NAD M23 versus Benchmark AHB2

[aldo_75]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am wondering whether someone with experience can help me. I'm looking for a power amp to pair to my system:
- I have the Ferrum Stack: Hypsos + Wandla DAC (Golden sound edition) + OOR Amp.
- KEF R3 Meta
- Harmony HP2A Headphone/Pre Amp

I usually listen to classical music and pop plenty of vocals.

I was considering the NAD M23 versus Benchmark AHB2. I do not have much experience with power amp. Do you consider my current system 'enough revealing' so that I do not need any coloring amp to pair with? Any suggestion between the two power amp as best match with my system? I also open to some other recommendation that 'better' match my current system within similar budget of NAD M23 and Benchmark AHB2. This would be my first power amp. Thanks so much.

PS: I also read very positive reviews of the Burson Timekeeper 3X GT, but could not find any measurements to support such positive, bold statements. Any thoughts there?

 

[Bobdog57]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am wondering whether someone with experience can help me. I'm looking for a power amp to pair to my system:
- I have the Ferrum Stack: Hypsos + Wandla DAC (Golden sound edition) + OOR Amp.
- KEF R3 Meta
- Harmony HP2A Headphone/Pre Amp

I usually listen to classical music and pop plenty of vocals.

I was considering the NAD M23 versus Benchmark AHB2. I do not have much experience with power amp. Do you consider my current system 'enough revealing' so that I do not need any coloring amp to pair with? Any suggestion between the two power amp as best match with my system? I also open to some other recommendation that 'better' match my current system within similar budget of NAD M23 and Benchmark AHB2. This would be my first power amp. Thanks so much.

PS: I also read very positive reviews of the Burson Timekeeper 3X GT, but could not find any measurements to support such positive, bold statements. Any thoughts there?

 

[Bobdog57]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am wondering whether someone with experience can help me. I'm looking for a power amp to pair to my system:
- I have the Ferrum Stack: Hypsos + Wandla DAC (Golden sound edition) + OOR Amp.
- KEF R3 Meta
- Harmony HP2A Headphone/Pre Amp

I usually listen to classical music and pop plenty of vocals.

I was considering the NAD M23 versus Benchmark AHB2. I do not have much experience with power amp. Do you consider my current system 'enough revealing' so that I do not need any coloring amp to pair with? Any suggestion between the two power amp as best match with my system? I also open to some other recommendation that 'better' match my current system within similar budget of NAD M23 and Benchmark AHB2. This would be my first power amp. Thanks so much.

PS: I also read very positive reviews of the Burson Timekeeper 3X GT, but could not find any measurements to support such positive, bold statements. Any thoughts there?

It would depend on your preference in listening. Personally, I prefer accuracy, especially in my elder years. I've owned a lot of gear, and still do (7 amplifiers), but the ABH2 is nothing like I've owned or listened to before. It is studio quality and is absolutely dead silent and virtually zero distortion at any listening level. However, I have been a fan of NAD gear since the early 80's, and still own 2 of their vintage preamps and their 2200 Power Envelope which I pair with my Thorens TD160. The reviews I have read for the NAD M22 does hat have the absolute measurements of the Benchmark, but measure quite well, and may be more "fun". But, bear in mind the M23 id a Class D amp, and the Benchmark a class H w/ class A/B circuitry. ASR link attached. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nad-m23-stereo-amplifier-review.45462/

 

[aldo_75]

It would depend on your preference in listening. Personally, I prefer accuracy, especially in my elder years. I've owned a lot of gear, and still do (7 amplifiers), but the ABH2 is nothing like I've owned or listened to before. It is studio quality and is absolutely dead silent and virtually zero distortion at any listening level. However, I have been a fan of NAD gear since the early 80's, and still own 2 of their vintage preamps and their 2200 Power Envelope which I pair with my Thorens TD160. The reviews I have read for the NAD M22 does hat have the absolute measurements of the Benchmark, but measure quite well, and may be more "fun". But, bear in mind the M23 id a Class D amp, and the Benchmark a class H w/ class A/B circuitry. ASR link attached. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nad-m23-stereo-amplifier-review.45462/

Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and the link of the review. I like accuracy but not when it gets too clinical,I would like to keep a bit of the 'fun' component. I'm new to the field and I do not have the resolution to understand whether my current system is good enough to be paired with such high-end amp or basically there will be a negligible difference. Thanks so much.

