cambridge a3i or nad c-320bee

In the $400 USD price range for new equipment, I am a real fan of the NAD 320BEE. I have owned one now for 4 months and am very pleased with it. Clean, detailed, and clear sounding with useful, deep bass. I posted a review of the NAD in Agon. With the exception of some interconnect and speaker cable upgrades, my opinion is still the same.

Regards, Rich

I always hate when you ask for opinion on somthing and people tell you other brands to try. So I won't do that the NAD has more power and a smoother sound so it sorta depends on your speakers I love NAD stuff they are way underated I have a 40 per channel integrated that is way more ballsy then my 105 watt perchannel Marantz home theater reciver amp. I think your on the right track for best sound on a budget and I think the NAD would be better BUT I havn't heard that model of the Cambridge it might be just as food though I doubt it. NAD Rocks !!

I have actually owned both (I think an older C320?). Based on what I heard, not what I read in a magazine, I would take the Cambridge A3i.

The A3i was designed by Michael Creek (Creek Audio).
It also has a very good phono stage built in, so you can add a turntable. The only real difference between it and a Creek amplifier, is that it is made in Asia instead of the UK.

The NAD is a very nice amp as well, but it seemed slightly bland to me anyway. The bass seemed a little slower, which to some may make it sound warmer. But that kind of warmer came accross as bland for my taste anyway.

I would still own my A3i, except after I put it in my work office, I discovered I really needed a remote to control the volume and mute without leaving my desk. So I traded it for a Creek 4330R amplifier, which you may also want to consider if you can spare another $100+ on the used market.
They do sound about the same, the Cambridge actually has a little more power.

You really can't go wrong with an NAD either, so you will probably be happy with either.