NAD M23 Stereo Power Amp Review - Absolutely Tasteless Sound....and that's brilliant!

[@mrpmj00]

I want the clarity. I add richness via my Cardas Parsec RCA interconnect cables. I bought the C298 because 1) it's less $ 2) it has more features like adjustable knob gain, RCA loopout for 2 subwoofers, trigger output to my 2 subwoofers I upgraded from Parasound 2125v2 to NAD C298. Apple Music I've also own another Class D amp: Parasound Zonemaster 2 and it sounds great!

[@a3marketing991]

I have the M23 and love it. It's very powerful. I'm now considering adding the new M66 preamplifier.

[@SirMountainpass]

I am also looking at this combo - should be an amazing pairing...

[@JKadison]

I have both and I love the combination! I haven't had the chance to run Dirac yet but I am looking forward to that.

[@marcfoss7687]

Nice, well-narrated, thoughtful review...thanks.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thank you, that’s very kind 👍 😊

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

NAD, one of these brands that you can't go wrong with

[@sudd3660]

i had a few nad amps, still got them all and they work. always was pleased how they sounded.

[@davidcarr2216]

Not NAD amps are equal.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

@@davidcarr2216 indeed that situation would be deeply weird

[@Larstig81]

My first NAD was a C541 cd player. I shouldn't have to sold it, but the person who bought was extremely happy. 🙂

[@mikeiver]

Still have my NAD 3020, one of the very best bang for the buck amps out there still. I have to do a recap and put it back right now after near 38 years but it's a keeper for sure. Would love to have an M23 but the price is simply out of my comfort range and I lack the space and speakers to allow it to show off. Also have a 3155 and 3055 as well for more power and that easy to listen to NAD sound.

[@yardleylfc]

Great review. I agree amps should deliver exactly what's put in .

[@yardleylfc]

I'm currently running a Roksan Blak on mission 770s. I have a lovely warm sound. I would say the speakers have alot to do with this. Note that this is streaming sound from Linn Akurate streamer. Yet to set a turntable up that's worthy.

[@ianvajra2001]

I echo the appreciation of the M23, which I also have with the Dynaudio Heritage Specials. I use Topping front-ends for DAC and pre-amp (D90SE and A90D). Completely black background; amazing inner clarity and separation of parts and voices; effortless power; neutral across the frequency range; no sense that the speakers are ever out of the amp's control. The Dynaudios somehow make everything 'sweet' in their indefinable way, though not 'warm', or coloured. I often notice the head-scratching about amps sounding neutral, and not being liked for that reason - even in the area of high-end equipment. Something I think ought to be in the debate more, is that Classical music buffs often regard recordings as historical documents - they want to hear what it was like to be there - the tone of someone's instrumental playing or their voice qualities. They don't want anything 'added' getting in the way of that... Modern pop music is massively produced, and has no real sound - often the singer is recorded apart from the instrumentalists, for example, in both space and time (not something you would ever do with serious/classical music). I'm reminded of the Sennheiser HD800 headphones, and then their HD800S 'replacements'... The slight frequency peak aside (which can be managed with a simple mod), the former headphones are more neutral, and ideal for classical. The later HD800S's are a bit warmer and more colourful, and not as clean-sounding - a step backwards from the clarity and accuracy perspective. And yet, the HD800S's are regarded as an 'improvement'...

[@MrBoomtheroom]

when you say completely black background what do you mean? if you turn the volume up full with no input playing and your ear right up near the speaker ...you hear nothing?

[@eenph]

I bought the C298 after listening to your review and others. I plug my Hugo TT2 straight into it and so don't have a separate pre-amp stage. I love the clarity this brings. Don't think I can justify the extra investment for the M23 beautiful though it is.

[@biggles5633]

Definitely the best user/owner perspective review I've found, in particular with respect to the Luxman. Thank you very much. I have a beautiful but very old Luxman that I absolutely love and I can't really find anything that I prefer, regardless of price believe it or not. It only has RCA connections .... would it work as a preamp with the M23? I ask because I am seriously considering the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova IIIs but my old Luxman won't have the power to get the best out of these speakers. Thanks again from downunder.

[@Fa11enUniverse]

I've got NAD 375BEE and I like it so far. But, does It worth it upgrade if I want more power from my speaker (Canton Ergo RC-L), especially on lower vol?

[@MrM970]

I have these running JBL 4367s. Can't imagine anything better. Cary Rocket (class A valve) now collecting dust.

[@emrealtan3522]

What are the sound characteristic differences between Hypex Nilai, as for choosing one, to drive a livelier 96db efficient, dynamic speaker (Audio Nirvana 10” Alnico single to be exact) which one would you choose ? Nilai? Nad c298? Or M23?

[@SmallRoomAudio]

How about tubes? 😊 The M23 bests both of the other two, but I think the Nilai will be better still once a third party manufacturer works some magic on it!

