NAD M28 vs McIntosh vs Trinnov 🥊🥊 Can It Hang With The Big Boys?

[@joraspa]

Shane! Awesome review! As someone who has the NAD M28..I can confirm this amplifier is amazing! Powering my 7 base layer speakers. Great build quality and sound stage. I won't go back. I'll be sticking with NAD M series.

[@junior-OG]

What amp you got for atmos?

[@pulDag]

And where you won't go back to? :>

[@joraspa]

@@junior-OG Running a Nuprime MCX 4. Was hesitant a first as there isn't much info on the company but it seems to be doing a great job with the height channels. 300w per channel(one channel power ratings). Powering 4 Soundstage Blueprint 8".

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

I like your work sooo much I actually watched your home theater video all the way through! This is a compliment. You do an awesome job on all your videos- especially on home theater products, which I imagine requires a lot of attention to detail

[@therealshanelee]

🍻

[@darrenreed883]

I have owned my nad m28 for over a year and absolutely love it.

[@therealshanelee]

Congrats 🍻 Great choice.

[@gmartin0312]

What speakers are you running with it? Just 7? I’m curious what others run with this amp when you have more than. 7 channels to power i.e. 9

[@darrenreed883]

I have run a full klipsch system a Goldenear system and no kegacy audio

[@cbalano]

I only have a 5.1 setup: NAD M17v2i, M28, and PSB Imagine X speakers, with a double center PSB Imagine XC, so I am driving 6 channels on the M28. I am thrilled with the system because I do not know much about high-end audio, but NAD makes it sound like I do (pun intended). If I were to go to town with a full Atmos setup, my first choice would be a second M28 to power the extra channels. It is compact and so well sounding.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

NAD makes some serious gear. I can't imagine you not being pleased

[@rynev3392]

My experience with the M28 before and after hooked up to my NAD T778. What I noticed was I could turn the volume up to -10 without hearing any harshness or fatigue from the treble and the dynamic bass scenes in a movie (mainly between 100-200hz) was impactful. Overall having an external power amplifier has it’s benefits but I don’t feel like it necessary for a top of the line amplifier unless it’s got the matching top of the line gear sending the signal and source material like blu ray or better

[@bhavishyachandra]

I am debating if I should add an external amp to my 778. Is there a difference to make it worth it?

[@MrCalvination]

I too am wondering if the m28 is worth adding my t778. I tried monolith 7x200 and it was OK. The 7x200 had the same sound stage but depth went away.

[@rynev3392]

@@bhavishyachandra just seeing this now, I think an external amplifier like a monolith 7x is good for the price, not really the NAD unless you’re running a high end processor to maybe hear a difference

[@rynev3392]

@@MrCalvination I ended up getting a monolith 7x about 5 months ago and it’s okay. My honest opinion is that the NAD t 778 is just the weaker link in my Setup. I recently tested out my brother’s maranz 8805A processor and I could hear more channel separation and detail in each speaker. Just an ever all cleaner sound. That was just a basic manual setup without audassy. So the better sound will shine with better processing. Currently I’m testing his new Sony 7000 series receiver, also hooked up to the monolith 7x and it sounds pretty good, its more dynamic and has better object placement throughout the room than the NAD, but I would say it’s as clean sounding as the 8805A

[@holger_ger3391]

Please check out the Primare 35.8. I think sound wise it can compete with the big three!? ...with a little less power.

[@jamesmuto2955]

Wow awesome detailed and educational review, thank you so much for your keen insight and experience. Extremely helpful to me

[@Novilicious]

I have the A31 Parasound. This M28 is my next upgrade.

[@therealshanelee]

💪

[@mrpmj00]

lol, I did something similar. I upgraded from Parasound 2125v2 to NAD C298. My video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJTadKKmo619p6M Apple Music

[@veeracs]

Being a NAD M28 owner, I wonder if NAD will ever make a 4 channel or 5 channel amplifier so I could upgrade to 11 channels 🤞

[@therealshanelee]

You could always get another M28 and upgrade to 14 channels.

[@veeracs]

One or three channels will not be used though depending on 11 or 13 channels used.

[@lukedudgeon8699]

@@veeracs would be nice if the made the channels bridgeable or bi-amp capable so the extra channels could have more use.

