2. amps-preamps
  3. 161772-20253

The NAD M33 will cancel your complaints about Class D

There are many reasons to like one type of sound over another. Even among what are considered very good amplifiers there’s a broad range of tastes and preferences among audiophiles. Just ask a SET aficionado!

However, no class is more maligned, inappropriately, than Class D. To hear some regulars tell it, Class D sound will thin your blood, make your teeth fall out and ruin your enjoyment of just about everything because it sounds so (fill in a lot of tropes from the 1980’s here).

I’ve been listening to NAD’s prior collaboration with Bruno Putzy and I can tell with some confidence that none of those tired old tropes apply. For reasons related much more to tonal balance than anything else, I’m sticking with Class A/B in my main system, but with the introduction of the next gen Anthem AVR receivers and the NAD M33 I may be making the switch back to class D.

You don’t have to like the M33 or the Anthem’s but can we at least agree that it’s time to retire the old guard of reasons not to buy Class D? Lets lay those poor phantoms to rest.
erik_squires

Showing 5 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires OP
15,959 posts
 
The reason it’s a mediocre implementation would be obvious if you (or really anybody here) had bothered to read detailed measurements of other PuriFi implementations, which routinely reach -120db SINAD.


That's why it's nice to put supporting evidence or points in your post at the time you throw shade. It's far to easy to misinterpret any particular reason why you felt this was mediocre, or to be unable to seek out possible disagreements in the interpretation.

The actual specifications  are:

  • Signal-to-Noise ratio
  • >98 dB (A-weighted, ref. 1 W out in 8 ohms)
    >120 dB (A-weighted, ref. 200 W out in 8 ohms)

    • So, you are incorrect, by 6 dB ( a lot) at 1 watt and please be sure you are measuring apples to apples and using the correct power spec for the S/N.  If not specified, assume it's at full power.

    I strongly suspect your 120 dB comparison was at full power.  Let me know if you find a reference to data that shows my interpretations are mistaken.



    Best,

    Erik
    erik_squires OP
    15,959 posts
     
    OP acts like it’s some miracle that NAD has created a good Class D product


    It would be really hard to come to this conclusion if you knew anything about the history of my many pro Class D threads, or just my opening statement.

    I don't think it's a miracle, I think it's a broadly well reviewed product that doesn't have the failings Class D is still accused of after all these years.

    really they’ve just licensed a Bruno Putzey PuriFi topology and done a mediocre job implementing it.


    Oh, now there's a man with an axe to grind. Please explain why this is a mediocre example of  BP Class D amplifier? Who in your mind has done better?

    Please remember, I'm not saying the M33 is a great amplifier, just that it shows us that typical anti-Class D prejudice (pre-judging) no longer hold true.
    erik_squires OP
    15,959 posts
     
    Honestly the proof is in the listening. I’ve not heard these integrateds, and I have been burned more than once by reading a series of glowing reviews for a product only to be completely let down after listening in person, but based on my listening of the prior, small integrateds I think they are worth it.

    Here's what I am convinced of:  They don't sound like 1980s digital amps.  As we've seen, above, lots of people don't want to hear anything but their flavor of tube, and I can assure you Class D does not sound like them either. :)


    Best,

    Erik
    erik_squires OP
    15,959 posts
     
    The mini, book sized integrateds are also very nice for desktop or bedroom use. Look at the 3020D for instance. It would be very interesting to know if those hybrid Class D modules were brought over.

    The issue I've had with modern NAD was not the amps, but the DAC's, which while not top tier per se, have greatly improved since the Masters series first came out.
    erik_squires OP
    15,959 posts
     
    I also find the NAD Class D I have a little lean, however, as I said, this is a tonal issue.  I find the ICEpower the opposite.

    I have _exactly_ the same problem with A and A/B amps today.

    I'm not saying you should not criticize Class D amps, but rather, criticize them for how they behave today, in the 21st century, not how they did in the 1980s.

    Best,

    Erik
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