[@emrealtan3522]

@@SmallRoomAudioI’ve tried tubes before, and feel they bring some magic for the cost of extra distortion, noise and heat for me. And once hearing a good engineered and implemented class d, I can never be back… I thought the same things, as you, when I heard Nad M23 paired with a PMC speaker but never had the chance to compare it to Nilai or Nad C298. (I think many audiophiles nowadays search for the same amps… there is almost none subjective review about Nilai yet) Unfortunately Nad M23 is out of my budget and I’m between Nad c298 and Nilai. So I read every review I can and get recommendations as possible. So thank you very much.

[@carlitosgomez71]

M23 and c298 use the same modules, similarly spec I would be surprised if you could differentiate between the two sound wise

[@richardvdbogaard]

Nice review. Great amp. I now have a Primaluna Dialoque Premium HP poweramp with minidsp flex with dirac live as pre-amp, and I like the sound. It sounds similar to the Primaluna integrated I had before. But I also would like more power to drive my Dali Epicons 2. The suggestion of a neutral powerfull class D poweramp combined with a Primaluna pre-amp sounds attractive. The minidsp with dirac can be in between these amps. I wonder if the Primaluna sound character would be similar to my currect set up, with added power.

[@IrenESorius]

When a Class-D amp is good, its REALLY good. Lend your ears to Buchardt,s i150, if u ever get the chance to. 😋 Cheers and thanks,, 🍻🍻😎👍‍‍👍‍‍

[@jamapaza]

Hello my friend! I own a I150 and had some other class D amps here and yes, the I150 sounds not like a Ncore or Eigentakt or ICE Power amp. Great bass! Smooth highs and lovely, warm mids.

[@nebulusnebulus6503]

Thanks! I have a Pylon Amber Mk2 loudspeakers 97 dB 4 ohms 2 way speakers with double 12” paired with a Yamaha A-S 3000 integrated amp and I wish It has more damping factor to move faster and more accurately those big drivers. I wonder if this Nad M23 with a Primaluna Evo 400 pre could brings me the best of both worlds

[@SmallRoomAudio]

I think that would be an awesome combo!

[@Roof_Pizza]

I've heard that damping factor is overblown and anything more than ~50-100 is unnecessary. McIntosh, for one, advertises as >40.

[@dajikbatarang1]

Would love to try this amp with my Maggies.

[@nekky_7r]

Great review! Given that you’ve done a few Class D amps so far, have you by chance come across the Elipson A2700 along the way? Class D with more power than M23 and musicality in spades to my ear, coming from Class A and A/B (Luxman and Michi) it is a total upgrade. Curious how it compares to the NAD (arguably the champ) and the DIY stuff, as well as the Starkrimson offerings. Thanks for the info!

[@alexg4284]

I want to get the a2700. 400 watts! Also I tried the NAD C298 and loved it

[@nekky_7r]

@@alexg4284 I am posting mine for sale on CAM shortly.

[@nicovince9972]

Great review, thanks ! Very informative. Still hesitating between c298 and its much more expensive sibling 🤔

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

BRO. LITERALLY ME

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

Honestly I prefer the c298’s incredibly generic styling because it fits my setup much better. The m23 would stand out like a blinged-up, chromed-out thumb

[@nicovince9972]

@@WeeWeeJumbo I totally agree Finally I prefer the sober, classic look of the c298 to the 'flashiness' of the M23. Technically, the difference between the two will probably be inaudible most of the time. I don't think the price difference is justified. I think the c298 represents an excellent bargain.

[@mrpmj00]

I bought the C298 because 1) it's less $ 2) it has more features like adjustable knob gain, RCA loopout for 2 subwoofers, trigger output to my 2 subwoofers Apple Music

[@carlitosgomez71]

C298 is a good choice but all that plastic facia and questionable reliability of modern NADs puts me off

[@TombstoneTube]

Great review, with cleat message.

[@9thstreetbrandt]

Have you caught wind of all the T778s that have been failing? It’s 3 years old and the amp modules have blown. I went online and saw in NAD groups that this is a well known and common problem. When I reach out to them, they told me I’m out of luck and that my $3000 paper weight is out of warranty!! WTH

[@logandemcak160]

How does this compare to Benchmark audio AHB2 ?

[@stephencosta6814]

From what I hear Nad is a much better unit the benchmark sounds very analytical to me, not the NAD extremely clean, clear, transparent, black background all around a better amplifier

[@HungryEatNow]

Yes Master

[@mrwilliamwonder]

These Druids sure have a handle on sound and music, from the Beatles and Stones to speakers and Amps. I've seen many reviews on many amps and this is the first one where I felt the reviewer was able to communicate in an effective way about the amp character.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

🙏 😃 👍

[@jearley22]

Great review, always enjoy your offerings! Do you have any interest in hearing the McIntosh MA8950 integrated? Also, love your collection on gear! Cheers

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Thank you very much 😃 I’d love to review some McIntosh gear, it’s just harder to get hold of for review

[@RacingAnt]

If you're looking for an amplifier to "add" something to your sound, then time to rethink the source / speakers. All amplifiers can add is distortion...

[@stevenkoski228]

HiFi is all about CLARIY🔊😎.

[@alexg4284]

Arcam pa240 next review?