[@Wozzaatwozza]

I had the M28 amp, just sold it because my NAD 100w amp played bass on my Polk L800 way better then the M28. Did sone research and found out the M28 only has 25a of current if running a Purifi 400 module at full capacity on a large power supply. But the Purify 7040 module runs at 40a and a wall socket can only support 3x 4ohm 500w = 1500w at all channels driven for ATMOS. And considering the new version of Dirac will drive speakers harder then today. So I’d say the M28 is good for bookshelves but for medium and large speakers it doesn’t have the drive. You couldn’t drive the B&W 8001D4 with the M28, the current isn’t there. I hope NAD come out with a M24 two and three channel amp with the Purify 7040 module. But the M28 is awesome for smaller driver speakers or speakers with separate subs per channel such as REL.

[@gmartin0312]

What about the 803d3 and HTM2D3

[@Wozzaatwozza]

@@gmartin0312 I would definitely would not use the M28 because of the 400 module. I’d go to a Purify 7040 or Hypex NC1200.

[@gmartin0312]

@@Wozzaatwozza what about Hypex NC500?

[@Wozzaatwozza]

@@gmartin0312 I had a NAD M10 V2 connected to my Polk Legend L800s, each have dual 10” woofers. I did a test of the M10 against NAD777v3 which is A/B, the M10 v2 which is NC500 and Emotiva XP7 v3. The M10 lacked balls is the only way to describe it emotionally. Whilst the M10 sounded fantastic in the top end, better than the 777v3 and different then the Emotiva. There just isn’t enough current in most of these class D amps to drive big speakers. Now if I had RELs and bookshelves then that’s fine, but that’s adding another two sub amps. I believe the sooner Class D hangs up the

[@mrpmj00]

I bought the NAD (previous amps I love are Parasound and Arcam). McIntosh is too heavy.

[@Wozzaatwozza]

Hi Shane, It’s my understanding that a fully balanced design also known as balanced differential amp has nothing to do with balanced inputs but the amplifier electronic architecture for the amp output. I’m not an audio engineer so not a subject matter expert. Check out PS Audios Q&A on fully balanced amplifier

[@Wozzaatwozza]

The output of a fully balanced am on the negative terminal is a negative charge, not a ground. I believe a fully balanced amp is a push / pull technology.

[@victorjohnson8374]

This might be a stupid question. But when you’re speaking about the frequency responses between your amps. Wouldn’t that lend to more of the processor. Then the amp. Again. May be a stupid question. I’m still running an AVR. So that’s my only reference point.

[@therealshanelee]

If the only thing being swapped out are the amps it's the only thing that would affect the sound. Level matching is important too.

[@jebo4jc]

Nice product. NAD needs an updated preamp!

[@therealshanelee]

True.

[@Wozzaatwozza]

I agree. The M17 needs a refresh to be a 9.4.6 with 4 discreet subs to correct room standing waves, 6 height speakers, and needs to not just run PCM but natively process DSD. Today NAD doesn’t do anything with 6 heights. Plus they need a 6 channel height amp and a 4 channel height amp for those using 4 heights.

[@DTA_Crypto]

Nice you took my advice great job!! would had love to see how this amp worked with those Kanat,s no 1. Would also love to see you doa comparison with a lower price Purifi like Buckeyeamps!!!!

[@TheWrathofnumenor]

Shane, I’d be really curious to hear your thoughts on the ATI brands (both their AB designs and Class D hypex module amps).

[@therealshanelee]

I wouldn't mind checking them out too.

[@DECELETE]

What do you think about the matching v2i preamp over the avm 70 anthem

[@platinumyaadmusic6410]

Omg I've been asking my self the same question.. I think the v2 should be better as it has 12 mono dacs.. that said the dac are getting old now and are not 32bit..the only real issue with the v2i is that it subwoofer outputs are independent

[@ronalcasid3844]

What happened to your Arendals?

[@jctai100]

I often think with different gear such A/V separates, one has to evaluate the whole stack so including the pre/pro m17 v2i because they've obviously tuned all the components together for synergy

[@jccat-uv8zb]

In 2 channel mode how does the M28 compare to the M27?

[@danil34]

Love your Cartier Santos. Can you make video about your watch collection? I know you’re a watch enthusiast.

[@therealshanelee]

People have a hard time watching these amplifier reviews because of the price. They'd flip if I started doing watches. I do post watches on Instagram if you aren't already following there.

