NAD M23 Stereo Amplifier Review

[mike70]

Many subscribers of Stereophile here

They need to read some fixed threads about amps, measurements, mind effects in sighted listening, etc. and then take their conclusions ... or run away for the subjective publications / forums, where audio depends on your wallet, because only a 8mm aluminum case is capable of better sound, unicorn sweat in cables, golden contacts, ...

 

[Hear Here]

It's not cheap, and certainly not cheaply made. The purify design has been optimised primarily for sound quality over cost.

Read my words. I said "cheaper" not "cheap"

Some of this may or may not be true. But don't assume that because an amp is more expensive you are getting better components. Mostly what you are paying for in this case is branding.

Believe what you like, but improvements in any and all parts of audio gear will all contribute towards a higher quality unit.

I doubt they have done anything at all to improve the sound quality. At most they might have made changes to adapt the mechanical design to suit their housing, or possibly integrated buffer stages to suit their input stage, or similar types of mod.

Why should they bother to build the board under license if not to add quality? Just look at the rated outputs of the 2 NAD amps I illustrated. NAD has developed the M23 board to deliver a higher output - amongst other things.

As I said before, not all Purifi amps are equal, even though all are likely to be good.

 

[ahofer]

even though all are likely to be good.

...and sound the same, barring some engineering mistake or unusual power draw situation (Apogee Duettas, etc.).

 

[Julf]

Many subscribers of Stereophile here

They need to read some fixed threads about amps, measurements, mind effects in sighted listening, etc. and then take their conclusions ... or run away for the subjective publications / forums, where audio depends on your wallet, because only a 8mm aluminum case is capable of better sound, unicorn sweat in cables, golden contacts, ...

This!

 

[antcollinet]

Why should they bother to build the board under license if not to add quality?

Because:

1 - there is pretty much no additional sound quality to be found. The Purify amps are already audibly transparent.
2 - Bruno's team are at the absolute pinnacle of this technology: They have been developing it for years. It is very unlikely that Nad has the technical capability to improve on it - or else why use it at all? If they could do better, they wouldn't have to buy it in.

 

[pogo]

Why should they bother to build the board under license if not to add quality?

The 'in-house production' of the modules gives them a certain degree of flexibility with regards to matching with their custom designed input stage.
Additionally, they channel-match the left and right modules to be as close as possible. This helps reduce distortion in bridge mode also.

 

[mike70]

Because:

1 - there is pretty much no additional sound quality to be found. The Purify amps are already audibly transparent.
2 - Bruno's team are at the absolute pinnacle of this technology: They have been developing it for years. It is very unlikely that Nad has the technical capability to improve on it - or else why use it at all? If they could do better, they wouldn't have to buy it in.

we all know that is a rebranding ... at least, the Nad "packaging" didn´t make it worse than the original.
maybe you want the Nad logo in your living room, maybe a better support, maybe a better warranty, maybe ... whatever ... in the final result (the REAL result), the Nad implementation isn´t better and have 2x price tag.

Everyone have their decision, but never based on "Nad packaging is better", we have the measurements

 

[ahofer]

I think NAD needs to claim they made it better for the purposes of marking it up and superficially distinguishing it from, say, a Buckeye.

High end companies like to pose as the true innovators.

 

[mike70]

I think NAD needs to claim they made it better for the purposes of marking it up and superficially distinguishing it from, say, a Buckeye.

High end companies like to pose as the true innovators.

how to forget the Lexicon BD-30 fiasco? a Oppo player dressed with thick aluminum and all the jewelry for 3k :-(

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/lexicon-bd-30-blu-ray-oppo-clone

Nad add the linear power supply, something that Bruno itself said is worthless in the Purify modules, and some "jewelry" to not be seen as Lexicon.

 

[MacCali]

By "demonstrations" I assume you mean sighted listening without matching levels, on varying speakers, in varying listening rooms?

Yea definitely, but it’s not for comparison. Just simply listening, experience what’s out there. I’m not here to compare. I’m just at my 5th year in audio and I like to see what’s out there.

I’m fairly fanatic, I have 3 stereo setups at home and two multi channel setups. At one point and still technically way to much, had 15 pairs of speakers just for stereo. And something to the tune of 40+ speakers when considering my multi channel.

And when I say tested I mean just like Amir’s reviews, using an analyzer

 

[Julf]

Yea definitely, but it’s not for comparison. Just simply listening, experience what’s out there. I’m not here to compare. I’m just at my 5th year in audio and I like to see what’s out there.

But what you experience is the speakers, listening room, your mood - pretty much everything except the amp.

 

[xaxxon]

And it probably and hopefully will have much longer and better parts support and service, plus it won't have a newer and "better" successor every half year making it losing its re-sale value drastically.

don't buy gear based on resale. But gear you like.

 

[xaxxon]

It's not cheap, and certainly not cheaply made. The purify design has been optimised primarily for sound quality over cost.



I doubt they have done anything at all to improve the sound quality. At most they might have made changes to adapt the mechanical design to suit their housing, or possibly integrated buffer stages to suit their input stage, or similar types of mod.



Some of this may or may not be true. But don't assume that because an amp is more expensive you are getting better components. Mostly what you are paying for in this case is branding.

Or at least designed to measure well. I wouldn't make assumptions about "sound quality"

 

[thewas]

don't buy gear based on resale. But gear you like.

I like equipment that lasts long and companies that have good service and support so no contradiction there.

 

[Leeken]

how to forget the Lexicon BD-30 fiasco? a Oppo player dressed with thick aluminum and all the jewelry for 3k :-(

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/lexicon-bd-30-blu-ray-oppo-clone

Nad add the linear power supply, something that Bruno itself said is worthless in the Purify modules, and some "jewelry" to not be seen as Lexicon.

Maybe you could you link the esteemed members to pictures of the linear power supply Nad fitted?

Oh no you can’t,because they didn’t,this is a forum for facts not subjective imagination

They built they’re own smps,and they match the modules for bridging so there’s no magic smoke,simples.

 

[antcollinet]

Or at least designed to measure well. I wouldn't make assumptions about "sound quality"

I was making no assumptions.

 

[Bob101]

Or at least designed to measure well. I wouldn't make assumptions about "sound quality"

In Putzeys own words: Purifi Eigentakt modules were designed with maximum efficiency and flexibility as the primary objectives. A true fool-proof, powerful, affordable 'universal' power amp module for domestic use. The objectively excellent measured performanc (your thoughts on what that says about sound 'quality' may vary) somehow came with it... This is of course a somewhat simplified statement for the general public.