Pairing older NAD power amp with newer preamp

Given your budget, I think you would be much happier with a passive preamp.

Thank you.Any recommendations?

It appears that the C316BEE integrated amplifier does not provide pre-out jacks, so it could not be used in conjunction with the 214. With the C326BEE, which is also an integrated amplifier but does provide pre-outs, you would be paying for a power amplifier section that you would not be using, so that doesn't seem like a good choice either.

I have no specific knowledge of the C165BEE preamp, but after looking at the documentation on it I'd expect it to be a reasonable match.

If you don't need a phono stage in the preamp, however, in addition to considering passive preamps (which can work well but for good sonics require short lengths of low capacitance interconnect cables), you may want to consider the tube-based Antique Sound Lab Line Two DT.

Some years ago I temporarily used its predecessor model, the Line One, while my much more expensive preamp was down, and based on that experience I suspect it would give you better sonics than most solid state components at or close to its price range. Also, you would be able to tailor the sound by substituting tubes of various makes and vintages for its one tube (a 12AU7). My one slight concern, though, would be that if any of your sources have particularly high output levels (upwards of 2 volts or so), its apparently high gain might limit you to using the volume control in the lower part of its range, especially if your speakers have high sensitivity. That is true of a lot of preamps these days, though, when used with digital sources.

Regards,
-- Al

Thank you. I like the idea of a passive preamp and I admit I have only recently become aware of that option. The interconnects I purchased should arrive at my front this afternoon and they are low capacitance LC-1's from Blue Jeans Cable.

My speakers are 4 ohm, 88db, so not real sensitive. I'm not certain about the output voltages of my sources. I'll need to research that. My TT is a Pro-Ject Expression III with Oyster cart and NAD PP 2i phono preamp and the speakers are Polk Audio LSi 15's. CD/DVD player is a Sony DVP-NC685V. I'm using the Pre-amp section of a NAD L40. So as you can see, a very modest, yet nice sounding system. Most, excepting the TT, was purchased between 1998 and 2003. Though the NAD L40 does a respectable job, I'm sure I am missing a lot of potential.

Thanks so much for the advice. I'll put a lot more effort into researching the passive route.

I have the $49 Schiit Sys passive pre between my dac and an NAD 214. For the price you can't beat it.