SINAD 98 in Stereophile's test makes it below the EVAL-1 but easily in the blue area of better measuring amps.
Check the power x THD+N graph for 4 ohms, and read the 5W point, it is about 0.0012%, which translates to SINAD 98.I have the review and measurements in front of me (would love to share but I assume it’s not kosher to post before it hits Stereophile’s website), and I don’t see where you’re getting that from. The only place I see 98db mentioned is in the mfg spec for SNR at 1W and A-weighted (JA’s SNR measurement is 95db audioband and 99db A-weighted). If you’re pulling that 98db SINAD from somewhere among JA’s THD+N measurements, I don’t see that either. I’m not the most adept at reading measurements so please don’t misunderstand this as an accusation. Would just like to clarify. I guess pretty soon everyone will see all of the measurements so it won’t be a mystery for long.
My layman’s take is it looks pretty impeccable. Not AHB2 level, but remarkably clean and load invariant for the power, features, and price.
Check the power x THD+N graph for 4 ohms, and read the 5W point, it is about 0.0012%, which translates to SINAD 98.
The instructions I have say:
At operating mode, press and hold front panel Standby button and then release within 5-10 seconds. The Power Light should flash once and the Bridge mode indicator light will flash a number of times with the count indicating the firmware version (i.e., 8 flashes indicates v1.08). Worked for me. Go figure!
got my C298 yesterday.
The Power Light flashes double and the Bridge mode indicator light once.
Version 2.1 ?
My replacement unit also does as they describe, following your instructions.Nope! Read the instructions again. In operating mode, Press and hold front panel Standby button for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds.
Mechanical buzz and hum can be caused by DC offset in the AC power. It may be worth trying a DC blocking filter. I and another member had success with the iFi DC Blocker.For what it's worth, both of the units I've received have also had mechanical noise from the power supply in the C298, the first a fairly obnoxious hiss, the second a possibly more tolerable buzzing. I have a relatively small living room, which perhaps makes this a bit more noticeable from my listening position (about 2.5m from the amplifier) than it would be for others. The first one went to a NAD service centre where they apparently added additional materials around the inductors to dampen the noise, but it made no difference that I could discern, and they also stated that noise from this kind of power supply design is "normal". I might try moving it to a lower position in the room, the dealer seems very reluctant to accept a return.
Thanks, I forgot to mention that I ordered one of these (the design using 6 diodes), but I returned the original unit before I could try it with that, and it makes no difference with the replacement.Mechanical buzz and hum can be caused by DC offset in the AC power. It may be worth trying a DC blocking filter. I and another member had success with the iFi DC Blocker.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/my-toroids-buzz.22587/
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Nope! Read the instructions again. In operating mode, Press and hold front panel Standby button for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds.
And online now:SINAD 98 in Stereophile's test makes it below the EVAL-1 but easily in the blue area of better measuring amps.
So, @Kal Rubinson , in an attempt to avoid buyer's remorse from returning a C298 and purchasing an AHB2, how do you rank the two (aside from the obvious that the former is more powerful, which isn't that important to me in my desktop/nearfield arrangement)?
Rank? I hate that idea but I do prefer the AHB2 for its subjectively more transparent and revealing upper range with my Revels. With another speaker (review not yet published), that advantage was less apparent and the power difference seemed more relevant. I have bought both.
For what it's worth, both of the units I've received have also had mechanical noise from the power supply in the C298, the first a fairly obnoxious hiss, the second a possibly more tolerable buzzing.