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 All I am saying is that the stories about how bad Class D is compared to linear amps have been outdated for ages.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
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
Yeah some take just 15-30 minutes.

Cambridge Audio just released the super integrated (includes built-in streamer/dac - ESS 9016km2 or 9018km2, StreamMagic platform) EVO super integrated amps for $2250 and $3000 depending on configuration. Use Hypex nCore class D amp modules.

Will compete against the NAD M10 nCore superint that goes for $2750 and class AB Naim Uniti Atom for $3300.

I wonder if these Cambridge are competitively priced? Maybe a bit high? TBD I guess
jwl244
64 posts
 
@kren I didn't know about this product. My experience with CA is that their amps are a little too forward for my liking. I found them powerful but fatiguing. Interesting they are going to class D. I can't imagine they will do as good a job as NAD and can't see this unseating the naim although it is competitively priced. It remains to be seen but based on what I know about those 3 companies CA may have to lower the price point. 
erik_squires OP
16,052 posts
 
hi @atmasphere

You are totally right in calling me out here:

@erik_squires I missed this earlier. This is not true of all class D amps.

I meant to say, I’ve heard it from several ICEPower amp owners as well as my own experience that these amps get cold for days after being turned off. THey are fine being switched on/off daily for HT use but for 2 channel use and stereo the can be glaring until warmed.

I find myself less willing to type with the same precision and care that I used to.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
I find myself less willing to type with the same precision and care that I used to.
I get accused of being overly specific more than I used to...

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
The NAIM Atom is one heck off a LiL Mulekicker, sounds better warm...

I agree, some topology and combinations of components just need warm up... The Ayre VX-r a great case in point,, Ontrak semiconductor version took days...leave it on ! The twenty w Diamond circuit was golden after a few minutes....twenty.

D shows promise,IF people have an open mind....ears, perhaps both


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