NAD C298

[kukynas]

That sucks, hopefully your new unit will be fully updated with no issues

[Pigpen]

The serial numbers up to H20YC29801630 were impacted - outside of that, all came with REV 1.08 software. Mine was 1445 therefore in the 1.07 software range.

[kukynas]

Good to know also for others

[kukynas]

so after having this amp for about a month finally I had enough time to test it properly with nobody in da house so could crank it up and check if it runs as expected and yeeeees it does not .....

I've experience the same phenomenon with Nord's NC500 amp previously (except for slightly different reasons) and that's fatigue sound after certain period, it's not audible distortion or noise but inaudible ultrasonic's or something, I have no idea why and how but this is the only logical explanation, this could be the only culprit I can think of causing painful listening and I didn't even listened to crazy levels (82db at my listening position ~3.5m from speakers) when my ears started to whistle

Don't know what I'm gonna do yet but can't listening to it at the mo

 

[Pigpen]

I am awaiting the delivery of 2 March Audio Purifi based mono blocks - hopefully arrive this coming week.
 

When looking at the specs for the amps, I noted that the March Audio units while based on the Purifi module that NAD use, have a higher output into both 4 and 8 ohms than the NAD C298.

 

Eagerly awaiting the March Audio units from Albany Western Australia, will provide feedback once I have listened to them at length.

[kukynas]

 if I remember well I didn't pay for Morse code transmitter, did I ? ~300mV with nothing connected to it !!!, yes at 515khz which is its switching freq but c-mon 300mV idle???

 

 

below comparison from ASR site between Purifi module and old hypex NC400 when AES-17 40khz cut off filter is applied (second graph), that's huge amount of energy no matter in which frequency...

 

 

 

most of the speakers won't care apparently but for some reason mine don't like it, again I can't think of anything else what could cause the fatigue sound  

just in case I also checked my preamp/dac if there's anything potentially broken and other than some harmonics at 45khz down at -105db there's nothing obvious, can't measure beyond ~100khz so of course I can't guarantee for 100%

 

 

Edited April 5, 2021 by kukynas
added info

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

On 03/04/2021 at 10:35 PM, kukynas said:

so after having this amp for about a month finally I had enough time to test it properly with nobody in da house so could crank it up and check if it runs as expected and yeeeees it does not .....

I've experience the same phenomenon with Nord's NC500 amp previously (except for slightly different reasons) and that's fatigue sound after certain period, it's not audible distortion or noise but inaudible ultrasonic's or something, I have no idea why and how but this is the only logical explanation, this could be the only culprit I can think of causing painful listening and I didn't even listened to crazy levels (82db at my listening position ~3.5m from speakers) when my ears started to whistle

Don't know what I'm gonna do yet but can't listening to it at the mo

 

That’s a bummer mate, having experienced that fatiguing sound on other gear it really is a killer and proves that component compatibility and synergy is critical. Do you think it’s a fault or it just doesn’t play well with your speakers?

[Pigpen]

On 03/04/2021 at 11:35 PM, kukynas said:

so after having this amp for about a month finally I had enough time to test it properly with nobody in da house so could crank it up and check if it runs as expected and yeeeees it does not .....

I've experience the same phenomenon with Nord's NC500 amp previously (except for slightly different reasons) and that's fatigue sound after certain period, it's not audible distortion or noise but inaudible ultrasonic's or something, I have no idea why and how but this is the only logical explanation, this could be the only culprit I can think of causing painful listening and I didn't even listened to crazy levels (82db at my listening position ~3.5m from speakers) when my ears started to whistle

Don't know what I'm gonna do yet but can't listening to it at the mo

 

I found the C298 a comfortable match with my i93s (when it was working), however, am aware that some amp/speaker pairings can be a little like oil and water.

 

I ran Sonique 4.5SE speakers with an ME1500 and they sang, when I tried them with valves, it was not a good pairing....

[kukynas]

7 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

That’s a bummer mate, having experienced that fatiguing sound on other gear it really is a killer and proves that component compatibility and synergy is critical. Do you think it’s a fault or it just doesn’t play well with your speakers?

 

I wouldn't say fault per se more like design compromise like with other things but apparently problem with my speakers, I think if Hypex/Purifi used different LC filter (with higher attenuation) to tame down high frequencies content it might have been ok, on the other hand hard to say what it would do with other aspects of the amplifier 

I've been in touch with Troels if I could do something to my xover but coz it's series-xover there is no room for low pass filter so another amp or speakers 

[rhcp_steve]

I have a NAD T758 v3 and thinking of getting a dedicated power amp for the fronts. Would the C298 be a good match or far overkill given the front end being this AVR? They will be powering Monitor Audio RX6 

[Pigpen]

The C298 is a very good piece of kit and very good value considering what is does - if you listen to one and decide it is for you, just ensure that the software version is 1.08, not 1.07.

 

An alternative if you like the Eigentakt amp sound is March Audio - I will write a quick review once my amps arrive from them.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

2 hours ago, rhcp_steve said:

I have a NAD T758 v3 and thinking of getting a dedicated power amp for the fronts. Would the C298 be a good match or far overkill given the front end being this AVR? They will be powering Monitor Audio RX6 

Possibly yes, what's your usual setup for watching movies, 5.1?

[rhcp_steve]

9 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Possibly yes, what's your usual setup for watching movies, 5.1?

