I spent half a day comparing the R-N1000A and the R-N2000A using a pair of Arendal 1528 Bookshelf 8 speakers. While I level-matched the units, the comparison was not instantaneous—I know the skeptics will crucify me for this. However, there are notable audible differences between the two units, especially regarding the noise floor. To my surprise, I expected both units to sound identical, but they didn’t.
The R-N1000A had no trouble driving those power-hungry Arendals, which I was pleased to see. That said, the bass response between the two units is noticeably different, and I’ll expand on this in my updated review.
I am sure some are, but me, I am not a skeptic at all when it comes to noise floor, and audible difference when relatively hard to drive speakers are used with amps not truly rated for less than 200 W into 4 ohms.
The R-N2000A appears to have a much stronger power supply, and the DAC IC's used is the ES9026Pro that has significantly better SINAD than the N1000A, though I believe that alone cannot explain the "notable" differences heard. Noise is much easier to hear, I know I could pick that up very easily, for example I had units such as the Marantz AV8801, AV7005, AVR-4308CI (better) that gave me audible hiss at volume >around -10 whereas my Denon AVR-X4400H, Anthem AVM70 did not have such hiss even at volume 0. You have much more knowledge and experience than me on such topics, so I am just stating the obvious.
My first question is, has James or yourself measured those speakers yet? If so, I assume you will include the curves in the follow up review.
As to sound signature, yes I am always skeptical if the reviewers did not detail their AB comparison methods such as SBT, DBT, sighted but everything matched, and were the devices driven to well below, such as not more than 1/3 of their rated output levels. Anyway, I can't wait for expanded review, for now you have only mentioned the bass response differences.
On the amp "power" vs speaker demand side, I think it is important to not drive the DUTs pass their 1/3 or less rated limit because depending on the contents there may be very high peaks, and the speakers may have impedance dips below 4 or even 3 ohms at frequencies affected, based on the contents used.
In terms of specs, I just noticed that those flagship class bookshelf speakers use 8" bass drivers and the recommended amp power is "up to 500W"! That, combined with 84 dB/2.83V/m sensitivity, the notable differences in bass responses might not be difficult to explain especially if you have the impedance/phase angle curves.
Any such explanation could, and I would say should, be tested/verified by using contents that are less challenging in the bass responses, such as simply Diana Krall jazz etc and see if the differences would more or less disappear lol...
