NAD Power Envelope

[konajoe]

I have a 30ish year old NAD receiver that has a PE (power envelope) designation at the end of the model#. My understanding is that the amplifier design was based on having short term reserve power that would make it perform like an amp with a much higher continuous power rating. It could provide enough power for short term burst that were much higher than it's rating.

Did this system do a good job of providing the maximum quality watts per buck? Did that design philosophy catch on? Are any manufacturers using this approach today?

Thanks.

 

[crossedover]

I have a 30ish year old NAD receiver that has a PE (power envelope) designation at the end of the model#. My understanding is that the amplifier design was based on having short term reserve power that would make it perform like an amp with a much higher continuous power rating. It could provide enough power for short term burst that were much higher than it's rating.

Did this system do a good job of providing the maximum quality watts per buck? Did that design philosophy catch on? Are any manufacturers using this approach today?

Thanks.

Truly a poor design on there part and not indicative of a true PE design. IIRC the use of dual voltage rails caused many issues.

 

[ski2xblack]

Dual rail or variable rail types (class g/h) are used by NAD as well as other consumer and pro type amps. They run marginally more efficiently than A/B, but never really seemed to catch on heavily, and are presently obsolete in regards to efficiency given the rise of class d.