In the opinion of most listeners, it was both. But while the 3020's relatively low-powered amplifier (conservatively rated at 20Wpc into 8 ohms) limited it to driving small, efficient loudspeakers, its…
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Older audiophiles remember the splash NAD made in the late 1970s with the introduction of their 3020 integrated amplifier ($175). Ridiculously cheap, it looked graceful and sounded warm, inviting, and holographic. Removable jumpers between the 3020's sections permitted enthusiasts to determine whether the magic resided in its preamp, its power amp, or in some synergy of both.
NAD's PowerDrive circuit continually monitors output current and adjusts the power-supply voltage rails to maximize the dynamic power sent to the speakers. According to NAD, PowerDrive makes the M3 sound far more powerful than its rated 180Wpc. (For a detailed explanation of PowerDrive, see the sidebar "What Is PowerDrive?," in Jim Austin's review of NAD's C 372 integrated amplifier in the October 2006 Stereophile.)
The power-amp circuit uses a wideband, current-mode, class-A voltage amplifier and an NAD-patented current-amp output stage with small amounts of feedback to help deliver…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state, two-channel, remote-controlled integrated amplifier with seven line inputs (including one balanced XLR). Rated maximum output power at clipping: 220W (23.4dBW). Continuous average output power: 180Wpc into 4 or 8 ohms (22.5dBW) within rated distortion. Dynamic power: 300Wpc (24.7dBW) into 8 ohms, 520W (27.2dBW) into 4 ohms, 700W (28.4dBW) into 2 ohms. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.3dB (–3dB at >80kHz). Damping factor, ref. 8 ohms, 50Hz: >150. Amplifier input impedance (R, C): 20k ohms, 680pF. Input sensitivity, ref. rated…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Kuzma Reference XL, Metronome Gaia turntables; Graham Phantom, Continuum Cobra, Kuzma Airline tonearms; Lyra Titan (stereo, mono), Lyra Skala, Transfiguration Orpheus cartridges.
Digital Sources: Naim CD555 CD player; Alesis Masterlink BPT-modified, hard-disk–based recorder.
Preamplification: Manley Steelhead, ASR Basis Exclusive phono preamplifiers; Musical Fidelity kWP preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Musical Fidelity kW monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX2, Peak Consult El…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
As usual, I preconditioned the NAD M3 by running it at one-third its specified power into 8 ohms for one hour with both channels driven. While the measured percentage of THD+noise remained constant throughout this period, at a low 0.0035%, the chassis got almost too hot to touch, and the side-mounted heatsinks definitely so. Measured at its speaker terminals, the M3 offered a maximum voltage gain of 39.2dB into 8 ohms for both balanced and unbalanced input signals. With the volume control set to "0.0dB," the overall voltage gain was 29.2dB. This was also the gain…
The one thing I've liked about designer Mike Creek of Creek Audio as much as his design talent is his predictability. I've been following his integrated-amplifier designs for nearly 20 years now, having reviewed, in sequence, the CAS4140s2 (for another magazine), the 4240SE (Stereophile, December 1995, Vol.18 No.12), and the 5350SE (March 2001, Vol.24 No.3). In each case, I was sufficiently impressed with the review sample that I bought it and made it my new reference in my second, affordable system. The predictable part comes from Creek's traditional nomenclature: an "s2" or "SE" (Special…
The Sound
I can't comment on the timbral characteristics of the Creek Destiny because, across the entire frequency spectrum, I heard not a single deviation from neutrality—this is the least colored component I've ever reviewed. Here are its strengths:
I can't comment on the timbral characteristics of the Creek Destiny because, across the entire frequency spectrum, I heard not a single deviation from neutrality—this is the least colored component I've ever reviewed. Here are its strengths:
• pristine, extended, and detailed high frequencies with no trace of hardness, and a purity and delicacy that reminded me more of the pricier Jeff Rowland Design Group products than of older Creek designs; appearing in my listening notes many times: "Clean! Clean! Clean!"
• an organic rendering of low-level dynamic articulation…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Remote-controlled, solid-state integrated amplifier with five line inputs, one tape loop, switchable preamp output & power-amp input, two pairs of speaker terminals and a headphone jack., Maximum output power: >100Wpc into 8 ohms, both channels driven (20dBW); >200W into 4 ohms, one channel driven (20dBW). Maximum output current: >25 amps. THD (no level specified): <0.05%, 20Hz–20kHz. Frequency response: 3Hz–80kHz, –1dB. Voltage gain: 33.6dB (48x) with passive preamplifier, +3dB +6dB +9dB with built-in gain stage. Input sensitivity:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV turntable, Immedia RPM tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Aurum Beta S cartridge.
Digital Sources: Creek Destiny & CD53 Mk.II, California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II Power Boss CD players; Pioneer DV-333 DVD player.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research VT100 Mk.II.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350SE, NAD C 372.
Loudspeakers: Monitor Audio Silver RS6, Joseph Audio RM7XL Special…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I tried to precondition the Creek Destiny by running it at one-third its specified power into 8 ohms for one hour with both channels driven. However, it shut itself off after 20 minutes, and the area of the top panel over its internal heatsinks was very hot. Pressing the Standby button brought the amplifier back into operation.
Looking first at the Destiny's preamplifier section, in passive mode the maximum voltage gain, measured at the preamp-out jacks, was 0dB, as expected. Also as expected, the input impedance varied according to the setting of the…