Nord has about 180 hours. Big change took place after 70-80 hours, then evolution. Well, the reviews are not exaggerated, it is a great device.
Raw, the differences to the W5 seemed insignificant, with a slight indication of Nord in many respects and a few in which the W5 has been beter. Over time, as it got warmer and civilized more, the advantage increased. The Nord is very clear, thanks to which you can clearly hear more nuances that are already merging in the W5. As a result, Nord gives more details in the medium and low frequency range. The sound is very precise, the edges are clearer and rhythm and dynamics gain. Initially, in this range it was a bit too hard, a bit too strong edges, but after about 70-80h it gave way, refined and it was already done. The biggest positive differences for Nord are in the midrange, which is a little richer in it, the smallest on bass , in which respect the W5 defends the most, but Nord is certainly the winner here. The bass is mega controlled, has a bit more mass and stronger impact.
The W5 has a nicer treble for the moment - it is clearer, more lively, there is more air there and I have the impression that a little more is going on there than with Nord. W5 also builds a better 3D scene. In Nord imaging of space is ok, but W5 more spectacular - tangible. About top end, I still have to wait until Nord make 500-600h because as many of you say that after this time there is a clear improvement in sound, mainly the midrange and top range. We'll see how it will be.
The W5 plays lighter in the whole band, while the Nord has more meat in the whole range, the difference is not big, but clear and more suits me in this aspect.
In terms of consistency / fluidity, the sound was initially better with the W5, but as the Nord has been warming up, the difference has been blurring, there is not difference in this matter now, but Nord still will not reach its full potential, and this aspect should also be further improved.
Overall, in my current system, after these 180hours Nord gives better, more resolved, richer in microinformation, more massive sound. As musical as it was with the W5, but with less tangible and less extensive space (which is a bit sorry). Nord does not sound as easy (at ease / cool and smooth) as expensive devices can be, such as D'Agostino Clasic or McIntosh 611/601/501, but it costs a fraction of the price of these amplifiers (and about 2 times less than the W5). The version with Sparkos in my system does not sound technical / digital. With character very similar to W5 but better in many aspects. Nord is also sensitive to the type of power cord. I connected MIT Oracle ZCord III, Audioquest Hurricane, Enerr Trascenda Ulitamte. The sound of the system changed with each of them. Enerr gave the most detail in the middle, the meat in the whole band and smoothness and gentleness, but for me it took too much air and had less extension down and softened the bass a little too much. Audioquest gave back the air and improved the bass, but it has a slightly smaller mass and a bit harder whole band (stronger edges in relation to Enerr). For now, I play Enerr on preamp, Audioquest on the power (Nord), MIT on the strip (to which CD and pre are plugged in). Maybe I will change AQ and Enerr places again, maybe not, it depends on how the sound develops as the Nord warms up and how I listen to myself (CD connected to the MIT Oracle AC2 bar).
After this time, which I play, I can say that almost everyone who is looking for a power amplifier at a price of 2,500-3,500 US $ should listen to a Nord, because at this price they can get something that gives way only to many times more expensive devices. I write almost everyone, because for people looking for a juicy, warm amplifier with a diameter in the foreground - I mean the sound of the tube Pathos Logos or Classic, or what the pre Cary Audio SLP 98 does with sound is not the right direction. But already for people who like the sound of the Pass 150/250/350 ..., McIntosh like 7000/8000/9000 series ..., Accuphase from the AB class, and the budget of these devices currently exceeds the capabilities of the wallet, it is a great alternative. It is quite shocking how the D class currently sounds on N-cors at least in Nord's edition.