[@we8463]

Life is good, watch collector?

[@gmartin0312]

Shane, do you happen to know what the gain is on the NAD? I can’t find it anywhere, I do see they show the m23’s gain which is at 19dB

[@junior-OG]

29db

[@rosscuzick7759]

I’d like to see a buckeye 8 channel purifi review

[@Wozzaatwozza]

It can’t be done. Buckeye knows that current matters and there is not enough current in digital 7 channel amps to power large speakers unless the power input was a 30amp plug.

[@junior-OG]

@@Wozzaatwozza is the nad m28 got enough current ?

[@Wozzaatwozza]

@@junior-OG not for large speakers unless you bi-amp using 4 channels for 2 speakers

[@junior-OG]

@@Wozzaatwozza is kef r11 meta or paradigm founder 100f or wharfedale elysian 4 large speakers ?

[@albertdenton]

So weird still about the Mcintosh amps being noisy, Nad Masters was my next choice if Mcintosh didn’t work out. From what your saying Nad Masters is warmer than Trinnov. Have a soft spot for Nad

[@therealshanelee]

Both great choices. The noise is very miniscule on both.

[@ccnp2009]

Mr. Lee is the NAD M28 suitable to power Arendals compare to Parasound Halo A 51

[@therealshanelee]

Absolutely

[@ccnp2009]

It’s more cost effective to purchase the NAD M28 Amp since their are 2 more channels. I’m saving my spare change

[@Wozzaatwozza]

@@ccnp2009 - check you speaker current requirements. The M28 puts out low current, in the low 25A vs some Parasound amps putting out 50amps. That’s twice as much current which is need for floor standing speakers. The M28 uses the Purifi 400 chip. Check out the Purifi 7040 chip which puts out 40a. Here’s the 7040 specs: Output Power: 950W (2Ω), 500W (4Ω), 250 (8WΩ) Output Current: ~ 40A THD + N:

[@ccnp2009]

Thank You @@Wozzaatwozza

[@Phalanx1922]

Any news on the Mk x15+ review?

[@Herofmine]

How is it comparing to Parasound?

[@therealshanelee]

Favorably

[@Wozzaatwozza]

Check your current requirements. Parasound has high current and the M28 only has 25Amps vs some Parasound amps with 50A. My M28 couldn’t drive my Polk L800 speakers well so I sold it two weeks ago after 18months to buy a Purify 7040 modules amp with 40A of current

[@Herofmine]

@@Wozzaatwozza yea depends how hungry your speakers are, mine are Svs Ultra towers, I think it should be good enough

[@Wozzaatwozza]

@@Herofmine as Jung says “There’s a difference between believing and knowing”. When I purchased the M28 I believed but didn’t know. 18 months later by accident I discovered by using my old amp at only 100w and more current, investigated, that I then had my “knowing”.

[@Novilicious]

@@Wozzaatwozza thank you so much! Wondering if the two channel version of NAD has more current ?

[@eddietours3728]

D-Sonic review

[@TheLkdude]

Nice review Shane, The Trinnov amplitude is on previous gen Hypex nCore! , the Purify Eigentakt is the cutting edge of class-D, can't believe there is a noise floor on these modules, it is the most silent class-D design as per my understanding, NAD uses transformers may be you should try Buckeye Purify range of amps! , you are clearly dealing with some form of implementation issues, Hypex nCore THD 0.004% vs Purifi Eigentakt THD < 0.00017% , next to impossible , may be you had the NAD on bad power socket ! 🙂

[@therealshanelee]

The noise floor is nearly imperceptible. You won't hear it at your seating, unless you're a bat.

[@junior-OG]

@@therealshanelee "unless you're a bat" 😂

[@mrpmj00]

Buckeye amp is a NO GO for me because their amps only come with XLR output and if you need RCA then they endorse XLR-->RCA adapers/cables.... but that causes impedence issues which cause noise. XLR is 4v and RCA is 2v. ----- Instead of Buckeye, I bought the NAD C298 amplifier (>800 damping factor, and similar to the NAD M23) sounds even better than my already great Parasound 2125V2 (150 damping factor) with Apple Music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJTadKKmo619p6M

[@aliciaANDanthonySandoval]

Nice

[@we8463]

Your home theater is at least $50,000 just in equipment alone! Of course I am sure it helps you get dealer’s cost!