Network Audio Players/Servers

NAD already has a deal of experience implementing Hypex's Class D nCore amplifier modules, so the M10 has more in common with the M22 [HFN Apr '15] than the 'Direct Digital' M32 [HFN Jul '18]. Rated at '100W into 8/4ohms', in practice the M10 delivers a remarkably 'stiff' 2x100W/8ohm and 2x200W/

4ohm, the comprehensively-regulated switchmode PSU actually restricting any headroom under dynamic conditions to 99W, 196W, 257W and 178W into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm [see Graph 1, below]. All digital and analogue inputs are managed in the digital domain and finally passed to the nCore amps after D/A conversion at 48kHz/24-bit, so the response of the power amp is limited to –0.9dB/20kHz regardless of the incoming sample rate. The preamp outs, however, reach up to –0.1dB/20kHz, +0.1dB/

45kHz and +0.3dB/90kHz with 48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz digital inputs. Jitter is very low too – less than 30psec at 48kHz/24-bit via S/PDIF or USB and typically ~10psec at higher sample rates.

The S/N is superior, relatively speaking, via the pre than the power amp outputs (the latter at 82.5dB re. 0dBW is a little below average) but distortion is impressively contained via the nCore amps. In practice these modules hold to within 0.006% over the top 1-80W of their dynamic range from 20Hz-6kHz (increasing to 0.07%/20kHz). Via digital in/pre out, distortion is as low as 0.00035% through bass and mid over the top 10dB of its dynamic range [black trace, Graph 2 below] but is uniformly higher at 20kHz over the top 30dB of its range [blue trace]. Incidentally, users should take care if employing the M10 solely as a preamp – however unlikely – because the nCore modules remain powered-up throughout. PM