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OUTLAW RR2150 vs NAD C 326BEE sonic differences?

I own an NAD C 326BEE with a pair of Sound Dynamic 300ti speakers which sounds pretty darn good but the NAD has no phono. I wonder if the OUTLAW RR2150 would be a step up in sound quality. I do not want to spend the money just for the phono option and take a sideways step in sound.

Has anyone compared these two amps? Even a comparison with a NAD 320 or 325 would be helpful.

If anything I would be looking for more high end 'open' quality and/or inner detail.

thanks for any info / tips

Phil
128x128philjolet
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muzikat
929 posts
 
keep the NAD, get a phono stage
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philjolet OP
2,306 posts
 
thanks guys

I guess I will beat my OCD down with a bat! Sometimes I just get a thought in my head and that leads to action! I am sometimes wise enough to ignore it though... :^)

frankly I like the spartan appearance of single components and do not really have space unless I put the phono stage on top of the NAD.

also I was thinking the Outlaw may be a fair step up in sound quality but that would be hard to prove based on what little I have found comparing the two.

Maybe I will poke around at the phono stages - just for kicks...

Phil
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rar1
1,784 posts
 
I owned the NAD C320BEE for a number of years, which is the older brother of the C326BEE. If you search the review archives here, you will find my review of the 320BEE from 10 years ago.

I own the Outlaw RR2150 currently and have owned it for the past 7 years.

I like both products, a lot.

The build and sound qualities of each amp are pretty similar ... they are in the same class ... good solid performers. Get the Outlaw if you want a tuner. The Outlaw is a bit more sensitive to the other components in your chain ... pair it with better speakers or a better CD player and you will notice the differences a bit more than you would with the NAD.

The Musical Fidelity phono amp for $200 or so is a great buy, if you go with an outboard.

Rich
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philjolet OP
2,306 posts
 
thanks Rich,

very useful information.

Sonically the OUTLAW RR2150 and NAD C 326BEE must be neck and neck.

Actually I have a vintage tuner (Sansui TU919) so that part is not really my interest. I was hoping the Outlaw would be a solid step up in sound quality from the NAD and it has more power and phono as well for roughly $250 more in price used.

It could have been fun but I will look elsewhere.
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muzikat
929 posts
 
I should have said I owned the rr2150 and have owned a NAD 375BEE. Not quite the same, but NAD. I have owned many other NAD products, including receivers and CD players.
The NAD is a bit "warmer" if that is to your liking, it is mine. Also the volume control on the Outlaw, by remote is a bit finicky, a little touch goes a long way.
I like simplicity in my components, which is NAD. But as mentioned above, if the goal is a one box solution, then the Outlaw is a nice piece. Sound wise you would not gain, IMO
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