 

[Bobdog57]

Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and the link of the review. I like accuracy but not when it gets too clinical,I would like to keep a bit of the 'fun' component. I'm new to the field and I do not have the resolution to understand whether my current system is good enough to be paired with such high-end amp or basically there will be a negligible difference. Thanks so much.

The price points are virtually the same. I'm certain you would be pleased w/ the M23. As a foot note: the M23 is 200 @ 8 and the ABH2 is 100 @ 8.

 

[aldo_75]

The price points are virtually the same. I'm certain you would be pleased w/ the M23.

Thanks so much.

 

[RnRmf]

Benchmark has the 30 day trial to check it out. At some point I need to take advantage of that and see if they're something I could switch over to. I am intrigued by the technology and reviews.

 

[Iamrael]

Other than owning a NAD integrated in the late 70s’ I haven’t heard any of their components since, but the reviews from end users seem pretty solid.
I won’t even try to list the many amplifiers I have had between then and now but for the past year I have been listening to the Benchmark amp with a pair of Magnepan 3.7i and am completely enamored with the performance of this little amp. Price/performance ratio is out of this world, imo.
I think it’s worth taking up one of the online retailers on the no questions asked (you need to pay for return shipping) free 30 day trial.

 

[aldo_75]

Other than owning a NAD integrated in the late 70s’ I haven’t heard any of their components since, but the reviews from end users seem pretty solid.
I won’t even try to list the many amplifiers I have had between then and now but for the past year I have been listening to the Benchmark amp with a pair of Magnepan 3.7i and am completely enamored with the performance of this little amp. Price/performance ratio is out of this world, imo.
I think it’s worth taking up one of the online retailers on the no questions asked (you need to pay for return shipping) free 30 day trial.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You convinced me to try it, I will.

 

[vermaxis]

I would highly recommend listening to them both as they are completely different. A while ago I tried the AHB2 through Benchmark’s website then later purchased a M23 through Crutchfield.

My take - the Benchmark was lifeless and didn’t compel me to move with the music at all. On the other hand, I liked the NAD quite a bit. I’ve since compared it to other amps, including more expensive class D, and preferred it. Based on your comments above I think you might like it, too.

Happy listening!

 

[aldo_75]

I would highly recommend listening to them both as they are completely different. A while ago I tried the AHB2 through Benchmark’s website then later purchased a M23 through Crutchfield.

My take - the Benchmark was lifeless and didn’t compel me to move with the music at all. On the other hand, I liked the NAD quite a bit. I’ve since compared it to other amps, including more expensive class D, and preferred it. Based on your comments above I think you might like it, too.

Happy listening!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. How about having a transparent power amp and coloring the musing using a preamp? For instance I was thinking to have a solid state preamp and a tube pre amp to get different flavors. This would let me keep the power amp in the system for a long time without getting tired of a specific sound. But, again, I’m talking without being able to listen to any of them and I have zero experience with power amps. Thanks so much.

 

[Hear Here]

I have owned both, although the M33 rather than the M23 - basically the M33 adds streamer, DAC and Preamp, but the power amp part is the same Purifi Eigentakt Class D as M23.

I'd suggest you try to borrow demo units to compare the two. If you do that, I'll bet a pound to a penny that you'll take the M23.

Both measure well (the ABH2 maybe marginally better) and both are dead quiet, but with your speakers, most high quality amps with a good S/N ratio should be quiet.

