About The NAD Masters M23 HybridDigital Stereo Power Amplifier
Building on NAD's long tradition of identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology, the M23 HybridDigital Stereo Power Amplifier features Purifi Audio's Eigentakt™ design, a once-in-a-decade innovation that virtually eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion. Noise is inaudible, for a completely black background and exquisite micro-detail.
Conservatively rated at 2 x 200 Watts continuous into 8 ohms and 2 x 380 Watts into 4 ohms, the M23 can deliver live performance levels through any loudspeaker. With its unique combination of features, performance, and value, the M23 represents the new benchmark for the stereo power amplifier.
Pure Power: The M23 employs Eigentakt™ class-D amplifier modules manufactured by NAD under license from Denmark's Purifi Audio. Purifi's load-invariant design provides wide, flat frequency response, even into challenging loudspeaker loads. Noise, harmonic distortion, and IM distortion are virtually unmeasurable at all frequencies and output levels. Another benefit of the Eigentakt™ design is extremely low output impedance and correspondingly high damping factor, for iron-clad control of the loudspeaker output. NAD combines the Eigentakt™ design with NAD's own sophisticated switched-mode power supply, which can provide additional reserves of current when needed. Amazingly powerful and transparent, the M23 can deliver 2 x 260W of peak power into 8 ohms and 2 x 520W into 4 ohms.
Uncompromised Performance: The ideal amplifier will achieve vanishingly low distortion, ultra-high damping factor, and rock-solid stability with any loudspeaker loud. There are many amplifiers that perform well in one or two of these areas, but fall short in others. Thanks to Purifi's highly efficient Eigentakt™ design and NAD's proven switch-mode power supplies, the M23 excels in all three areas – without the excess weight and cost of the old-fashioned linear power supplies and class-AB output stages used with traditional amplifiers. Eigentakt™ outperforms previous class-D implementations by a significant margin, delivering transparent, detailed sound with expansive soundstaging and holographic imaging, at all listening levels and with all types of program material – even during complex musical passages.
Flexible & Powerful: Equipped with single-ended RCA and balanced XLR auto-sensing inputs, three-position gain-control switch, and 12V trigger input, the NAD Masters M23 HybridDgital Stereo Power Amplifier can easily be integrated into a high-performance separates system. Two M23 amplifiers operating in bridged mode can be paired together, each delivering 700 Watts of continuous power into 8 ohms. The M23 amplifier can also be paired with NAD's award-winning Masters M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier. With the two Eigentakt™ amplifiers operating in bridged mode, the M33/M23 combination will deliver a staggeringly powerful 700Wpc continuous output.
Elegant & Practical: With its elegant all-alloy casework, the Masters M23 HybridDigital Stereo Power Amplifier is as pleasing to the eye as it is thrilling to the ears. The M23 has the same quality of construction for which NAD's Masters Series is renowned. Rigid panels and magnetic iso-point feet provide a rock-solid foundation for the M23's multi-layer circuit boards and intricate internal construction. Truly the M23 represents a new pinnacle in power amplifier design.
What Is Eigentakt?
Bruno Putzeys and his team at Purifi Audio have taken a fresh look at amplifier technology and through deep investigative research the team discovered the cause of the last remnants of distortion and noise. Combining already renowned self-oscillating Class D amplifier technology with novel feedback algorithms, Eigentakt nearly eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion and allows for an even, wide and load-invariant frequency response with negligible output impedance.
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.
Eigentakt is a once-in-a-decade amplifier innovation that will define the pinnacle of power and performance for years to come. It's not often that such novel audiophile technology is made available with so much value packed in.
Our Take On The NAD Masters M23
Class D has come a long way over the years, and it just took another large step forward with the NAD Masters M23. This is a formidable amplifier that will make NAD fans super happy and, with the latest Purifi Audio Eigentakt™ technology onboard, should get the Class D sceptics on side as well.
Interesting things seem to happen when people hear this amplifier – they marvel at the build quality, love the fact it runs cool and scratch their head trying to reconcile its slim profile with 200 watts per channel & 700 watts bridged. Then they take a listen and love the warm musicality combined with endless dynamics and bass depth and start to run out of excuses to not take one (or two) home to introduce to the rest of their system. Finally they find themselves reaching involuntarily for their wallet as they accept the inevitable and surrender to the charms of the NAD Masters M23.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Stereo HybridDigital 200 Watt Power Amplifier
- Innovative HybridDigital Purifi Audio Eigentakt™ technology offers benchmark Class D amplification
- Low Impedance Drive: 4-Ohm Stable for use with a wide range of speakers
- Stereo Power Output
- 2 x 200 Watts into 8 Ohms
- 2 x 380 Watts into 4 Ohms
- Bridged Power Output
- 1 x 700 Watts into 8 Ohms
- Dynamic Power
- Stereo: 260 Watts 8Ω
- Stereo: 520 Watts 4Ω
- Bridged: 1,017 Watts
- Peak Output Current: >25 A (in 1 ohm, 1 ms)
- Damping Factor: >800 (ref. 8 ohms, 20 Hz to 6.5 kHz)
- Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz (±3dB)
- Signal To Noise Ratio: 127 dB
- THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz): <0.00069% (XLR), <0.0013% (RCA)
- Connections
- 2 Balanced XLR Inputs
- 2 Single Ended RCA Preamp Inputs
- One Pair of Speaker Binding Post Outputs
- 12-Volt Trigger Input
- Three-Position Gain Switch On Back Panel (Low, Mid, High)
- Stereo Mode Gain: 19dB (low), 23.9dB (mid), 29.2 (high)
- Bridge Mode Gain: 25.1dB (low), 30dB (mid), 35.2 (high)
- Standby Mode engages after 30 minutes without input
- Detachable Power Cord: Upgrade to an IsoTek Sequel for improved performance
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 435 x 133 x 396mm
- Weight: 9.7kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 4 Years (+1 if registered)
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE