NAD Master Series M25 amp.

[pearsall001]

Looking for feedback on this NAD amp, I'm getting itchy to finally pull the trigger on a multi-channel amp & I like what I read about the M25. I've also been looking at B&K, Rotel, Anthem, Parasound, Sunfire & a couple of others. But I keep coming back to the NAD M25. I do like the NAD line so maybe I'm biased in my approach. Any feedback on the M25 or even on the others as a comparison would be welcomed. The M25 is rated at 160w per channel but NAD is ultra conservative in their power ratings. The other multi channel amps I was looking at are in the 200-250w per channel range. I really don't think there's much power difference between the different amps. The M25 is a hefty bugger with gorgeous eye candy to boot. Decisions, decisions!!!

 

[rurounitkenshin]

I can't comment personally on the NAD amp (reviews are great though), but have you looked at Emotiva yet? I have an XPA-5 and for $800, it's got a crazy amount of power reserve and doesn't seem to color the sound at all.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hmmm...

Sorry, I cannot give you direct feedback on it's performance.

But I do know it's a very nice looking amp, big (17.13" x 8.5" x 19.5"), very heavy (96.3 lbs), single ended, class AB amplifiers, THX Ultra2 certified, 7 channels, 215 watts per channel (8-ohm) and 230 watts per channel (4-ohm).
Oh, and it's listed at $2,999 usd. And it does have a remote trigger.

Hmmm... What else can you get for $3,000 with similar or more power output and the same number of channels? Oh, and that looks good too?
Three Emotiva XPA-2 ($799 each or $719 when on sale) will run you $2,397 usd, but you still short of one channel. What kind of Mono block amp can you get for $600?
The Emotiva XPA-1 won't do at $999 ($899 when on sale).

* If you got them all on sale, that will run you $3,056 (still $56 over).

What to do, what to do? Decisions, decisions!!!

 

[pearsall001]

I can't comment personally on the NAD amp (reviews are great though), but have you looked at Emotiva yet? I have an XPA-5 and for $800, it's got a crazy amount of power reserve and doesn't seem to color the sound at all.

The offerings from Emotiva & Outlaw are definetely on my list also. They both seem like great companies with a good product line that are priced very reasonably to boot.

 

[PENG]

The offerings from Emotiva & Outlaw are definetely on my list also. They both seem like great companies with a good product line that are priced very reasonably to boot.

The M25 has some nice specs and great look. The Outlaw 7700 or 7900 should offer more value/watts for the money but don't look as good. IMHO your receiver is 4 ohm capable and can handle the two rear surround speakers easily so the THX Ultra 2 certified Parasound Halo A51 or the 5250 could also be viable options.

 

[pearsall001]

The M25 has some nice specs and great look. The Outlaw 7700 or 7900 should offer more value/watts for the money but don't look as good. IMHO your receiver is 4 ohm capable and can handle the two rear surround speakers easily so the THX Ultra 2 certified Parasound Halo A51 or the 5250 could also be viable options.

Sound advice...thanks. I really only need a 5 channel amp, but the M25 is only available as a 7 channel amp. I don't know if down the road the 2 extra channels will come in handy or not. The way HT is progressing, 11.1 might be the norm a year or two from now. Sheesh!!! will it ever end?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Sound advice...thanks. I really only need a 5 channel amp, but the M25 is only available as a 7 channel amp. I don't know if down the road the 2 extra channels will come in handy or not. The way HT is progressing, 11.1 might be the norm a year or two from now. Sheesh!!! will it ever end?

1. Here you go. About the Emotiva XPA-5 for only $799 ($719 on sale), and with the money left over, just buy a bunch of good CD recordings and Blu-Ray discs.

2. Or, get two Emotiva XPA-2 and one XPA-1, for a grand total (on sale) of only $2,337 And later on, when you want to go the full 7.1-channel shawbang, just get an UPA-2, for only $299 ($269 on sale) to power the two rear surrounds. Grand total for 7 channel amplifiers = $2,606

3. Another option is to go with the Emotiva XPA-2 to power your two front mains, and an Emotiva XPA-5 to power the other five channels.
Grand total (at sale price) is now $1,438 Again you get the full 7 channel amplifiers.

*** And they all look good too, plus all the power you need, even into 4 ohms.

Note: Don't worry about 9 or 11 channels, they will never make recordings using that many channels. You'll be just fine with 7 channels for a very long time.

 

[pearsall001]

1. Here you go. About the Emotiva XPA-5 for only $799 ($719 on sale), and with the money left over, just buy a bunch of good CD recordings and Blu-Ray discs.

2. Or, get two Emotiva XPA-2 and one XPA-1, for a grand total (on sale) of only $2,337 And later on, when you want to go the full 7.1-channel shawbang, just get an UPA-2, for only $299 ($269 on sale) to power the two rear surrounds. Grand total for 7 channel amplifiers = $2,606

3. Another option is to go with the Emotiva XPA-2 to power your two front mains, and an Emotiva XPA-5 to power the other five channels.
Grand total (at sale price) is now $1,438 Again you get the full 7 channel amplifiers.

*** And they all look good too, plus all the power you need, even into 4 ohms.

Note: Don't worry about 9 or 11 channels, they will never make recordings using that many channels. You'll be just fine with 7 channels for a very long time.

Thanks for the input!! There certainly are a lot of different scenerios that I can pick and choose from. Now it's just a matter of making up my mind & pulling the trigger!

 

[bandphan]

Note: Don't worry about 9 or 11 channels, they will never make recordings using that many channels. You'll be just fine with 7 channels for a very long time.

Dont be so sure


For the OP, if I was going spend the change required to get the NAD, id look else where as it is to new for me, id want a year under it's belt. Your other options seem nice. I have always liked B&K gear and the Emotiva ive played with is nice also.
good luck on whatever you choose

 

[pearsall001]

Dont be so sure


For the OP, if I was going spend the change required to get the NAD, id look else where as it is to new for me, id want a year under it's belt. Your other options seem nice. I have always liked B&K gear and the Emotiva ive played with is nice also.
good luck on whatever you choose

The NAD M25 amp has been around for a few years now with nothing but stellar reviews. I think you're confusing NAD's new M2 digital amp that just hit the market. I do agree with you though with anything brand new...I'd rather wait until it is proven in the field. And you're right about B&K & Emo...excellent gear also!

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thanks for the input!! There certainly are a lot of different scenerios that I can pick and choose from. Now it's just a matter of making up my mind & pulling the trigger!

Lol, you got that one right; at the end, it is always about pulling the trigger, soon as the mind is set.

Dont be so sure

Good one bandphan, but I'll stick with my guns. From what I learn from the pros (sound mixers) in this department, that will be the day.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

But I do know it's a very nice looking amp, big (17.13" x 8.5" x 19.5"), very heavy (96.3 lbs), single ended, class AB amplifiers, THX Ultra2 certified, 7 channels, 215 watts per channel (8-ohm) and 230 watts per channel (4-ohm).
Oh, and it's listed at $2,999 usd.

Don't you mean 160-watts per channel x 7 ch and costs $3500?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAM25

If the OP already has other NAD products, then it makes sense to me to match them for aesthetic reasons.

And NAD is well-known for top-notch high-end products.

Their products not only sound great, look great, but they MEASURE absolutely GREAT in the lab!

 

[pearsall001]

Don't you mean 160-watts per channel x 7 ch and costs $3500?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAM25

If the OP already has other NAD products, then it makes sense to me to match them for aesthetic reasons.

And NAD is well-known for top-notch high-end products.

Their products not only sound great, look great, but they MEASURE absolutely GREAT in the lab!

I doubt I would buy new if I decide to go for the M25. I've seen them on 'agon for around $2100-$2400. Maybe even a lot less if a connection I have can come thru for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

 

[Lordoftherings]

^ Mine too are crossed for you. Let us know.

 

[3db]

I doubt I would buy new if I decide to go for the M25. I've seen them on 'agon for around $2100-$2400. Maybe even a lot less if a connection I have can come thru for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

We're all keeping our fingers crossed for you.