2. amps-preamps
  3. 151739-137341

Bit Disappointed in NAD

I have a C375BEE integrated that I bought awhile back that I like quite a bit. Built a new house, so my system was in boxes for awhile. Finally finished the house, so I unpacked my system and bought the MDC DAC 2.0 card from Crutchfield to add to my amp. I specifically bought this DAC so I could stream from iTunes via the USB input on the DAC. Installed the DAC, and right away noticed a significant buzz ONLY on the USB input (buzz rises/falls in step w/ volume). Tried the phono and optical inputs on the DAC, and they are fine, no buzz.

Contacted NAD, and was told to bring the amp and DAC to one of their authorized repair centers. Did so, and was charged $65 for a diagnostic fee so they could tell me:

  • 1) Yes, the USB input buzzes
  • 2) No, the unit is not repairable
  • 3) No, there are no more, since the DAC has now been discontinued
  • 4) The best they could do is send me a used DAC 1.0, which only supports 96kHz sampling instead of 192kHz on the 2.0

Now realistically, I doubt I'll be able to hear the difference between 96 and 192kHz. But I'm disappointed that I bought a product from what I thought was a reputable company, and even though they agree it's defective and is still under warranty, the best they can do is substitute an older, inferior product. I'm also really surprised that they don't even attempt to repair these. Personally, I find that these days we live in a bit of a "throw-away" society, and would have thought an electronics company with a reputation like NAD's would have been the exception to that.

It's only a $250 part, and maybe I'm just frustrated because I haven't had any music in over a month now, but I felt like venting a bit.


nobbyv
perkri
907 posts
 
Odd.

Sorry you have to deal with that.

Don't understand why Crutchfield wont just give you the money back? They have a 60 day money back guarantee? And its still listed as current on Nads website.  https://nadelectronics.com/product/mdc-dac-2-0/   Solen still lists it as current. Something seems "off" with Crutchfield as well as a diagnostic fee. 

Good luck.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,618 posts
 
nobbyv

there was a time when I considered the NAD Master series until I read about the various problems compared to the older NAD products. Quality Control took a hit.

Happy Listening!
nobbyv OP
4 posts
 
I'll answer a few common questions here:

I was told I needed to pay the diagnostic fee because as I installed the MDC DAC module myself, it was possible that the issue was user error. NAD is now saying that the repair shop should refund me the $65, as they've determined it was not user error. We'll see what the repair shop says. 

Unfortunately, I was so busy building the house, by the time I got a minute to call Crutchfield, I was outside of their 60-day return window, and they were not inclined to take back a part that had been discontinued. 

NAD says there is no replacement coming out, as they are no longer using the modular MDC platform. The only outboard DAC that sell now is a Bluetooth module.   
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,142 posts
 
Nad customer service sucks, that shows they could care less about after the sale . I owned their top preamp dac 
and sold it .i would never buy their products again since their is so much more out there .  Why don’t you look at the just discontinued model but very well supported From underwood wally 
the peachtree Audio 220-SE  it got a ton of excellent reviews ,and 
very respectable dac it sold for $2k and beat integrated sat 2 x that on sale $995 delivered, with a class A preamp section and vacuum tube  I bought one for a second system excellent 
with full 2 year warranty .
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,949 posts
 
nobbyv

NAD is now saying that the repair shop should refund me the $65, as they've determined it was not user error ... by the time I got a minute to call Crutchfield, I was outside of their 60-day return window, and they were not inclined to take back a part ... NAD says there is no replacement coming out ...
If the unit is within warranty and can't be repaired, and the manufacturer doesn't have a replacement model to offer you, I think you're entitled to a refund in full. I'd seek that from Crutchfield and have NAD arrange for a refund on the bench fee if the shop doesn't cooperate. After all, the shop was authorized to act as NAD's agent.
More to discover