If you doubt the NAD's capability, wait until you have the requisite funds and order an "upgrade" that is returnable. If you can hear a difference go with your preference. If you chose the NAD and upgradetitis continues to bug you; rinse and repeat.
Bought powerful/expensive Amp+Speakers but plan to use an old preamp , am I crazy?
Please hear me out.
I got back into the hi-fi game after a hiatus and chanced upon some gear I have always wanted, for a great price, so I jumped on it... which resulted in no budget left for a pre-amp!
Purchased gear, yet to arrive:
Amp: McIntosh MC-452
Speakers: Paradigm Persona 3F
Sources that I already own:
Analog: Linn Sondek LP12
Digital : Oppo UDP203 / Bluenode 2i
I have an old NAD-1155 Pre-Amp lying around that i simply love!! It has one of the best phono stages I have come across among all the pre-amps I’ve owned. So I’m hoping I can use the NAD as an interim arrangement, before I can save up for a better pre-amp.
My question is rather simplistic, would the NAD cause any problems when paired with the Big MAC, in terms of compatibility and/or sonic abilities?
Besides it being a dirt cheap component (relatively speaking), nothing tells me it can’t be used, but I need someone to chime in and tell me I’m not being too naive or optimistic!
Edit: Link to the Preamp - https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/nad/1155.shtml
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Just came back to this discussion after many days, nice to see this reassurance! :) @harrylavo and @grossman616 - that's exactly my thought process! @fatdaddy2 - 😁 @sokogear - the NAD has a great MM and MC phono stage (adjustable for low and high capacitance cards). That's what I love about it. @holmz - I wasn't specifically responding to anything you said or didn't say, not sure what offended you .. @limomangus - are we still talking hi-fi or did you move on to other topics of interest?? 🤣
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@mulveling and @tunehead - that;s how I see it. Not going to spend big to get a "complete" system but over time I can see myself doing that. I can see that the NAD is not in the league of the other systems in my chain so its an interim step in the final picture :) |
@bugsnest - I used to have some NAD gear (way back) and it is a great value. That doesn't mean it's great. A phono stage with an AB switch from MM to MC is not the same as having a multi option one. I have an excellent highly regarded integrated amp that has an internal switch from MM to MC in its very good phono stage, but when I put in a Sutherland Insight, which I got used for under $1K (and later put in the linear power stage) the difference was distinctly immediately noticeable. I have come to the realization that many tweaks that you hear about here I just cannot appreciate when I do try them, but the phono stage is a very important piece of the audiophile puzzle and even though you think you have a good one, there is tremendous room for improvement. Don't worry about spending too much on the source - it it the most important part of the system.. |
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