Should I steer clear of class D amps


I’m finally upgrading my amp. I currently have an Onkyo TXNR 636 which has served very well but it’s now the weakest component in my system.

I’ve a budget of up to £1200-£1300 and been looking at the NAD C3050.

I was initially drawn to the NAD C3050 when I saw the VU meters but these are not deal breakers if I can get a much better amp without them, but I really do like them. I spoke with a dealer and he mentioned all NAD amplifiers are now class D and that’s now where I’m stuck procrastinating my purchase. My understanding was class D never really took off, despite the power efficiency due to the HF noise caused by the PWM. Times change things improve but I can’t find much about how they have mitigated this, in fact an article in EETimes refers to how the tests performed for THD etc are quite irrelevant in a digital amp and quoted figures may be very different in real life. In essence, the way of testing makes them look better than they are. This may be true but do they sound good? We all know vinyl is technically an inferior medium but I certainly prefer it’s sound.

I am listening to classic/ heavy rock and a mixture of lossless streaming from a NAS into a Cambridge Audio CNX V2 and vinyl off a Technics 1500C with a Pro-Ject DS phono stage all into monitor audio bronze 5s. 
 

I need a new amp. I need slapping out of my indecision but it’s not an insignificant amount of £££ and I want to get it right. Should I stick with AB ? My electric bill can’t withstand class A or valve regardless of sound quality. 

Also what’s the thoughts on NAD in general, I’m my youth they were good amps, but then so were Pioneer. 
 

nosleeptilldownload

Showing 2 responses by nosleeptilldownload

Very true and I am looking back but this amp only hit the shelves a week or so ago, Cambridge audio recently introduced some tech called Hypex Ncore (the word hype isn’t lost on me) nothing more than sales pitch about that, nothing meaningful.

Im not being lazy, this is a new amp and despite asking NAD a bunch of questions via email I’ve had no response. 
Ears do trump all but due to personal circumstances I really want to limit having to return anything, I also am unable to go demo one.

I’ll look into the hybrid tech you mention, I didn’t know about that, thanks for the pointer, it’s not mentioned in the blurb for the C3050 though. 

Thank you all, some really good info, even products out of the price I’m willing to drop atm are valid as I can look at how they are implementing the technology, which is I think where it can fall down. 
@oldaudiophile I listen loud as often as I can get away with it, I do say if I don’t feel like I’m sitting in Hammersmith Odean pass the remote. Doesn’t help the tinnitus from playing lead guitar at unholy volumes though. The VU meters are just eye candy, I’ll drop them in a heartbeat if needed. I wanted the Yamaha AS1100, brilliant amp and a looker to boot but they replaced it and hiked the price. 
@jeffseight Thank you, shame but a bit of a hop from Dorset. I’ll look out for the feedback though, I’m never hurried in a purchase.

@mitch2 I grew up on technics class AA and couldn’t be shifted from their amps, until everything went digital, threw my lot in with CD and gave my albums to my sister and slowly fell out of love with music. It At the time I thought it was the equipment I could afford, everything went downhill sometime in the mid 90s, my current Onkyo while a compromise with the surround sound, is a very good powerful amps for the money, did have issues with the HDMI and mine now throws an error and turns off in the heat of the summer if I give it the beans, it’s a cooling issue. I probably spent 6-8 months listening to different amps in different listening rooms. I was disappointed to hear Onkyo went under and are now part of Pioneer. 
As others have mentioned, weight is a factor. I have a chronic illness that vocal leave me nailed to the sofa or in bed for days, I can’t lift and clean around this amp anymore, it’s not even a beast like some own. My wife refuses to touch any of my HiFi or guitars, I’m happy with that, even if i make inhuman noises shifting stuff.

Sevenoaks audio have agreed if I want to demo this NAD they will organise a courier to pick it up if I don’t like it, that’s customer service right there.

Apologies for the late reply, I live a complicated little life. 
 

thank you all again