Wow they seem identical...I just noted that the power supplies in the M33 and the C298 are very similar, if not identical:
View attachment 87278
C298 top, M33 bottom.
Wow they seem identical...I just noted that the power supplies in the M33 and the C298 are very similar, if not identical:
View attachment 87278
C298 top, M33 bottom.
NAD SMPS, Jianghai caps...
The C658 was tested by Amir and the results were disappointing especially regarding the DAC performances. The M33 was measured @johnatkinson for stereophile (availalbe on the web site). Since @johnatkinson is also a ASR member, I am sure he will be able to comment their respective performances especially on the digital side.Hi,
sorry if I may ask a stupid question as I'm new to hifi.
As I understand it a combination of C658+C298 and the M33 provide a similarset of features?
For example both provide BluOS Multiroom streaming, Dirac and Purify Technology for the amp.
The biggest difference for me is that M33 is a "all-in-one" amp of the higher master series with a nice touchscreen, a good look and a much higher price.
Of course the specifications are also better. But I'm not sure if this is worth the price difference?
I read a comment from John Darko ( https://darko.audio/2020/09/nad-preps-purifi-eigentaktd-c-298-power-amplifier/ )
"If we add NAD’s C 658 streaming pre-amplifier (to the C 298) for US$1650, we get an Eigentakt-based amplifier system with BluOS streaming, MM phono staging and Dirac Live Lite for US$3650. Add the full-frequency Dirac Live for an extra US$99 and we arrive at a total of US$3750 — a full US$1250 less than the US$5000 Masters M33. That’s interesting for those who can do without the latter’s touchscreen, balanced inputs and MC phono staging. "
Thanks,
Michael
This is very interesting. I saw that C658 has "ESS Sabre D/A-Wandler with 24 Bit / 192 kHz Auflösung" while M33 has "32 Bit/384 kHz ESS Sabre D/A-Wandler". Does someone has more information?The C658 was tested by Amir and the results were disappointing especially regarding the DAC performances. The M33 was measured @johnatkinson for stereophile (availalbe on the web site). Since @johnatkinson is also a ASR member, I am sure he will be able to comment their respective performances especially on the digital side.
I just saw in another thread that Amir has almost completed the test of the M33. it will be released in the coming days. Let’s see what is the result...This is very interesting. I saw that C658 has "ESS Sabre D/A-Wandler with 24 Bit / 192 kHz Auflösung" while M33 has "32 Bit/384 kHz ESS Sabre D/A-Wandler". Does someone has more information?
Would you guys see a problem with buying an all-in one solution instead of separate modules?
My old Hifi system is about 30 years old and it still works despite of some minor things.
I hope that nowadays hifi components are still reliable in long term use (and can be used without a cloud application).
Regards,
Michael
The C658 was tested by Amir and the results were disappointing especially regarding the DAC performances. The M33 was measured @johnatkinson for stereophile (availalbe on the web site). Since @johnatkinson is also a ASR member, I am sure he will be able to comment their respective performances especially on the digital side.
Hi,
I read this discussion with a lot of interest.
I'm currently thinking about a combination of NAD C658 and NAD 298. I would probably get KEF R7 as speakers.
What do you think about this combination?
The NAD M33 also looks nice. But the price difference is quite big and my wife is not happy about this.
Do you think the M33 really is that better then NAD C658 and NAD 298?
What is the big difference despite a better look and the display? Does it sound that much better?
Would it be possible to add an AVR Receiver and use the KEF speakers over the NAD systems?
What would be the best way to do that? Would I need the NAD MDC HDMI Module for this?
Many thanks for your opions,
Michael
You can assume that they do. Grounding the black speaker connector on any class D amp is a very bad idea indeed. All of the class D amps I know of are balanced. i.e. their negative terminal is not grounded.Does anyone know if the Rel subwoofer high level connection considerations/recommendations apply to the C298?
https://relsupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004486607-Class-D-Amp-Connection-Methods
I.e do the C298 "reference to 10-15 volts ABOVE ground"? (I have no idea what that means).
Thank you!You can assume that they do. Grounding the black speaker connector on any class D amp is a very bad idea indeed. None of the class D amps I know of are not balanced. i.e. their negative terminal is not grounded.
So you can try simply connecting the REL's yellow and red wires to left positive and right positive on the amp, and leave the REL black wire disconnected. If that works then great, but if you get hum, then try connecting the REL black wire to the ground connector on the C298. That will almost certainly work fine.
Got my C298 yesterday. It goes quite nicely with my C658. However, I have some strange findings
I'm using a trigger cable from de 658 to the 298. This works like a charm. However, if I stop playback on the 658, the 298 eventually (after about an hour, haven't measured how long it takes exactly) goes into standby and I cannot seem to wake it again except by turning the C658 off and on again. I've tried starting the music (according to the front screen I do manage to do that) and upping the volume (after resuming playback on the 658 of course). I've already set the 'auto-sense' switch to low, but that doesn't seem to do anything. Am I correct in my assumption that raising the volume on my C658 should also up the voltage that's being sent to the C298?
Also, while using the balanced inputs, I still get a 'thump' in my speakers when I turn off the C658 (and the trigger turns off the amp). This can be fixed by using the unbalanced inputs. So now I'm using those. I hear no difference in sound quality, but the 'thump' is gone...
Wait what? Your C298 has some sort of auto off without trigger cable? That's not even supposed to be a feature according to NAD.Thanks. In my case it does seem to do auto off, it just never turns on again
I've also tested without the trigger cable. The amp wakes up the first time I put on music with the C658. If I stop the music the amp also powers down (the C298, the C658 always is on, just on pause) and it only powers on again if I use the switch in the back.
It seems my C298 is broken in a weird way...
And how do you find the overall audio performance?Got my C298 yesterday. It goes quite nicely with my C658. However, I have some strange findings
I'm using a trigger cable from de 658 to the 298. This works like a charm. However, if I stop playback on the 658, the 298 eventually (after about an hour, haven't measured how long it takes exactly) goes into standby and I cannot seem to wake it again except by turning the C658 off and on again. I've tried starting the music (according to the front screen I do manage to do that) and upping the volume (after resuming playback on the 658 of course). I've already set the 'auto-sense' switch to low, but that doesn't seem to do anything. Am I correct in my assumption that raising the volume on my C658 should also up the voltage that's being sent to the C298?
Also, while using the balanced inputs, I still get a 'thump' in my speakers when I turn off the C658 (and the trigger turns off the amp). This can be fixed by using the unbalanced inputs. So now I'm using those. I hear no difference in sound quality, but the 'thump' is gone...
Your Rotel 1590 is still one of the best class A/B power amp out there.Wonder how it compares to my Rotel