Upgrade over Nad C326BEE -> Class A or D?

[EaZy]

Hello. I have a Nad C326BEE, recaped some time ago with Mundorf Caps that helped quite a lot in gaining some bass control, but I can feel class A/B has its limits in terms of THD etc.

I like the overall tonal balance of the Nad but I'd like to get better soundstage and thinking to drive the speakers using another power section.

I'm thinking about building a power amp either from Class A boards following JLH / Sugden A21 design, or using a Class D IcePower/nCore module (not to mention Tripath which seem attractive based on reviews but not on their measured specs).
Budget would be around 300€.

What would you favor?

 

[M00ndancer]

Get a Behringer A800, if you can't hear a difference send it back. The A800 it's the cheapest I know of I like the looks. (in my use case I would by it ONLY for looks.)
https://www.thomann.de/se/behringer_a800.htm

Don't forget to to listen to what others here on ASR have to say. Use your brain. We can only give you facts. The rest is up to you.

ps
Welcome to the best Audio forum on the planet, I hope you enjoy your stay!
ds

 

[EaZy]

Thanks but I find Behringer products terrible sonically and visually speaking.
No need for a 400W amp but I'm rather looking for good 25-50 Watts !

 

[M00ndancer]

Thanks but I find Behringer products terrible sonically and visually speaking.
No need for a 400W amp but I'm rather looking for good 25-50 Watts !

Doesn't matter. I will tell you later

 

[CDMC]

It looks like you are already there, your 326bee is rated at 50w channel continuous and 100/150/200 into 8/4/2 ohms for peaks with distortion below audible levels. It appears you are looking for imaginary changes, not an actual performance change, which is accomplished by increasing power in the event your amp is clipping (we don't know as we don't know what speakers you are using, the size of room, or your listening levels). There are many sites that cater to changing components around for imaginary changes in sound, this is not one of them.

 

[EaZy]

Well it's not a problem of clipping, it is a lack of definition of the soundstage at normal listening levels and I am missing this. It is not imaginary. I am sure that can be measurable in terms of channel separation for instance.
I assume there are designs in class A or D that could be more precise. But maybe as you state it, can this modest Nad challenge best amps in this regard ? I don't have any comparison frame hence my question.

 

[M00ndancer]

Well it's not a problem of clipping, it is a lack of definition of the soundstage at normal listening levels and I am missing this.

Compared too?

 

[andreasmaaan]

Well it's not a problem of clipping, it is a lack of definition of the soundstage at normal listening levels and I am missing this. It is not imaginary. I am sure that can be measurable in terms of channel separation for instance.
I assume there are designs in class A or D that could be more precise. But maybe as you state it, can this modest Nad challenge best amps in this regard ? I don't have any comparison frame hence my question.

Your current amp is excellent. Unless it's underpowered, changing it won't fix any problems you may be hearing (except by placebo effect, potentially).

If I were you I would look at setup, room treatment, and/or room correction. These will actually result in audible improvements.

 

[CDMC]

Well it's not a problem of clipping, it is a lack of definition of the soundstage at normal listening levels and I am missing this. It is not imaginary. I am sure that can be measurable in terms of channel separation for instance.

Sorry, but no, it is your imagination. Placebo is a strong effect and happens to everyone, myself included. Unless there is something wrong with your amplifier (i.e. the replacement capacitors were the wrong value), any difference you hear is in your head. People hear vast differences in amplifiers, DACs, cables, preamps, and sources, until they are level matched and switched blindly, then they all disappear. It sounds like you want to keep chasing the non-existent changes that keep the "high end" industry going. Again, there are plenty of sites that will gladly indulge you in spending money on changes that make no difference. This isn't one of them.

 

[anibal66]

I cannot give you any advice on DIY. I am sure someone will, and you will enjoy afterwards some time building and comparing the NAD to others.

My 2 cents: Whatever you build, I would also keep the NAD. I had a NAD T760, strictly for analog stereo use, and undervaluing and selling this old powehouse two years ago was my worst mistake to date in this hobby. During 18 years it had taken turns with Nuforce Reference separates in my main rig. Better imaging by the NuForce? Probably, but not more musical satisfaction. I also sold the Nuforces to finance new speakers, but it is the NAD the one that I miss. Maybe because of the "tonal balance" you also like. Maybe because of the new speakers, but that is another story.

 

[Sebastijanovski]

Your current amp is excellent. Unless it's underpowered, changing it won't fix any problems you may be hearing (except by placebo effect, potentially).

If I were you I would look at setup, room treatment, and/or room correction. These will actually result in audible improvements.

I second what andreasmaaan said. You won't be able to do better for 300 €. Next real step up in my book, at least objectively, are the Hypex/Purifi class D amps at around 1000 €. And even then you'll be wondering what if it's the pre stage...

If you have issues with imaging, some room treatment to absorb 1st reflections might do the trick.

Best,
Seb

 

[MusicNBeer]

I highly doubt any lack of soundstage and imaging has anything to do with the channel separation of the NAD, again unless it is broken. Vinyl specs at 20-30 dB separation, which is objectively terrible, and images fine and has a nice soundstage.

 

[Raindog123]

@EaZy I have a NAD C375BEE which is a bigger brother of your amp. In my opinion - having had a dozen of component and integrated amplifiers, tube and solid-state - my NAD is an exceptional amplifier, precise and powerful. This is my second NAD, and my previous older one being equally sonically good (that one also had caps replaced).
So, if you’re having issues with the [pronouncement of] soundstage, I would first look elsewhere - either at the quality of your DAC (including its power and clock) and room multipath (speaker placement and overall geometry/furnishing). Like many here stated, those would be much more pronounced effects than that of a rather decent PA...

 

[Wes]

what does the operating class of an amp have to do with better soundstage?

OTOH, there IS an entity dubbed crossover distortion present in class A/B - Benchmark licensed the solution to that and makes a very nice amp

 

[xiaojinglf]

Well it's not a problem of clipping, it is a lack of definition of the soundstage at normal listening levels and I am missing this. It is not imaginary. I am sure that can be measurable in terms of channel separation for instance.
I assume there are designs in class A or D that could be more precise. But maybe as you state it, can this modest Nad challenge best amps in this regard ? I don't have any comparison frame hence my question.

• Your feeling is correct, as I have also used this amplifier, and its sound field is not good, the separation is poor, and the sound lacks layers. I already gave it away.
• 
  
• But this problem is not because it is Class AB design

 

[Mean & Green]

• Your feeling is correct, as I have also used this amplifier, and its sound field is not good, the separation is poor, and the sound lacks layers. I already gave it away.
• 
  
• But this problem is not because it is Class AB design

I’m sorry but that is nonsense.

 

[analogonly]

The original class AB BEE NAD amps are hard to beat for the money.

How did this thread get resurrected?