Anyone compared NAD and Cambridge Intergrateds?

I used to own both the Cambridge 540A v2 and the NAD C326BEE.

They're both very nice budget amps, and I don't think you could go wrong with either.

The packaging and chassis on the Cambridge look nicer, but the NAD has slightly higher quality parts inside (bigger power supply caps, relays instead of IC switching, etc).

I think the audible differences between the two are overstated and are mostly a result of the one real difference I did notice, namely, that the volume controls track quite differently. In other words, put them both at the 9 o'clock position, and the NAD was much louder than the Cambridge. By the 12 o'clock position, they were closer in loudness. I think this alone explains a lot of the sonic differences being attributed to them, ie, people are hearing level differences more than actual sonic differences.

Beave, my impressions, above, were not based on level differences.

Fair enough Tobias. I didn't mean to call out anybody personally; I was merely stating that the two amps seem to me more similar than different - at least with the speakers I listened to them on. Now, to a large extent, the differences may only be apparent with certain speakers that are either very revealing or difficult loads to drive. Also, I only compared at moderate levels; the differences at high levels would likely be greater than what I heard.

BTY, measurement and design-wise the Zamp/ passive pre compares very favorably to the $1,500 Sim I-1. Maybe better as there is no added bass boost like with the Sim, YMMV. Just doesn't look as good and has no remote.

Again, I appreciate everyone's help. While I left budget gear behind long ago, I think it's critical to help anyone who's even slightly interested in SQ to find gear that meets that person's unique needs. My Dad could get better sound if he went with seperates and a tube pre w/out a remote...but he'd be frustrated by the lack of convenience and worried that a tube would " malfunction." Less fun. Instead, he's getting a darn good solid state integrated with a remote and warranty for a bargain, which allows him to buy a Shunyata Venom 3 power cord and *still* come in under budget. More fun.