2. amps-preamps
  3. 165827-20253

My NAD 3020 D proves your Class D tropes are wrong

I have a desktop integrated, the NAD 3020D which I use with custom near field monitors. It is being fed by Roon via a Squeezebox Touch and coaxial digital.

It is 5 years old and it sounds great. None of the standard myths of bad Class D sound exist here. It may lack the tube like liquid midrange of my Luxman, or the warmth of my prior Parasound but no one in this forum could hear it and go "aha, Class D!!" by itself, except maybe by the absolute lack of noise even when 3’ away from the speakers.

I’m not going to argue that this is the greatest amp ever, or that it is even a standout desktop integrated. All I am saying is that the stories about how bad Class D is compared to linear amps have been outdated for ages.

Great to see new development with GaN based Class D amps, great to see Technics using DSP feed-forward designs to overcome minor limitations in impedance matching and Atmasphere’s work on reducing measurable distortion as well but OMG stop with the "Class D was awful until just now" threads as it ignores about 30 years of steady research and innovation.
erik_squires
desferous
29 posts
 
I have listened to a NAD M10 for over a year now and want to try to "improve" my system.  I tried the PASS INT-25.  Loved the huge sound stage, but felt like I was listening with earplugs in.  

I am a little worried that class D is what I am used to, and enjoy very much, but how do I get a larger sound stage? 

NAD M33? 


erik_squires OP
16,052 posts
 
I am a little worried that class D is what I am used to, and enjoy very much, but how do I get a larger sound stage?


Make sure to consider your room first. :) Your amp and speakers can’t overcome that.

However, you should listen to the M33 as well as some linear options, like Luxman or Ayre as well.
curlyhifi
157 posts
 
Audio Research LS 27, Audio Research DS450 and Wilson Sophia.
Sounds absolutely incredible.
Thanks to all the bad press about class D, I was able to purchase the DS450 from another Audiophile that is chasing the dream. That system is never leaving my house.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I use Genelec monitors with class d amps,  I don't know of a more
"revealing "  speaker. Not many here would like that setup not enough distortion but if you want to hear what's on the media,  good or bad, it won't lie to you. 
altx
7 posts
 
Erik, if this is too much of a rabbit trail, please disregard. If you (or anyone else) are aware, how does the NAD SQ/design compare to Naim? I have an Uniti Atom on my desk, but considered the NAD.
More to discover