What is the right choice?

I believe what constitutes 'warmth' is subjective. I have owned several NAD amplifiers throughout the years and have listened to several others. I would not declare them to be, as a class, warm, however in comparison to the A-S701 it seemed to me that the NAD 356 was more so. I might have declared the 701 as more airy, lighter. Since warmth has much to do with the speakers in use, I should add that this comparison was made with a pair of B&W CM5s. 

I also owned the NAD 326BEE prior to the NAD 356BEE, made the change because I was using them in a secondary system for outside use and the slight extra power (headroom?) provided by the 356 proved beneficial. Other wise I would have kept the 326.  I agree with jrpnde that is was 'more musical'.

I have also listened to and enjoyed PSB speakers, most recently Synchrony 1s. And have heard that NAD mates well with PSBs. I have not heard then together however. I do believe NAD provides the amplifiers for PSB subwoofers. 

At the moment, if I was considering the purchase of a new integrated having both phonostage and DAC, at a budget limit of $1600, I am not sure what I would purchase. If wanting to stay closer to $1000 budget and purchase a new product, I would consider the A-S801 or the Outlaw receiver (forgot model). There are likely more contenders.  That said, I would most likely look at purchasing a used recent model integrated which retailed at ~$2500 for somewhere between the aforementioned price points with the features required. 

   mesch...There has been a bit of discussion on this thread about the combination of NAD amps and PSB speakers. I am quite curious about your comment about what you heard with the PSB Synchronys. Before the Imagine line came out the Synchrony line was supposedly the flagship of PSB. I have read a lot of reviews and opinions comparing the two different models and seems that most opinions favor the Synchrony over the Imagine. Since the Synchrony series has been out of production for a while, the only option is in the used market. I just wonder how much they are superior.
   I am using a pair of Imagine B's with a pair of two 10" subs. I would like to stay with the use of the subs so stand mounts would be preferable over floors standers. So, the option would be the Synchrony 1B. The Synchrony 2B is also out there but just a peg down from the 1B. Obviously, auditioning these speakers at a dealer is out and I am wondering if you or any of the others posting on this forum may have first hand experience with comparisons of the two lines.

I appreciate all the feedback I received from this post, however I have not had any comments on the IOTAVX S3/P3 possible decision. This would be an upgrade to support the need for a phono input, a DAC and some additional wattage. Does anybody have experience with this brand?
Now I am adding an additional question relative to another one of Zero Fidelity's high ranking reviews, the Buchardt S400 bookshelf speaker.

Does this pairing makes Hi-Fi sense? IotaVX and the S400? Is this a sonic upgrade from the NAD C356 and the PSB Imagine B's?

Sean from Zero Fidelity, care to comment?

Jrpnde, yes at the time I heard the Synchrony 1s they were the PSB flagship speakers. I did not hear then with NAD amplification. They were driven by a Rouge Chronous Magnum.  I can't comment regarding comparison with the Imagine series.  

Musicvt,

I was noticing that on the tread. Not actually answering what you asked about. Too funny. Anyway, I have for probably 9 month now owed an Iotavx sa3 integrated and I absolutely love it. I also watch Zero Fidelity and being one of about 3 or 4 gear reviewers on YouTube that I watch, there is no one out there better than he is at describing sound and put it into words that are easily digestible, understandable and relatable. I agree whole hearted with pretty much everything he says in describing the Iotavx. Love the sound. Bluetooth very clear. Can’t speak for the phone stage as I don’t use it. Sound seems to be very neutral and detailed. I can tell a big difference between my Onkyo Home theatre receiver and the Iotavx when running my Klipsch rp-600m speakers. Just a clearer and more detailed sound. Very well balanced throughout the low, mids and highs. I haven’t tried the stack yet, as the single 45watt Iotavx ps3 is very capable of powering those sensitive speakers to very high volumes. I don’t have really any experience with higher dollar DACs, so my opinion may not be worth a ton. But I know good sound when I hear it. I played piano for 5 years as a child and got into some fairly complex classical pieces towards the end and my pitch is perfect. I like to think I have a good ear for music for that reason.

 I’ve primarily have used avr’s in the past, but there is to me just a staggering difference between most of today’s modern avrs (home theater listening) and 2 channel critical listening with a dedicated integrated amplifier. I currently have a pair of Klipsch Forte iii on order and can’t wait to hook up the Iota to them. I can’t escape horn loaded speakers now having owned the rp-600m. Just the clearest sound imho. Anyway, good luck. Let me know if you get one and what you think.