Currently 5.1, though I’m intending to add 4x overheads for Atmos as well. 

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

12 hours ago, rhcp_steve said:

Currently 5.1, though I’m intending to add 4x overheads for Atmos as well. 

If movie watching is your thing I’d probably suggest atleast a three channel amp for the front stage would be the go given you are using a avr as source.

 

2ch is a different game and a $2500 spend on power would only get you half the way there, improving the rest of the music source would also be recommended.

[lemarquis]

On 04/04/2021 at 12:31 PM, Pigpen said:

I am awaiting the delivery of 2 March Audio Purifi based mono blocks - hopefully arrive this coming wee

 

Eagerly awaiting the March Audio units from Albany Western Australia, will provide feedback once I have listened to them at length.

I'm waiting for my Purifi as well. Have you received yours yet? Alan hasn't replied to my emails. 

[Pigpen]

Had an email from Alan the Thursday just gone (08APR21), my units are scheduled to be built this weekend and shipped Monday - around a week and a bit late.

 

Alan is a bit hit and miss email wise, however, he is a bit of a one man band which probably explains a lack of comms at times - I have had to query my units status a few times, a minor inconvenience given the hand assembly and testing of the units.

 

I saw an article a while back that pointed out that at the time of writing, only 2 companies were manufacturing Eigentakt amplifiers - NAD and March Audio.

 

Unfortunately I will be away when the units are meant to be delivered, will provide my thoughts when I get back - here’s hoping to a better experience than my C298 - awaiting delivery of who knows when.

 

The retailer refuses to provide a refund when I said they can have the brand new unopened  / sealed unit from Convoy back as “management will not permit it”.......

[lemarquis]

40 minutes ago, Pigpen said:

Had an email from Alan the Thursday just gone (08APR21), my units are scheduled to be built this weekend and shipped Monday - around a week and a bit late.

 

Alan is a bit hit and miss email wise, however, he is a bit of a one man band which probably explains a lack of comms at times - I have had to query my units status a few times, a minor inconvenience given the hand assembly and testing of the units.

Mine was due earlier this week so looks a bit late as well. It's not the delay I mind really just think when you've paid a few grand that an email update, let alone replying to a customer, is a minimum and not really that hard. I don't think it's good form 

 

Anyway looks like we'll both get the units soon so looking forward to that.

[Pigpen]

8 minutes ago, lemarquis said:

Mine was due earlier this week so looks a bit late as well. It's not the delay I mind really just think when you've paid a few grand that an email update, let alone replying to a customer, is a minimum and not really that hard. I don't think it's good form 

 

Anyway looks like we'll both get the units soon so looking forward to that.

 

Are you getting the stereo or the mono block units?

What speakers will you drive?

 

I get the frustration with the email comms - it would be nice to be proactively informed, however, I have become a lot more placid / less rabid  in my older age, especially with smaller companies / boutique type outfits.

 

Pigpen

 

 

[lemarquis]

4 minutes ago, Pigpen said:

 

Are you getting the stereo or the mono block units?

What speakers will you drive?

 

I get the frustration with the email comms - it would be nice to be proactively informed, however, I have become a lot more placid / less rabid  in my older age, especially with smaller companies / boutique type outfits.

 

Pigpen

 

 

I'll be driving the Eos Reference speakers (see sig). Nom 6 ohms and 91db. They won't need to be driven hard  

[Pigpen]

Needed to read your sig block on the computer - my phone cuts it off.....

 

I like the Osborn gear - very honest stuff. 

[Pigpen]

Had another email from Alan last night re the pending pre-amps which I queried a few days before, so he is definitely getting them.

 

I think he may be busy noting the timeframe to assemble / test / ship - I notice March Audio is probably better known outside of Australia given some of the inter web research I have done leading up to my purchase.

 

If all goes well with the March Audio amps (and I have no reason to believe they will not be good) I will sell the new, boxed / sealed NAD C298 if the retailer does not refund my money.

[lemarquis]

Yes the Osborns are great speakers so they will really show what the Purifi amp is capable of. Hopefully yours will arrive soon. I've ordered the stereo version and will try direct from the DAC.  (I'm still 2-0 emails from Alan - no reply at all).

[Pigpen]

20 minutes ago, lemarquis said:

Yes the Osborns are great speakers so they will really show what the Purifi amp is capable of. Hopefully yours will arrive soon. I've ordered the stereo version and will try direct from the DAC.  (I'm still 2-0 emails from Alan - no reply at all).

Fire him off another email - I have had to on occasion - he always responds to the second email!!

 

The March Audio pre-amps (when released) will interest me as well.

 

I am retiring and moving back to Geelong in October - may present an opportunity to listen and compare notes - last time I heard the Eos was at a hi-fi show, so far from ideal but even in that environment they sounded pretty good.

[kukynas]

just sold the C 298 and ordered Arcam HDA SA30, fingers x this one will be good match otherwise options are rapidly shrinking  

[Pigpen]

5 hours ago, kukynas said:

just sold the C 298 and ordered Arcam HDA SA30, fingers x this one will be good match otherwise options are rapidly shrinking  

Let us know how you go - the new modes of amplification coupled with streaming have me genuinely interested in audio again.

 

It appears Arcam have put their own spin on amplification using Class G topology - incidentally, like NAD, the Arcam software is upgradable which has fixed a few early bugs.