The difference will be in the relative life-like excitement-factor that you get from these amps. From my experience, one will be drearily dull - though some may prefer that - and the other will offer thrills more like the live concert-hall performance you are likely to be looking for. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusion, but both are good amps, only one is the sort of amp you'll be often turning up the volume of.

PS - I home tested 12 amps before deciding which to keep and it was surprising how much they varied. Some, to my surprise were disappointing (Quad, Benchmark and Sugden amongst them), others were very tempting (GamuT , Mark Levinson and Accuphase) and their Class had little to do with it. I went for the amp that offered the most entertaining and exciting sound through my already entertaining and exciting speakers. I suspect my choice of listening material may be similar to yours.

 

[vermaxis]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. How about having a transparent power amp and coloring the musing using a preamp? For instance I was thinking to have a solid state preamp and a tube pre amp to get different flavors. This would let me keep the power amp in the system for a long time without getting tired of a specific sound. But, again, I’m talking without being able to listen to any of them and I have zero experience with power amps. Thanks so much.

There are definitely a lot of people that go that route. It can be a nice way to add flexibility and tailor the music to your tastes.

Unfortunately I can’t really help there. I’ve only ever had one preamp which was solid state but I have experimented with tube and non-tube power amps. My end result was wanting to stay with solid state due to some perceived hassles around big power tubes like warm up time, cost of replacement, etc.

Ultimately, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to hear the pieces in your home. Whether it’s buying used at a good price to resell, buying from a retailer that allows returns, or working with a local dealer to audition, it is critically important. You can read every review in the universe about a particular piece only to find out immediately when you get it home that you wouldn’t describe it like that.

Theory is a good place to start but nothing compares to actual reality!

 

[Hear Here]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. How about having a transparent power amp and coloring the musing using a preamp? For instance I was thinking to have a solid state preamp and a tube pre amp to get different flavors. This would let me keep the power amp in the system for a long time without getting tired of a specific sound. But, again, I’m talking without being able to listen to any of them and I have zero experience with power amps. Thanks so much.

I wonder if you are putting too big a proportion of your audio budget into electronics?

Personally, I look for the best speaker I can afford (and biggest sound taking account of the room, so always floor-standers) and then looking at the best electronics to suit my big speaker investment. For this, I am inclined to keep my box-count low, as components such as streamer, DAC and preamp are now so small, there is little justification for putting each into its own costly enclosure with their own power supply and (my pet hate) connected by a snake-pit of CABLES needed for this pile of boxes. I went for the NAD M33 that offers a fantastic performance for relatively little money - at least compared with several separates. In my next upgrade, it may be the M66 plus M23, or the M66 plus Atma-Sphere Class D mono amps.

 

[aldo_75]

There are definitely a lot of people that go that route. It can be a nice way to add flexibility and tailor the music to your tastes.

Unfortunately I can’t really help there. I’ve only ever had one preamp which was solid state but I have experimented with tube and non-tube power amps. My end result was wanting to stay with solid state due to some perceived hassles around big power tubes like warm up time, cost of replacement, etc.

Ultimately, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to hear the pieces in your home. Whether it’s buying used at a good price to resell, buying from a retailer that allows returns, or working with a local dealer to audition, it is critically important. You can read every review in the universe about a particular piece only to find out immediately when you get it home that you wouldn’t describe it like that.

Theory is a good place to start but nothing compares to actual reality!

Thanks so much for the advise. Indeed, since I have no direct listen experience with different amps (and their classes), I better find a retailer and have some listening there. I have this tendency to look at the ‘theory’ only, which I understand is not the right approach when it comes to audio and listening experience. Thanks

 

[aldo_75]

I wonder if you are putting too big a proportion of your audio budget into electronics?

Personally, I look for the best speaker I can afford (and biggest sound taking account of the room, so always floor-standers) and then looking at the best electronics to suit my big speaker investment. For this, I am inclined to keep my box-count low, as components such as streamer, DAC and preamp are now so small, there is little justification for putting each into its own costly enclosure with their own power supply and (my pet hate) connected by a snake-pit of CABLES needed for this pile of boxes. I went for the NAD M33 that offers a fantastic performance for relatively little money - at least compared with several separates. In my next upgrade, it may be the M66 plus M23, or the M66 plus Atma-Sphere Class D mono amps.

