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Current NAD integrated amps, what are your impressions?

I just picked up a C326BEE and wanted to hear if my results are common, or what the general consensus is for NAD. I did some searching on this forum, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of love or threads directed at NAD.

I actually acquired a C372 about 3 years ago, but sold it within a year as it seemed pretty bland and laid back. I’ve heard that this vintage wasn’t as reliable and my remote control did die. When I shipped it to the buyer it showed up DOA in one channel! I helped him with the repairs but it left me with reservations regarding NAD. From what I can gather, the current models are much more reliable.

So Spearit sound is clearing out refurbished NAD components, and I couldn’t resist the price(no affiliation). Bottom line, the 326 sounds way better than I expected. I’d been using a Denon AVR3801 in 2 channel with a second system, and the imaging, clarity and punch is easily better with the 326. I’m driving Tannoy DC4 bookshelf speakers and what a soundstage!. Diana Krall tracks are recorded with the piano mic’d so the lower register starts in the left speaker and the highest notes in the right. I’d not heard that with the Denon, but the 326 sets it out so clearly.

So what has your experience been with NAD?
213runnin
213runnin OP
914 posts
 
That reminds me, during the above experiment I had a pair of interconnects on the pre out/main in and they weren't shielded.   I was getting interference for 1 second upon start up, then quiet.  I couldn't figure it out immediately, and it made me nervous!

Finally I swapped out those IC's with some others that were shielded, and no more noise. It made me realize that everything does matter.
catcher10's avatar
catcher10
77 posts
 
I have had a C356BEE for several years now, it gets almost daily use and on weekends easily get 20 hours a weekend.
Only issue was one of the led lights went out...during warranty period so no cost to fix.
I have dabbled into looking at a more "expensive " int amp....so far have not found one that i think bests the sound in the 1500 range. Maybe at 2500 but will the improvement be worth another 1700 over the price of the NAD..?
mesch
3,524 posts
 
I believe the 326BEE is best suited for speakers that are 87dB sensitive and nominal 8 ohm, possibly dropping not much below 4 at some point in frequency range (few 8 ohm nominal speakers truly are) . A nominal 4 ohm load at 87dB sensitivity is probably not  too difficult a load.  
mesch
3,524 posts
 
Forgot to add, with 87dB sensitivity, 8 ohm nominal 12 o,clock the amp is maxed out, playing louder than I need. If running like that I would want more power. 
213runnin OP
914 posts
 
I think I concur on the 326BEE and speaker loads because its max power consumption is under 2 amps.  It does just fine with the Tannoy or Paradigm bookshelf speakers, but has its limits with the 4 ohm Totems.  BTW, I replaced the stock preamp jumpers with the Audioquest ones.  I noticed a somewhat brighter, more open sound, making the Nad more neutral as opposed to warm sounding.  Definitely a nice addition.

I've been eyeing the C356BEE myself.  I don't really need it and would sell the 326 to upgrade, but the extra power and module port plus A/B speaker connections has me wondering.  One way to get an upgrade on the 356 would be a refurbished C375BEE at spearitsound.com for around 1100.  Not bad for 150 wpc.
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