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I have a friend who is looking to (retire), and to downsize and rationalize his audio system.
I say rationalize, because it's a lot easier to call up music from a streaming service like Qobuz, than to find a CD. On the other hand, he also has an LP collection that dates back to circa 1972, and he wants to be able to play an LP every now and then.
So, he asked my advice. Because I usually review components that are components, and not complete systems in one box, I went looking for benchmark reviews.
I found "Future Audiophile"'s coverage of Digital Streamers to be well organized, and very informative.
The other category I found to be very informative was their coverage of Amplifiers, mostly because "Future Audiophile" champions GaN (Gallium Nitride) amplifiers, and modular switching amplifiers based on Hypex or Purifi amp modules.
That said, the one unit that caught my eye, and I would appreciate any user comments on it, is NAD's Retro integrated amp, which has an optional card for BluOs and... Dirac Room Correction.
I'll have to look into whether it is set up for Qobuz, but right now it looks like a potential optimal choice.
Any helpful comments (or recommendations for competing products) will be very appreciated!
john
Follow Ups:
and why.
Always curious about what drove the final decision.
Supposedly, the amp section of the M10 V2 is better than the C700.
That said, the M10 V2 does not have an MM phono stage, so he will have to outboard that.
ciao,
john
Closed out pricing, but he still has to buy a phono stage. Hmmm, wonder if he'll really have saved much.
But it does look like the Front Runner is the NAD C 700 V2.
Honestly, I think that cost was an issue. If money were no object I'd be rooting for the M33 Masters series unit that is based on the Purifi Eigentakt board.
Also, I think that Wife Acceptance Factor/Form Factor was an issue.
If I were choosing for myself, I'd get the Retro one because I still prefer knobs and switches to video screens.
But also, at least for me, Dirac Room Correction is a must-have because of his loudspeakers being on a sideboard/credenza up against a wall.
john
I have not yet plumbed the depths about how the V2 differs from the Plain Old. But I know that the V2 does provide for Dirac Room Correction, so I am very excited about experimenting with that. The V2 is $1599 at B&H Photo.My friend's loudspeakers are on a credenza pushed nearly flush against a wall. And with the center of the woofers being 3.67 feet off the floor, the Allison Effect floor-bounce cancellation will be centered at about 76Hz, my guess an octave wider in both dimensions, and so the Dirac should help there too.
EDIT: Music Direct says that the V2 is "Roon Ready."
john
Edits: 11/19/24
It's a nice looking unit and might be the perfect all-in-one for some folks. I wish it were Roon Ready as my entire audio system from the main listening room to the far reaches of our home and beyond all revolve around the Roon ecosystem. If it can't "do Roon" it has no place in my audio room.I never spent much time at Future Audiophile. I'll have to take a closer look.
P.S. If he has the budget (a much bigger budget!) a competing product might be the NAD Master Series M33.
Edits: 11/18/24
where the Action is!
When I had my Kef 104.2s and a solid state mac amp and pre,
When the Power Guard flashed on, the sound was HUGE deep and powerful.
Sometimes at 2x rated power.
Slam and Drang!
When the Power Guard flashed on, the sound was HUGE deep and powerful. Sometimes at 2x rated power.
you enabled the compression circuit to restrict dynamics and flatten everything. Good job!
Thanks!
I seem to remember (but it might be an Engram emplanted by evil Thetans) that the M33 was based upon a Purifi switching amp PCB.
I actually built a kit based on Hypex's OEM switching amp. NC122MP? IIRC.
I was doing R&D for a famous company, so I got access to the Hypex OEM catalog. I thought that it was charming in terms of sound, and a dyed-in-the-wool Analog Guy did a comparative listen against my utilitarian Parasound Zamp2.
My analog friend concluded that the Hypex build (case and power supply from Ghent Audio) did not at all sound "digital." He went so far as to say that the Hypex made the Class A/B Parasound sound "digital."
Ouchsies!
So, if "The Word on the Street" is correct, the Purifi module must sound fabulous.
Which, combined with other recent developments in high-end audio, such as Metamodal Thin Ply Carbon cone and dome material, and Purifi's (my words not theirs) "Constant Profile Area" woofer surrounds, might tempt me into declaring that we are in the young years of yet another Golden Age of Audio.
Especially when Danville's new Outboard DSP products get the attention of the loudspeaker industry.
john
I was in the same quandary a few years ago. Went with the NAD C390DD due to the novel circuit and all in one package.
That NAD offers a few more features then the C390 (looks a little better too).
Might want to consider the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 streaming amp also. Room correction is different but offered with a packaged mic.
I am told that the upgrade to BlueOS and Dirac does include a microphone.
john
John,
Thanks for your endorsement of Future Audiophile and our mission to review more affordable gear along with some world class equipment as well.
I'm sure all our contributors appreciate your kind words.
Best,
Paul Wilson
Future Audiophile
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