Paradigm Monitor 5v2 - Studio 40 v3 - worth it?

At one point I upgraded from Monitor 7's to Studio 60's. It was a certainly a worthwhile and significant upgrade. If you have the funds, go for it.

Great, for great response, I am going to demo the studio 40s shortly at my local dealer, I am still wondering about amplification, would the NAD C352 (80w per/ch) be enough? Or should I go with a pre amp + power amp combo? Only going to be using this for 2 ch music.

I made the move from the Monitors to the Studio series several years ago. I recently demo'd my v.1 Studio 60s versus the newer v.3 series. What a difference. Definitely go for the Studio v.3's.

I have driven the Studio 60's with an 85 watt Parasound amp and they sounded great. I think the NAD amp you are considering is an excellent product and you would have an awesome system. Now just add the Cambridge Azur 640C cd player and you have it made.

Good Luck

I have Monitor 5v4's and used to have Studio 40v1's. The Monitor 5v4 is nearly (but not quite) as good as my old Studio 40's. But I have recently auditioned the Studio 40v3 vs the Monitor 5v4 and the difference is significant. The Studio 40 is not worth twice the price but such is the life in audio, we frequently pay twice the price for incremental improvements. The new Studio 40 is considerably better than my old Studio 40's. If I had the money however I would not buy them. I love my Monitor 5's and when (yes I am an audiophile I do mean when not if)I replace them I will move past the Studio 40's straight up to ProAc. I might add that the Paradigm Signature series is simply stunning. I heard the S2 with good electronics and the sound was incredible.

I currently have the Studio 40 v.3. They sound very good for their price. As regards to the 80 wpc NAD amp you mentioned- that should work well. I was using a NAD 7174PE receiver (75 wpc) when I first got the 40's. My room size is about 14x 18. It was plenty of amplication. I since have moved the NAD to the basement with a pair of smaller Monitor Audio's and currently use a Musical Fidelity a3.2 integrated with the 40's.
A few months ago I auditioned a pair of Paradigm's Signature series S4. They sound much better but are too costly for me at this time. I do not know what your price cap is. They are worth a listen.