Is my amp good enough?


Hello everyone. New here and looking for some opinions.

My system comprises of mostly NAD components. The pre amp is the C165BEE and the amp is the C275BEE. They are currently driving an older pair of Monitor Audio Silver 8's. I have always been rather happy with this set up.

I am now looking at upgrading the speakers to a brand new set of Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G speakers and I am wondering if my amp has what it takes to get the best out of the incoming speakers. I am not sure if I would get an honest answer from a salesperson as they might convince me I need a $6000 amp to drive the speakers.

I have included the specs on my amp and the speakers I am looking at. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Some details:

NAD C275BEE

OVERALL SPECIFICATIONS

FIXED IN, SPEAKER OUT

Continuous output power into 8 Ω and 4 Ω (both channels driven) >150 W (ref. rated THD, 20 Hz – 20 kHz)

Continuous output power into 8 Ω (Mono, Bridge mode) >330 W (ref. 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <0.02% THD)

Rated THD (250 mW to rated power, CCIF IMD, DIM 100) <0.008 % (ref. 20 Hz - 20 kHz)

Clipping power (4 Ω and 8 Ω) >170 W (ref. 1 kHz 1% THD)

IHF dynamic power - 8 Ω 250 W

4 Ω 410 W

2 Ω 600 W

IHF dynamic power (Bridge mode) - 8 Ω 800 W

4 Ω 1200 W

Peak output current >50 A (ref. 1 Ω, 1 ms)

Signal/Noise ratio >102 dB (A-weighted, ref. 1 W)

>123 dB (A-weighted, ref. 150 W)

Damping factor >180 (ref. 8 Ω, 50 Hz and 1 kHz)

Frequency response ± 0.1 dB (ref. 20 Hz - 20 kHz)

3 Hz - 100 kHz (ref. -3 dB)

Input impedance (Fixed IN) 10 kΩ + 200 pF

Input impedance (Variable IN) 100 kΩ + 100 pF

Input sensitivity 1.2 V (ref. rated power)

Voltage gain 29 dB

Minimum input level for AUTO TRIGGER 10 mV at 1 kHz

Time to power OFF at no signal in AUTO mode <10 minutes

POWER CONSUMPTION

Normal operation 312 W (ref. 230V AC 50 Hz; 120V AC 60 Hz)

Standby power <1 W

Idle power <100 W

 

Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G:

Specifications
System Format 3-way
Frequency Response (-6 dB) 30 Hz – 50 kHz
Sensitivity (1W@1M) 90 dB
Nominal Impedance 4 Ohms
Minimum Impedance 3.5 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Maximum SPL 117 dBA (Pair)
Power Handling (RMS) 250 W
Recommended Amplifier Requirements 100 – 250 W
neversatisfied

So my thinking, and please chime in with your opinions.

I would like to think the speaker upgrade alone would result in sufficient improvements to my sound. I would hope that that will bring me 80% of the way and that a preamp upgrade down the road would be the other 20%. Theoretical numbers of course and not necessarily 80/20 but the speakers being the higher value in the split.

I am not one to buy into the really over the top snake oil stuff. I agree that those hugely expensive items will perhaps get you a percentage point or two, nothing my human ears will notice anyway.

I liked the opinions that my separates would be sufficient, something I was hoping to hear. As long as the speaker upgrade alone brings me a significant (to me) improvement, I would be happy with that for now. And I would think the current Gold 300 must be a noticeable improvement over my 20 year old Silver 8’s.

“The title question is; Is my amp good enough?

The op is: neversatisfied

Have you not answered your own question?”

 

I figured someone would pick up on that.

I’m trying to figure out how to quote and reply in this forum with little luck so far

mesch

3,305 posts

 

+  @onhwy61 .

I would listen to the speakers with your current amplification a while to let them settle in and yourself get to know them.Then ask yourself what you wish to improve and search out amplification that will provide desired improvement. 

What are your sources?

 

Rega RP3, NAD CD player, NAD receiver

get the absolute best transducers you can afford… then worry about electronics…. assuming you can drive them and your NAD is fairly stout. You should broaden your speaker audition horizon…… read less, listen more….