Receiver

I can relate growing up in MN. So far, I can't find out if your NAD's have active preamps. Your hk3470 has pre out which means it has an active preamp. Generally receivers and integrateds have passive preamps which causes them to sound somewhat dull compared to power amps and preamps for example. Assume that your NAD does have a passive pre--if I find out, I'll let you know. Then you are comparing it to a receiver with less dynamic power but with an active pre.

In addition, the early 80's are close to shutdown, by which I mean that the capacitors are probably leaking and drying out and therefore the dynamic power that the NAD's once had will be diminished.

Just to help you understand what you are hearing when you compare. Have fun. Lynne

You said you have two NAD receivers,I don't understand why you just don't swap the receivers and see which one you like better! Am I missing something about your question?

The NADs mentioned do have pre-out jacks, so they should have active preamps (they were designed so you could upgrade your amplifier to one of NAD's amplifiers, like the 2200 I used. I owned a 7240, and it was a very nice receiver. Much more dynamic than its 40 watt rating would lead you to believe; same with the 7175's 75 watts. Lynne's caution about the caps in the receiver is a good one as well. Ultimately, I'd suggest, as Yogiboy and others have, that you try it in your system. But give it a bit of time, at least a couple of days, to warm up and break back in.

Thanks to all. I guess, ultimately, my concern was whether or not the NAD would the power to drive my speakers since HK has a higher WPC. I also have a mint NAD 7240 pe I bought decades ago, pre children.

I'll have to take an afternoon hook up the various receivers and listen.
Good advise on the capacitors, I wouldn't have thought of that. My greatest concern had been power to "open up" my speakers.

Thanks. rh

I would sell all three, then many good options depending on budget. The older gear loses much as the caps dry out and other parts wear out.