My big beefy 50Lb Roksan power amp died (120W a channel, about 9k new with its preamp). I had bought it second hand, and did not have car type money for a replacement. I was keen not to downgrade myself. I plucked up the courage and went class D. I mean it might work, maybe - this from someone who hated the early CD players.
So I bought a 2K NAD C298. Well, I bought 2, for no good reason other than they seemed a bit small and weedy compared with what I had lost. I have come to love the big slam one can get from a powerful amp.
Then life throws me a curve. Only one NAD turns up. I tried it anyway, not expecting much. Its gain (with pot bypassed) was the same as the Roksan.
Well, long story short, I was impressed. There was no loss of slam or low bass. The music sounded as fun as before. But there was a lovely delicacy about the top end. Things sounded very "clean", sort of brand new. Even my technophobe other half noticed and started waffling on unprompted about lots of spaces between the instruments. I was pleased, and decided that the second unit, when it turned up, was going to be returned. So definitely a cost efficient purchase.
Well, of course when NAD number 2 turned up I had to try it. I mean, you would, wouldn't you? I was sort of expecting to either hear nothing, or maybe hear more bass (the power output per channel goes waaay up when you bridge them, even though the gain stays the same).
Well, there was no more bass, and I could really hear a difference. Stereo improved (no idea why), the treble got sweeter (and it was nice before) but the big difference was that everything just got more exciting. I think with 2 I was playing louder, as there was none, or much less, of that shouty, fatiguing sound that makes me turn the volume down. Jeez it would dance.
I kept the second unit.
My speakers do dip down to 4 ohms, but the amps have never hit protection.
So I bought a 2K NAD C298. Well, I bought 2, for no good reason other than they seemed a bit small and weedy compared with what I had lost. I have come to love the big slam one can get from a powerful amp.
Then life throws me a curve. Only one NAD turns up. I tried it anyway, not expecting much. Its gain (with pot bypassed) was the same as the Roksan.
Well, long story short, I was impressed. There was no loss of slam or low bass. The music sounded as fun as before. But there was a lovely delicacy about the top end. Things sounded very "clean", sort of brand new. Even my technophobe other half noticed and started waffling on unprompted about lots of spaces between the instruments. I was pleased, and decided that the second unit, when it turned up, was going to be returned. So definitely a cost efficient purchase.
Well, of course when NAD number 2 turned up I had to try it. I mean, you would, wouldn't you? I was sort of expecting to either hear nothing, or maybe hear more bass (the power output per channel goes waaay up when you bridge them, even though the gain stays the same).
Well, there was no more bass, and I could really hear a difference. Stereo improved (no idea why), the treble got sweeter (and it was nice before) but the big difference was that everything just got more exciting. I think with 2 I was playing louder, as there was none, or much less, of that shouty, fatiguing sound that makes me turn the volume down. Jeez it would dance.
I kept the second unit.
My speakers do dip down to 4 ohms, but the amps have never hit protection.