[@SmallRoomAudio]

If they send me one, then absolutely!

[@paulpavlou9294]

March Audio P422-1 uses the same Purifi module with a different power supply but for half the price is better value and is almost a straight wire from you preamplifier or source. Food for thought.

[@WhatEver-dx3eu]

The same module doesn't make it sound the same, even NAD's own C298 uses the same modules but doesn't sound as good as this apparently. Better power supply, gain stage, lay-out, shielding, etc, all contribute or deter from the final quality. In short, you'll need to compare side-by-side before passing judgement.

[@dan-sc7fm]

I'm a little late to this party, but I am seriously considering the March audio amp. Been researching all amps this past month for one amp. Actually had the NAD c298 for a couple weeks until I had to return it because it was still defective ( it was a factory refurbished unit that apparently was not fixed, it would turn off randomly without any rhyme or reason). Other than being defective I thought the NAD sound was fantastic, and all the options on the back of unit. Not many reviews on the March Audio or Apollon amps, but I will give it a go since I was burned by the c298. At aprox. 1850 dollars for a purify amp is in my price range.

[@volpedo2000]

If you go for the top tier Apollon Audio amps they cost more than the NAD.

[@volpedo2000]

Having said that, brands like March and Apollon offer the newer 1ET7040SA Module, which according to Bruno Putzeys admits is even better sounding.

[@ceescosijn5656]

Anyone with experience this M23 in combination with the M33. Thanks in advance.

[@dougg1075]

I’m thumb up 101:)

[@richardsaila8073]

Too late, I just ordered a NuPrime Evolution STA power amp. These two class D amps were the last ones on my list.

[@EJK1965]

All audio components have 'colour', including power amps, that's get that clear.

[@Roof_Pizza]

As you say amps don't do much but having said that this one's missing some things that I would want in an amp. Dual binding posts, a passthrough and 2 ohm stable (4 ohm mono) would be on my list. £3399 you say? LOLZ.

[@kx8960]

Great, buy something else then. LOLZ

[@Roof_Pizza]

@@kx8960 it's class D so I did. lolz. 250x2 @2 ohms class A/B for ~ £300. Brand new with 3 year warranty, old stock. NAD warranty is 2 years. Possibly coulda bought another 10 of them at the same time for the cost of one of these. SWOOOOSH. LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

[@kx8960]

@@Roof_Pizza So, you bought cheap, high distortion garbage. Congrats!

[@Roof_Pizza]

@@kx8960 HARDLY. LOLOLOLZ. Famous American brand, toroidal, etc.

[@RacingAnt]

​@@Roof_Pizza250 watts at 2ohms, so 60 watts at 8 ohms then? A world away power wise compared to this NAD.

[@michaelchase1911]

It could use some more power .....

[@SmallRoomAudio]

I’m hearing the voice of Tim the Tool Time Taylor!!

[@jamapaza]

There is only one great Class D amp and that is the Buchardt I150. It sounds like a Class A or AB amp. I‘ve tested it against a lot of Class D amps.

[@RacingAnt]

So you've blind tested the Buchardt against the NAD?

[@jamapaza]

@@RacingAnt Well, not against the NAD but some others. Right now I‘ve got the HiFi Rose RA 180 at home and the I150 is much better. The RA 180 is more dynamic and at some songs the separation of the instruments is better but overall the I150 is the better amp. It is much smoother. The highs are not as sharp as at the RA 180 and the mids are just smooth. The bass is equal. Ohhh and the RA 180 is much more powerful. The I150 sounds really not like a Class D amp. It sounds like a real good Class AB amp. Don‘t ask me why but I think it is the preamp and the DAC. I‘ve heard some other NCore amps and the I150 sounds different.

[@drhone1982]

@@jamapazaso stop trolling then

[@jamapaza]

@@RacingAnt I‘ve tested ist against the M33 a month ago. The M33 sounds more dynamic and much brighter than the I150. It‘s a matter of taste but I liked the I150 more. I‘ve got a new Class D champ. The Devialet 220 Pro. It is amazing. I‘ve had the I150 for a long time and I‘ve testet it against a lot of amps but the Devialet is just amazing. At this time my journey is over. I wasn‘t really interested in the Devialet but I had a good offer so I bought one just for fun and I was blown away. It looks fancy and not like a great amp but it is a masterpiece of Hifi.

[@davidcarr2216]

Yeah, but does it do this, and sound like this and make Norah Jones sound like she''s sitting on your face ? Or perhaps it makes Mick Jagger sound like he's doing handstands betwen your speakers ?

[@SmallRoomAudio]

All of that, and more!

[@davidcarr2216]

@@SmallRoomAudio I'm definitely not buying it then 😁

[@abdulmokta6081]

This is garbage, not good for super fine micro details like pinpoint hidden instruments being played st back ground. Nor does it I can't hear saliva intake or the faintest hissing with my Sony Ta86 with pioneer m22 with 33.000uf 900va twin 600va transformer blows and farts on the nad4x capacitors than this cheap 10.000uf, at 3hz too 150.000khz is beyond staggering.