high jack this thread any more. It does the OP no good. We need to talk specifics about specific equipment.

Richards - glad the M2 works for you.

I believe the M2 uses Mosfets and the 390DD use a digital switching technology for amplification. It is a little hard to nail down the 390DD amplification technology from the NAD website. But they fact that they do not discuss the A and AB design of the M2 when discussing the 390DD amplification makes me believe the reports of it being a switching technology are true. If it really is a switching technology, then the 390DD is a trickle down in the digital/analog processing but not in the amplification.
I am sure the 390DD is a excellent piece, but I also know that many people are not convinced that switching technology amps sound as good as traditional designs.

I like NAD equipment and it probably would do a fine job with the Cremona M, at that price point. Against $10,000 electronics, which are commonly used with the Cremona M, I think there may be other options. Hence, my original comment. Actually listening is the only way to be sure.

So guys, I stand corrected. Both the M2 and the 390DD use Class D switching technology. The NAD M2 descriptions all contain a comment of combining Class A and AB noise levels with digital technology. The Class A/AB line refers only to the noise level, not to the technology used. My mistake. NAD has dropped that terminology from the 390DD descriptions. Those descriptions lead me astray.

The 390DD is indeed a trickle down from the M2, with less power and more digital inputs, like USB. My apologies.

From what I have read, the 390DD is a very worthy option at its price point. However, I am not yet ready to put it up against electronics at 4 or 5 times its price driving the Cremona M. But as Richards points out, it really depends on how each one sounds to you and how how its digital input structure fits with your existing digital/analog equipment. And, as always, how much you can afford to spend.

Good luck with your Cremona Ms.