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