Thanks for bringing this up. You may be right. It is just that I do not have much experience, and even less with the room acoustic. I guess I have a lot to study here. Thanks

 

[vermaxis]

Thanks for bringing this up. You may be right. It is just that I do not have much experience, and even less with the room acoustic. I guess I have a lot to study here. Thanks

One note here - it's an age old question of which component is the most important and makes the most difference.

In my experience, I think you should first and foremost be happy with your speaker choice. Components are relatively easy to swap in and out but speakers are far more difficult. So start with making sure you're happy with your speakers and can build around them.

Then, again in my experience, I think the DAC makes the biggest difference followed by the source. I don't have much experience with preamps and I can say that power amps do make a difference, but much smaller than a DAC or source. I have been absolutely stunned by the change in character to the music as I went through my DAC journey and each time I have changed/upgraded my source.

Of course, your room itself is probably the biggest factor in how your music is presented. So speaker positioning, room treatment, DSP, etc. all make absolutely massive differences. But you can't do everything at once (nor should you!), so one thing at a time

 

[ecwl]

I felt like I'm going to be contrarian here but I haven't lived with either of these amps. Having listened to them at my Head-Fi meet, at local dealers, I personally prefer AHB2 over M23. I find particularly when paired with Chord DACs, the M23 loses a bit of transient accuracy. AHB2 is definitely no doubt a warts and all kinda amp so you pretty much hear everything, the good and the bad on recordings. I did find M23 slightly smoother. But others here have had more extended experience with the amps. My gut feeling is that I heard the same thing others did except I just prefer AHB2 over M23 whereas most people here prefer M23. I think as many have said, your best bet is to just try to demo both amps if possible.

 

[aldo_75]

I felt like I'm going to be contrarian here but I haven't lived with either of these amps. Having listened to them at my Head-Fi meet, at local dealers, I personally prefer AHB2 over M23. I find particularly when paired with Chord DACs, the M23 loses a bit of transient accuracy. AHB2 is definitely no doubt a warts and all kinda amp so you pretty much hear everything, the good and the bad on recordings. I did find M23 slightly smoother. But others here have had more extended experience with the amps. My gut feeling is that I heard the same thing others did except I just prefer AHB2 over M23 whereas most people here prefer M23. I think as many have said, your best bet is to just try to demo both amps if possible.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Yes, a common advise from all of you is to try to listen to both. I do not have a dealer nearby, I will see if I can purchase both and then return the one I like less.thanks to all of you for all the advices and thoughts. I have a lot to learn here.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I have owned both, although the M33 rather than the M23 - basically the M33 adds streamer, DAC and Preamp, but the power amp part is the same Purifi Eigentakt Class D as M23.

I'd suggest you try to borrow demo units to compare the two. If you do that, I'll bet a pound to a penny that you'll take the M23.

Both measure well (the ABH2 maybe marginally better) and both are dead quiet, but with your speakers, most high quality amps with a good S/N ratio should be quiet.

The difference will be in the relative life-like excitement-factor that you get from these amps. From my experience, one will be drearily dull - though some may prefer that - and the other will offer thrills more like the live concert-hall performance you are likely to be looking for. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusion, but both are good amps, only one is the sort of amp you'll be often turning up the volume of.

PS - I home tested 12 amps before deciding which to keep and it was surprising how much they varied. Some, to my surprise were disappointing (Quad, Benchmark and Sugden amongst them), others were very tempting (GamuT , Mark Levinson and Accuphase) and their Class had little to do with it. I went for the amp that offered the most entertaining and exciting sound through my already entertaining and exciting speakers. I suspect my choice of listening material may be similar to yours.

Agree, the only way to know is to demo in your space. Every piece in my system has be auditioned in my home.