New Series 200

If you are looking for a Purifi based Amp, there is absolutely no point paying premium price, specially > $5000. They ALL use exactly the same Amp module and SMPS power supply. Some uses a different input section with different discrete opamps and that makes a significant difference in how it sounds.

Some excellent and cheaper alternatives:

Apollon Purifi 1ET400A Monoblock Amplifier | Hypex Based Class D Digital Handbuilt Amplifiers Only Using Highest Quality Material
VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier | VTV Amplifier
 
Devg said:
If you are looking for a Purifi based Amp, there is absolutely no point paying premium price, specially > $5000. They ALL use exactly the same Amp module and SMPS power supply.
Click to expand...
With all due respect this doesn't seem to be true when it comes to NAD's use of the Purifi amplifier technology, described as follows on the NAD M33 amp detail page:

NAD's UNIQUE IMPLEMENTATION

NAD’s renowned designers worked closely with Purifi Audio to customise the Eigentakt implementation to ensure every product featuring the technology would meet the high standards NAD is known for. For this reason, NAD manufactures its own Eigentakt modules rather than buy off-the-shelf.
 
The A 200 amplifier will be priced near the AMP 8. Should be in mid-$4000's.

Yea, NAD is definitely not just slapping the Purifier module in and saying there you go. They are designing a whole amplifier around it.
 
audio.bill said:
With all due respect this doesn't seem to be true when it comes to NAD's use of the Purifi amplifier technology, described as follows on the NAD M33 amp detail page:

NAD's UNIQUE IMPLEMENTATION

NAD’s renowned designers worked closely with Purifi Audio to customise the Eigentakt implementation to ensure every product featuring the technology would meet the high standards NAD is known for. For this reason, NAD manufactures its own Eigentakt modules rather than buy off-the-shelf.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. Thanks for the info. Though there is always a chance of improvement in any design, it makes me wonder what else NAD improved over the already top class spec and measurements on the Amp module. Its possible that they are indeed talking about the input module, just speculating ? Or maybe they are trying to give a NAD house sound to it since the amp is as transparent as it can get. Nevertheless, my guess is it will be very hard to differentiate the sound across manufacturers if they are using the stock input but with their own custom input is where manufacturers can. A while back I read someone designed a tube input stage for the Purifi.
 
Devg said:
If you are looking for a Purifi based Amp, there is absolutely no point paying premium price, specially > $5000. They ALL use exactly the same Amp module and SMPS power supply. Some uses a different input section with different discrete opamps and that makes a significant difference in how it sounds.

Some excellent and cheaper alternatives:

Apollon Purifi 1ET400A Monoblock Amplifier | Hypex Based Class D Digital Handbuilt Amplifiers Only Using Highest Quality Material
VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier | VTV Amplifier
Click to expand...

As Audio Bill points out, not all Purifi modules are identical - certainly not the version used in the NAD. The brands you mention buy basic modules off the shelf and add cases, input sockets and selectors, etc to sell them at the low price they do. NAD does not buy the OEM modules, but build under licence with Purifi-approved tuning to maximise performance. It could be (though I don't know) they use superior PCBs, etc to achieve this. The NAD C298 power amp is £1700 list price and the T&A should be similarly priced, though I doubt they'll match the value that NAD offers. If you value used prices, go for a well respected brand such as NAD. For the $5000 you mention, you could get the incredible value NAD M33.
 
I found the price listed in Euro's. I have not seen is in USD yet. But doing a quick conversion it equaled out to $4450 or something like that. That is the only basis for my price assumption :).
 
Randy Myers said:
I found the price listed in Euro's. I have not seen is in USD yet. But doing a quick conversion it equaled out to $4450 or something like that. That is the only basis for my price assumption :).
Click to expand...

Well I'm going on what my dealer told me, $4900 for the amp, and $6900 for the DAC. OF course that is 'dealer'
 
Yea, we are all speculating until they actually officially release the new line. Honestly, I would think the T+A would be absolute top notch, but I also would believe that they and NAD are the two doing it "better" so to speak. However the real question, and I think I have already answered this with my choice of purchase, is why would the T+A be worth 2 1/2 times more than the NAD?

Comparing features... the T+A has two sets of speaker outputs while the NAD has only one... they both have a set of outputs in order to daisy chain an additional amplifier (T+A is XLR while the NAD is RCA). So far the T+A has a couple small but arguably nice advantages.

The NAD has a variable gain function which is a very nice additional allowing the amplifier to match up with a wider range of other equipment. The NAD also has auto-sensing functions with adjustment sensitivity ranges. Some use in various applications. The single biggest difference however is that the NAD has a switchable bridge mode allowing for adding a second unit and running them in mono.

I would say that both companies have a long term reputation of building at a high level. NAD actually backs their units with a longer warranty. Therefore I would say that they are comparable. I would give T+A a slight positive for their reputation of ultra high level design, performance, and build quality. NAD certainly has gained a high level reputation in their 49+ years also.

