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What is the right choice?

So I am looking to upgrade from a NAD C356BEE integrated receiver to something that provides better sonic fidelity and a phono connection and onboard DAC. The budget/price point is around $1000 to $1600. So far two different sale people recommend the Yamaha s801. I have also listened to the NAD c368 and c388 with my speakers attached which I have brought to the local dealer for demo.

So I look for reviews and come across Sean from Zero Fidelity who provides an interesting approach for a technology review of audio gear. He conveys a comprehensive look at the technology piece inside and out and leaves you with a pretty thorough understanding of how the Yamaha s801 will sound. A good performing piece just not great. Sean then leaves you with a look at some comparable amps.  The NAD c316BEE and the IOTAVX. The NAD is not worth mentioning relative to this study but the IOTAVX Stack based on all of his reviews is what I should be looking at.

Can anyone share their experience with IOTA's technology and service?

Is this the right step up in fidelity from the NAD c356?

Should I be looking at Arcam, Cambridge, Marantz, Pro-ject and Quad as part of this study? 
 
musicvt
audiojedi
225 posts
 
What speakers?  Digital tech moves so quickly I'd be looking at a Rega Brio and pick an external DAC of your choice if it'll drive your speakers well.

I've heard the Yamaha it's a great sounding amp the DAC is definitely the bottleneck but it still sounds quite good.  Marantz also has a couple models that are supposed to be quite good not sure if they include a DAC or not.

musicvt OP
7 posts
 
I currently have a pair of PSB Imagine B's which I am upgrading to the PSB Tower T2's.
mesch
3,524 posts
 
I own a Yamaha A-S701 and the NAD 356BEE. Though the A-s801 has a different DAC than the A-S701 I believe the pre/amp stages to be the same. I don't believe the A-S801 to be an upgrade from the NAD356, rather a more lateral move with sonic differences. The NAD sounds warmer, the Yamaha somewhat brighter with somewhat greater resolution in midrange. Which integrated would pair best with the PSBs is subjective.  Advantages with the A-S801 are the internal DAC, phonostage, headphone output, subwoofer out. 
johnto
1,031 posts
 
Parasound also makes a great integrated with the features you are looking should be able to find used in your price range. Tough to beat a John Curl design.
jrpnde
271 posts
 
   I can't speak about other brands of equipment mentioned here but I can speak about NAD and PSB. When I sought to upgrade my system and went with a NAD amp (C375BEE). I used the amp with an existing pair of Klipsch speakers (their top of the line Reference series). The sound was just OK but I didn't think the speakers were doing justice to the amp. Went back to the dealer and heard the amp thru some PSB speakers. What a difference!
   The 375 came with available ports to install a phono and/or a DAC module. I opted for the phono module. Sounded OK but have since employed an outboard phono preamp. It was an improvement. Don't know how the DAC module would sound since my preference is mostly vinyl and CD's.

   The C375BEE I have is an earlier generation than the 388 series. It is analog rather than digital. Funny thing about these amps that you can never look just as power output. When I compared the C326BEE sounded much better musically than the C356BEE with more power. The 375 brought back the musicality of the 326. But neither with the Bluetooth and streaming capabilities of current models.

   So, it all comes down to personal preference of sound and room acoustics. Those who say NAD has a "warm" sound do not have much experience with NAD. My current system is the C375BEE, a pair of PSB Imagine B's and two subs. Good luck in your hunting.


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