2. amps-preamps
  3. 187320-186532

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
fastfreight
919 posts
 

Is “sound” not more from the pre amp than the power amp?

I was under the assumption that the amp gives the bang for the buck whereas the pre is more for how the sound shapes up, detail, sound stage, etc.

No, I would say that is not correct.  Amps have a huge impact on all of the sound qualities you listed.  Both are important.  Changing my preamp made a huge impact.  Changing my amps also made a huge impact.

goodlistening64
122 posts
 

I have had the NAD 375BEE for 8 years. Sweet sounding A/B Amp that comes alive with a tube preamp. Had a PrimaLuna 100 (6 tubes) but after trying a Rogue RP-1, I sold the PL. RP-1 can be had for around a grand. Upgrade the two tunes in the RP-1 and your current speakers will thank you for it. My experience in separates is that the preamp is what changes the sound the most (for the least amount of money) and that speakers are the most expensive upgrade and the least consequential. Surely, others will chime in that their Focals or Revel speakers made the biggest difference but at a major cost above and beyond what you currently have.

mrdecibel
3,104 posts
 

One or two folks here mentioned the room acoustics and listener / speaker positioning. Do you have that nailed down ? Using your current speakers, get that dialed in, and go from there. IME, this should come 1st, if you already have a decent system. My best, and enjoy ! MrD.

jl35
4,158 posts
 

To me the difference in sound between different speakers is much greater than the sound of different amps..I agree the preamp is often overlooked as the major component it is....might also be time to consider an Integrated Amp...not simply a question of better or worse, but the speaker-amp matching...

neversatisfied OP
82 posts
 

To me the difference in sound between different speakers is much greater than the sound of different amps..I agree the preamp is often overlooked as the major component it is....might also be time to consider an Integrated Amp...not simply a question of better or worse, but the speaker-amp matching...

So why integrated? I always thought separates were the way to go?

 

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