Therefore I again put forth the proposition, how can T+A justify 2 1/2 times the price to the NAD product line?
a_200_slider_a_200_back-scaled-scaled.jpgNAD_C_298_Pre-Production_Rear__19728.1614979264.jpg

Specifications from manufactures:
T+A A200
125 WPC @ 8 Ohms
250 WPC @ 4 Ohms
Signal to Noise ratio 113 dB
THD 0.002%

NAD C298
185 WPC @ 8 Ohms
340 WPC @ 4 Ohms
620 W @ 8 Ohms (bridged mode)
Signal to Noise ratio 120 dB
THD 0.005%
 
Randy Myers said:
Yea, we are all speculating until they actually officially release the new line. Honestly, I would think the T+A would be absolute top notch, but I also would believe that they and NAD are the two doing it "better" so to speak. However the real question, and I think I have already answered this with my choice of purchase, is why would the T+A be worth 2 1/2 times more than the NAD?

Comparing features... the T+A has two sets of speaker outputs while the NAD has only one... they both have a set of outputs in order to daisy chain an additional amplifier (T+A is XLR while the NAD is RCA). So far the T+A has a couple small but arguably nice advantages.

The NAD has a variable gain function which is a very nice additional allowing the amplifier to match up with a wider range of other equipment. The NAD also has auto-sensing functions with adjustment sensitivity ranges. Some use in various applications. The single biggest difference however is that the NAD has a switchable bridge mode allowing for adding a second unit and running them in mono.

I would say that both companies have a long term reputation of building at a high level. NAD actually backs their units with a longer warranty. Therefore I would say that they are comparable. I would give T+A a slight positive for their reputation of ultra high level design, performance, and build quality. NAD certainly has gained a high level reputation in their 49+ years also.

Therefore I again put forth the proposition, how can T+A justify 2 1/2 times the price to the NAD product line?
View attachment 30393View attachment 30394

Specifications from manufactures:
T+A A200
125 WPC @ 8 Ohms
250 WPC @ 4 Ohms
Signal to Noise ratio 113 dB
THD 0.002%

NAD C298
185 WPC @ 8 Ohms
340 WPC @ 4 Ohms
620 W @ 8 Ohms (bridged mode)
Signal to Noise ratio 120 dB
THD 0.005%
Click to expand...



Interesting
 
CPP said:
Interesting
Click to expand...

Another interesting thing:

NAD Electronics’ C 298 Power Amplifier Awarded Top Honour by EISA - NAD Electronics

Again, I would love the T+A because, well, it is T+A... but $2000 to $5000... again they appear to be pricing themselves out of the market :(. Just when they were starting to gain some good vibes in the US markets and magazines.

There is no way in hell I would consider getting ride of my DAC 8 DSD for a DAC 200. I'm sorry, but adding a single SE analog input and a big volume control on the front does not a pre-amp make :(. And... it is actually less functional then even the DAC 8 DSD as a pre-amp because the outputs are either or, not both. So my DAC 8 DSD would be able to power an amplifier and also power subwoofers... the DAC 200 cannot... what the hell are they thinking?

Oh, also, the MP 200 still does not play SACDs... what the crap T+A?
 
Randy Myers said:
Another interesting thing:

NAD Electronics’ C 298 Power Amplifier Awarded Top Honour by EISA - NAD Electronics

Again, I would love the T+A because, well, it is T+A... but $2000 to $5000... again they appear to be pricing themselves out of the market :(. Just when they were starting to gain some good vibes in the US markets and magazines.

There is no way in hell I would consider getting ride of my DAC 8 DSD for a DAC 200. I'm sorry, but adding a single SE analog input and a big volume control on the front does not a pre-amp make :(. And... it is actually less functional then even the DAC 8 DSD as a pre-amp because the outputs are either or, not both. So my DAC 8 DSD would be able to power an amplifier and also power subwoofers... the DAC 200 cannot... what the hell are they thinking?

Oh, also, the MP 200 still does not play SACDs... what the crap T+A?
Click to expand...

Keep what you have Randy.
 
Hear Here said:
By that do you just mean it LOOKS nice? I don't think anyone outside T&A can yet say whether it SOUNDS nice!
Click to expand...

I have no doubt it will be an excellent amplifier. T+A always makes top notch gear that is deserving of their name. On the other hand, my biggest beef with this new series is I believe they are using the new line to raise prices and it is another example of them pricing themselves out of the market.

Example:
DAC 8 DSD $4500 - DAC 200 $6900
AMP 8 $3500 - A 200 $4900

Yes, in both cases some feature differences, but also in both cases it could be argued that in some ways they may not actually be improvements.
 
Every company tries to find a niche. For profit companies that is. Basic sales and marketing. Including sale territories (I.e US vs. Europe). And pricing for each territory. Whether that strategy is successful, only market can tell. Supply and demand. Value per currency unit spent. I am in the US, and I own the PA 3100 HV integrated amp for almost two years now. It’s an amazing piece of equipment, and it is not being replaced until it breaks down
 
Several people on this forum own various pieces of T+A. I do not believe performance and quality have ever been an issue. I would also believe that I am not alone in feeling that there is nothing at this point that would get my T+A out of my system.

The real issue in the US is that for the most part T+A is an unknown commodity. There have recently been several articles and excellent reviews on their pieces and just when they appear to be on the cusp of becoming a highly regard brand on this side of the pond they start raising their prices. In many situations beyond a point of competitiveness. The 200 series looks pretty nice, but priced to a point that there is no justification for current customers or compared to the competition :(. Too bad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top