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NAD C355BEE Owners - Advice Needed

One of my friend who purchased a used unit few months ago noticed from the user manual that there are links provided together with the amp that shall be connected between the Main-in and Pre-out sockets in normal use. The links were not found in the box when he got the amp.

The question is do the links really need to be connected between these sockets at all times even when they are not in use? How do these links look like? Are these a metal connector or a piece of short wire?

For users of the C355BEE, the user manual page 8 item no. 12(Pre-Out 2) and item no. 13(Main In) states "In normal use, these should be connected to the Main-In sockets/Pre Out 2 Sockets WITH THE LINKS SUPPLIED".

I have sent an email enquiry to NAD but have not got any response from them. Personally I reckon there wouldn't be any issue without the links but just wanted to be sure. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
ryder
10 responses Add your response
darkkeys
99 posts
 
I have a NAD C372. You need the links or you will hear no sound because the links connect the preamp and power amp sections. You can use interconnets/jumpers in place of the links. Preferably short interconnects.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
My brother has NAD and uses Audioquest Python jumpers (around $40 pair) instead of links - better sound. Check Audioquest website. Any audio store that sells Audioquest can make jumpers for you but they will be soldered not welded like original ones.
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knownothing
1,574 posts
 
Here are some options:

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/5274

http://cgi.ebay.com/Audiophile-Grade-Pre-amp-Jumpers-with-Cardas-GRCM-6_W0QQitemZ380024586299QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL080505199a8044

http://www.needledoctor.com/Audioquest-Preamp-Jumper-Cables

I am personally not crazy about the Audio quest jumpers, but they are better than stock metal bars.
drdennis
165 posts
 
Cardas jumpers may sound better. Music Direct sells Cardas and Audioquest. You could try both, and return one.
ryder OP
1,689 posts
 
Thanks for all responses. I didn't know the jumpers/links need to be in place in order for the amp to work. I need to find out why my friend said there isn't any jumpers provided with the amp since he was listening to it driving the B&W 684 for the past 2 months or so. Thanks for all valuable feedbacks.
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knownothing
1,574 posts
 
The NAD "jumpers" look like a little plastic bar or plate on the back of the amp. Pretty nondescript, don't look at all like wires. Maybe they were confused.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,981 posts
 
Here is a picture of what they look like on the C355BEE:

http://nadelectronics.com/image.php?x=154
ryder OP
1,689 posts
 
Thanks. That is one clear picture of the C355BEE's rear panel. I need to get back to my friend.
jay_w
7 posts
 
It's likely that the previous owner was using the NAD as a preamp or a power amp along with another component or used the outs to wire a sub woofer. One would have to remove these links in order to take advantage of this great feature the NAD offers. If you are using the unit as an integrated amp you do need these links. I am surprised NAD does not offer replacements at a reasonable price! The other links perviously mentioned all will work well but are a little costly.
hieule5
115 posts
 
That's the down side of buying used gears.

You think you got the savings with used gears but then again it depends.

Most sellers here are honest and quite courteous but some apparently are not that nice or sometimes are too lazy to find things for you.

Agreed with Knownothing, Audioquest is noticeably better than the factory cheap metal bars. But there are other places that you can order the pre-amp jumper cables like the places mentioned by Knownothing and Dr.Dennis

Dr.Dennis had a good idea. Why don't you order both brands online? Keep the pair that sounds better to your ears and return the other pair.

I paid $50 plus tax for a pair of Audioquest Copperhead about a month ago for my NAD C326BEE at a local B&W dealer.

Don't pay more than $60 for a pair of pre-amp jumper cables.

Online purchase may save you some $$$ in this crazy economy time.
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