NAD Amplifiers

[jyl]

My amp is kaput, so looking for a used one on the 'Bay.

Back in the day, I always liked the NAD brand for the clean look, no weirdo graphics, and minimal controls. So looking at NAD 317 or other integrated amplifier model with around 60-80 w/ch. Budget up to $300.

What do you audiophiles think? Is this an ok amp?

Context: Not an audiophile. Mostly going to be playing Spotify off an iMac, occasionally jazz vinyl off a Dual or NAD turntable. My speakers are dying too, so not totally sure what this amp will be driving. Maybe a set of Bose 901s with a mini-DSP signal processor. Maybe a set of JBL monitors. Maybe some random set from a thrift store. I dunno.

[Ayles]

I have an old NAD 1020 pre that I swap in occasionally. It not a bad unit at all.

[Cajundaddy]

I liked NAD back in the day. I would consider it quality consumer electronics but not audiophile rare air. That is probably a good thing. Yamaha and Denon are also in a similar quality and price point IMO. They deliver the goods while not being crazy expensive.

[Juirende]

I had a C375BEE that had to be serviced after 30 days of use. I like the C320BEE a lot so I am sure your amp is very good for the money, I took money here. I currently have an older 312 as a back up amp and it sounds fantastic, great tone.

[ramonesfreak]

it’s a fine amp. back in 2008 i actually found one in a dumpster. i jumped in and got it and took it home. worked good. for some reason i sold it.

if you like your broken amp, it might be worth it to find a local repair guy and have them take a look. it usually cost an avg of $75 to repair them. you may end up needing to have work done on any old amp you buy used. i have 4 systems at home with vintage amps and have had to have repairs done to all of them which i went ahead and had done. i’m glad i did rather than just toss and replace with another old amp that will inevitably need parts replaced anyway

[ramonesfreak]

btw, love jazz. nothing better than jazz vinyl

most of this is jazz

[KFC911]

Does anyone have an older pre they want to let go? My "band aid receiver" a friend gave me croaked, and I just need a good pre .... NAD would be just fine .... as my ears remember from those daze in the stereo stores .

[Chocaholic]

We’ve had an NAD integrated amp for many years....use it daily without issue. Good sound quality, solid build. I’d say go for it.

[ErVikingo]

Odd to see this here... one of my Brystons stopped working last saturday. NAD are very pleasant sounding but you would be surprised with some of the more modern Onkyo and Marantz receiver types. They have pretty god DAC's on them.

For clarity I use a Theta Data Pro and a Modded (Swoboda) Sony ES (CD and also SACD) as my transports. Rest of the system is pretty cool also.

[ramonesfreak]

^^^ the 20 year warranty on my Bryston B60 just expired in March...god I hope it doesnt die. Love that thing. Ive beat the hell out of it for 20 years and its still great

[ErVikingo]

they have been tanks. I'm pulling out the Tresholds Stasis from the "For Sale" stash and plan on installing them.

Having said that, I have some esoteric stuff for sale. Its just so hard to pack and ship. Some examples:

- Nakamichi Dragon
- Manley Tube power Amp (one 1) never connected
- Infinity IRS BETA sull set plus extra (spare) servo brain and 4 extra woofers NOS
- SONY DAT
- SAE 2400 amp
- various Adcoms
- Mirage M3's
- Aerial 8b's
- ...

[aschen]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

^^^ the 20 year warranty on my Bryston B60 just expired in March...god I hope it doesnt die. Love that thing. Ive beat the hell out of it for 20 years and its still great

Even if you send it in for repair after 20 years there is a good chance they won't charge you. Those guys are so awesome and earnest about the quality of their products and warrantee.

I have a 13 year old 100bsst integrated on my second system and a 2-3 year old 4B3 on my main system.


OP, I have a 35 year old NAD2030. Its a really great integrated for its day. It still works extremely well and the 30wpc rating is deceiving, has plenty of power for most applications. Pots and switches are a bit noisy. I think a 317 would probably be great and higher quality than anything you would get for the price NEW. However it is still 20 years old or whatever, the chance of noisy pots or needing caps or maintance coming up is still there. If you like something a bit more interesting than off the shelf new than by all means. However If you just want something that works you may consider something newer.


Something like:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S301BL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCN0A/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D9N9ZQYJ65DA&dchild=1&keywords=yamaha+integrated+amplifier&qid=1605105366&sprefix=yamaha+inte%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

they have been tanks. I'm pulling out the Tresholds Stasis from the "For Sale" stash and plan on installing them.

Having said that, I have some esoteric stuff for sale. Its just so hard to pack and ship. Some examples:

- Nakamichi Dragon
- Manley Tube power Amp (one 1) never connected
- Infinity IRS BETA sull set plus extra (spare) servo brain and 4 extra woofers NOS
- SONY DAT
- SAE 2400 amp
- various Adcoms
- Mirage M3's
- Aerial 8b's
- ...

Which Manley amp is that? I could not readily locate it on their current product site or the legacy product site.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by astrochex

Which Manley amp is that? I could not readily locate it on their current product site or the legacy product site.

Sorry Paul i didn't mean that as a model number, just that I have only one. Sold the other 4 as part of a prior system. This one was a spare.

I'll take a pic and post it.

[Rtrorkt]

Running an old Yamaha M4 I bought in 1976. Been pumping along. I am jonesing after the blue McIntosh lights

[ErVikingo]

[astrochex]

That's a beast, cool.

https://www.manley.com/legacy/manem175

They still perform warranty service, very impressive!

[ErVikingo]

here is a cool video:

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by astrochex

That's a beast, cool.

https://www.manley.com/legacy/manem175

They still perform warranty service, very impressive!

I was going to use it on the center channel but have decided to sell it.

[Rtrorkt]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-M-4-Natural-Sound-Power-Amplifier-2-Channel/293824152030?hash=item446948c1de:g:SLkAAOSwETVfqsp I

https://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-Control-Pre-Amplifier-C-6-c1728/324365402629?hash=item4b85af4205:g:Tv4AAOSwv-ZetP5A

My set up along with a tangent tracking Yamaha turntable. Had to put the Time Windows away since the new cats liked clawing the fabric. Great set up has lasted me since '76 or '77