…. Of all the class D amps I investigated so far—in the listening chair, not on the scope—Naiu’s Ella came closest to abolishing apartheid of amplifier class distinctions. Whilst beliefs and allegiance to traditions might wish otherwise, this was one class D implementation not overshadowed by documented class A strengths. Already visually and on weight, Ella diverged from the typical class D concept of small, lightweight cool chassis. Sonics followed suit into darker, heavier, chunkier terrain. What remained recognizable from previous class D excursion was a love and traction of the small detail. That this managed to coexist side by side with such saturated colours, developed tonal heft and image mass became Mircea Naiu’s special Ella achievement. Most class D is known for bass which is of unusual control and reach. It explains near breed ubiquity as subwoofer plate amps. Here Ella conformed on quantity but refined the artifice of excessive dryness and wiriness with more natural plumpness without giving up control. What this amp got from our petite floorstanders in this department was shocking but most welcome.
