Sidebar 1: NAD M28 seven channel power amplifier
After the release of the M33 Streaming Integrated Amplifier, the next release in the Masters Series seemed obvious: It would be a stereo power amplifier, a successor to the nCore-based M22 v2, featuring the same Purifi-based output technology found in the M33.
Instead, NAD announced the seven-channel M28 amplifier ($4999), successor to the nCore-based M27. I welcomed it because the beloved, durable Bryston 9B-ST THX in my Connecticut system had recently blown an internal fuse. Its 20-year warranty was expiring soon, so I decided to send it to Bryston for a checkup and restoration. NAD offered me an M28 for a trial at just the right time. Off went the Bryston (footnote 1) and in came the NAD.
As part of the NAD Masters Series, the M28 comes in luxurious packaging and impressively sturdy construction.
Armed with seven channels of >200 watts (all channels driven), the M28 weighs in at 33.2lb including the neat, magnetically attached feet. It has both XLR (balanced) and RCA (unbalanced) inputs with switches for each channel, auto-standby and auto-on options, and a 12V trigger input.
I connected the seven balanced outputs of the Marantz AV8805 to the balanced inputs of the M28 and connected the outputs to five main speakers (FR, C, FL, SR, SL) and the front L/R Atmos speakers. I ran a 12V trigger cable to turn it all on or off. The rear L/R Atmos speakers ran from a Parasound Zamp v.3. The powered subs were connected via the DSPeaker Anti-Mode X4 EQ. It all worked together flawlessly.
With the NAD amp in place, I felt that there was a more satisfying integration of the soundfield than before. At first, I thought this was simply due to the smoothness and transparency of the M28. Even in non-bass-managed stereo, it sounded a little bit different from the Bryston: The treble seemed more delicately detailed while the upper low frequencies were a bit better defined. In multichannel, the M28 created a somewhat greater sense of envelopment with both 5.1 and Atmos content.
The M28 shares the same NAD Purifi-Eigentakt amp board as the C 298, and, while I listen to them in different places, I'd say they sound similar.
The NAD M28 is now resident in my system. It is nearly half the weight and draws half the power at idle as its predecessor, but I foresee it remaining there for just as long.—Kal Rubinson
Footnote 1: Bryston replaced the fuse and updated all channels in the 9B with new output devices. I trust it will serve its new owner as well as it has served me.
Footnote 1: Bryston replaced the fuse and updated all channels in the 9B with new output devices. I trust it will serve its new owner as well as it has served me.
