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Anyone compared NAD and Cambridge Intergrateds?

My Dad's 18-year-old NAD integrated stereo amp just shot craps. He's looking for a sub $800 replacement. He uses it primarily for jazz and classical music and the occasional stereo fed of his DVD when he watches movies. His speakers are Meadowlark Kestrels, which are rated 89db but they're easily driven in his small-to-moderate sized room.
I'm considering the NAD 326BEE or one of the Cambridge Azurs.

Thoughts? Recommendations? My Dad has no patience or space for separates or tubes (sadly).
vhiner
mcgarick
277 posts
 
I've had newer NAD, and while it's OK, it still does not compare to the natural sounding vintage 3020a I have.....

There is just some sonic magic there that fires off something in the brain.

If I had to have just three amps,it would be one of them,there's just a rightness about it.

You may want to check out Virtue amps and use a regulated supply with them, heavenly sounds...way above the price point.

OR maybe an older Arcam Delta 90 or maybe a Accuphase E-202 some of those might need TLC. The Virtue is a lot of sonics cheap...
Best!
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
Beave thanks for the volume control comparison, it seems right and explains the 'jumpy' volume control on the NAD, a bit of a pain on low volume stuff...
beave
7 posts
 
Yeah the volume is a little jumpy on the NAD. Trying to nail down a desired volume when listening at low levels can be difficult. One quick push of the volume control and you go from too quiet to too loud....

Actually I found the Cambridge had somewhat similar "jumpiness," but it wasn't quite so touchy at low volumes.
everest_audio
285 posts
 
The Cambridge models like the 540A and 640A were quite "jumpy". The more recently models (.e 550A, 650A) have much better volume controls.
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