Magico and class D amp

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pdxaudio

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I’m planning on getting a pair of the new Magico A5s and I’m researching some integrated systems to drive them. I would like to get something that runs cool and has a small footprint so I started looking into class D amplification. Would something like the upcoming NAD M33 drive them sufficiently or do I need more/different power?

The budget is around $10k but could go a bit higher for the right system. Also my preference is a black component over silver and would like it to be an all in one system that is Roon ready. I’m open to any other suggestions in class D or otherwise.

Thanks
 
Audio Advisor is a NAD dealer and carries the current M32 so if they eventually carry the M33 then you will have the 30 day trial period. Also Crutchfield and Music Direct both also with trial periods.
 
Congrats on your upcoming A5s. Magico are great speakers.

For a little more you could go with Pass Labs INT-250. Pass and Magico seem to be meant for one another.
 
Jack said:
Audio Advisor is a NAD dealer and carries the current M32 so if they eventually carry the M33 then you will have the 30 day trial period. Also Crutchfield and Music Direct both also with trial periods.
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Thanks, I forgot about the home trials that are available at all those retailers. I will definitely look at those.
 
Calvin said:
Congrats on your upcoming A5s. Magico are great speakers.

For a little more you could go with Pass Labs INT-250. Pass and Magico seem to be meant for one another.
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Thanks, I actually have an INT-60 with another system that I will test with A5s at some point but I’m hoping to find something smaller, lighter and cooler that can run all day without heating up the whole house :cool:
 
I have used the Aavik U-300 (now replaced by U-380) to power Magico V3's. (600 watt per channel @ 4 Ohm, 2 Ohm stabil), this amp is running very cool.
For less money Aavik also has the U-150, (same power output as the U-300/380)
 
I must admit the Pass "hot" comment is surprising. I was VERY concerned about this as a possible issue before I purchased my Pass. And living in FL (no winters to speak of ...), I researched the issue a lot - I called Pass and I spoke to other owners for months prior to purchase.

I run my 260.8s all day long (12-18 hours per day) and heat is not an issue. While mine do get warm they never get hot - and definitely don't heat the entire house. If they did I definitely wouldn't be considering a Magico M3 and Pass X600.8 combo.

This said, the size of the room is important. My present Pass/Magico combo are in a medium sized room, so if you have a small room, then the felt effect would be different. But even my friend's Class A Audio Research Reference 160Ms don't get hot and his room is smaller than mine - and sounds amazing.

This said, a Pass Class A/B amp would normally run warmer than a Class D amp, but not hot. Mike sells a lot of Pass INTs. Perhaps he can pipe in here.

While the Magico A3s are absolutely amazing, I wish I had a set of A5's while I try to decide on whether I get a set of M3s or not. Based upon my experience with the A3s, I think you will be well-pleased with the A5s.

Enjoy the journey.


pdxaudio said:
Thanks, I actually have an INT-60 with another system that I will test with A5s at some point but I’m hoping to find something smaller, lighter and cooler that can run all day without heating up the whole house :cool:
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The INT-60, like the 260.8’s don’t really heat up the house/room. They certainly produce more heat than a standard A/B amp or most certainly a class D amp, but nothing like the bigger amps from Pass (XA160.8 and up).

My customer with XS300’s has a dedicated AC unit for his listening room and just had to install returns directly above the amps to keep the air circulating. Now those amps can heat up some rooms!

It wouldn’t bother me one bit to have the INT-60 or 260.8’s. Their heat output is modest.

As for the A5’s, boy, they are soooo good. I demoed a pair on Saturday for a customer and he will certainly be pulling the trigger.
 
If you'd like to save money, Anthem (another underrated Canadian brand) has their STR integrated on sale at the moment. Class A Stereophile rated, DAC included, runs cool, and has room correction.

Sonically, staying with Canadians, I prefer Simaudio to NAD, but it is also more expensive. The Sim 390 is a killer piece, and you could add a Class D amp (or two) and stay under $10,000. I haven't heard their latest integrated amps, but Mike carries the brand, so can give you good advice, as always.

Having said that, NAD has definitely stepped up their game, and I love Jack's advice on getting an in-home demo from AA.
 
VT Skier said:
If you'd like to save money, Anthem (another underrated Canadian brand) has their STR integrated on sale at the moment. Class A Stereophile rated, DAC included, runs cool, and has room correction.

Sonically, staying with Canadians, I prefer Simaudio to NAD, but it is also more expensive. The Sim 390 is a killer piece, and you could add a Class D amp (or two) and stay under $10,000. I haven't heard their latest integrated amps, but Mike carries the brand, so can give you good advice, as always.

Having said that, NAD has definitely stepped up their game, and I love Jack's advice on getting an in-home demo from AA.
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You’re right. After being floored by the Sim 390, we ordered all their other integrated amps last week. Can’t wait to hear the i700.
 
If you want to consider non-Canadian brands, I doubt anything can touch the Boulder 866 for anywhere near its price, although that's probably more than you'd like to spend. $15,000 with the DAC? And might run a little warmer than NAD, Sim or Anthem.

More good questions for Mike.

Also, I don't think Anthem STR is Roon certified, but I'm pretty sure Boulder and Sim are.
 
Naim amps don't run hot/warm and are much more musical than class D. IMO.

Supernait 3 is a great integrated, and as monies are available you can easily upgrade w power supplies.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice so far. I guess hot maybe wasn’t the right description for the INT-60 but it’s definitely warm to touch and you can feel the effect of it, especially in a small/medium size room but even in my bigger living room I didn’t want to have it running for too long.

I did consider (and still considering) Boulder 866 but it felt as warm or warmer to touch when idle than INT-60. The Luxman L-509X (which is also on my list) I saw at a dealer right next to the Boulder was running a bit cooler.

I did look at the Anthem STR integrated and would definitely consider it if it had streaming/Roon integration. And I do like the Simaudio stuff but those would require multiple boxes and would get a bit expensive for what I like. I had not considered Naim or Aavik but will look into them.
 
Aren’t the Luxman and Naim units analog only?

The Exasound Playpoint DM is also very good, but you’d still need to add an amp.

Good luck with the search.
 
You have to get the Naim Unity series I believe to get all the features looked for. I forgot the website but the Naim was #1 in Top 20 streamers according to them.

Not sure pricing or what you'd use for streaming but the Devialet would be a great option. I heard a room using them to drive a set of Magico and it sounded great. They weren't even using the Devialet speaker software.

Linn was also on the Top 20 list, not sure the position, given high points for sound quality.
 
small foot print.. cool running.. serious horsepower...

PS Audio Stellar M1200 with GainCell DAC/Preamplifier... :)
 
VT Skier said:
Aren’t the Luxman and Naim units analog only?

The Exasound Playpoint DM is also very good, but you’d still need to add an amp.

Good luck with the search.
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Right, that’s why they are not really near the top of my list although I do like the Luxman, if only it had a digital/streaming module built in and came in black :)

I guess what I’m looking for is a high power all in one unit, >400W into 4 ohm, that runs cool and preferably comes in black. I’m interested in digital only, Roon ready. I guess Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 meets these criteria, I wonder how that would compare with NAD M33. Any others? Anything in the higher price range?
 
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