As an owner of both AND a former Authorized Service Provider of both brands I can comment on both sound and quality of build.
In my opinion, if both amps are properly biased and kept that way (the cheap-o bias pots of both brands WILL DRIFT, and must be checked every year or two), the ARCAM will not only last longer, but bring you just a smidge or two closer to the high end. I was always impressed by the build quality of ARCAM Integrated amps and CD/DVD players, just NOT impressed by either brand's HT receivers up to 5 years ago, from where I don't have further exposure.
That said, BOTH brands are committed to great sound, and since the equivalent NAD will be of cheaper cost, then perhaps one could claim the NAD to be the better value, DOLLAR WISE.
I have owned products from both brands but neither of the units of which the OP writes about. A relative still owns the NAD 3140 I bought at the PX in Guam in 1984, and I refuse to get rid of my ARCAM DV-88+ that I play exclusively CD's and HDCD's on, and LOVE the sound of. (I also was the US service center for dCS and Nagra, and never felt my measly DV-88 was terribly embarrassed by comparison to either IN MY SYSTEM).
In my opinion, if both amps are properly biased and kept that way (the cheap-o bias pots of both brands WILL DRIFT, and must be checked every year or two), the ARCAM will not only last longer, but bring you just a smidge or two closer to the high end. I was always impressed by the build quality of ARCAM Integrated amps and CD/DVD players, just NOT impressed by either brand's HT receivers up to 5 years ago, from where I don't have further exposure.
That said, BOTH brands are committed to great sound, and since the equivalent NAD will be of cheaper cost, then perhaps one could claim the NAD to be the better value, DOLLAR WISE.
I have owned products from both brands but neither of the units of which the OP writes about. A relative still owns the NAD 3140 I bought at the PX in Guam in 1984, and I refuse to get rid of my ARCAM DV-88+ that I play exclusively CD's and HDCD's on, and LOVE the sound of. (I also was the US service center for dCS and Nagra, and never felt my measly DV-88 was terribly embarrassed by comparison to either IN MY SYSTEM).