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Question about NAD 320BEE

I am currently helping a friend put together a budget two-channel audio system, and I have been intending to build the system around an NAD 320BEE amplifier. My friend threw a curveball at me today when she told me that she wants the amplifier to be capable of driving a separate, alternative set of speakers in another part of her house away from the listening room (actually outside the house on her deck) when she is entertaining outside.

Can one of you guys with an NAD 320BEE integrated amp tell me whether there are two sets of speaker outputs on the amplifier? If not, does anyone have any creative ideas about how to elegantly accommodate this request (other than the obvious possibility of just changing the speaker cable connections on the back of the amp whenever she wants to switch between the two pairs of speakers)?

Thanks for your help.
cincy_bob
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,773 posts
 
Bob:

There is a middle ground ... the NAD C720BEE , the receiver version of the C320BEE. Price wise it's about mid way between the 320 & 372 and she gets a great tuner out of the deal.

Regards, Rich
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Yes, you could use the tape output the way you propose, with a long interconnect. Make sure he gets a well-shielded one.

Hmm... if your pal is bent on using NAD for the sake of the deal he can get, what will he use for the remote amp? Another 320BEE? In that case, he might have the bucks to buy a C372.
matt39
19 posts
 
The Denon DRA-395 and DRA-685 receivers have built in multi-zone features. The 685 includes a second remote for use in the other room. Both receivers have A and B speaker terminals while the remote in combination with a room sensor can operate the receiver at a distance. You can actually listen to more than one source at a time, i.e. a cdp in the main listening area and a tuner out on the deck. I'm not absolutely sure but I think the Rotel RX-1052 has a similar capability but you may have to purchase additional amps to make it work. The new Cambridge Audio integrateds are also set up for multi-zone use with A and B speaker terminals. I agree with Pabelson that the Denon and Yamaha receivers can hold their own with the NAD (at least with the C320 and C350 which I compared them to when I purchased my last receiver) and the Cambridge amps are equal to or better than the NAD. The Outlaw receiver could also be a solution but, right now, the other units mentioned are more readily available. Good luck.
Gary
pabelson
344 posts
 
It's a bit of a kludge, but you could use the tape out, or split the pre-out. (I presume NAD integrateds still have external couplers). But then you'll need another power amp, Can she really buy the 320BEE plus a second power amp for less than $350? If not, the Denon DRA-395 that Matt mentioned is probably the right tool for the job.
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