Try the NAD C370 $699 ...$549 at Qaudio.com
I bought mine to hold me over for a little while in an expensive system and was stunned at it's perfomance. It is currently hooked up to $5500 Audio Physic Virgo III's and is driving them very nicely, great power with detail. Check out the recent review in stereophile Jan??
It is rated at 120W Stereophile tested it and it ran at 178W at 8ohms.
Bang for the buck with power to spare, look no further. |
The LFD Mistral is a potent, smooth sounding int. amp. She's a tad over $1k. $1095 i think, but a large step up from the NAD amps. |
Ahh, maybe so but with much less power, and this isn't your Daddy's NAD. I infact really used to dislike the dull lifeless sound of the NAD line. This unit is completely different, effortlessly powerful with a very refined and detailed high end. It throws a deep soundstage. Don't comment on this unit unless you have physically heard it, assumptions don't apply here.
The LFD Mistral is $1049 and has 50W, not exactly power to spare, the SE version has 75W but is $1495. These are very nice sounding amps, but not exceptional bargains by any means. |
Audio Refinement is oft the champ in the $1,000 new price range. |
Depends a bit on how important $$$ is to you. I heard the NAD C370 too and, as Chelillingworth said, it's an exceptional bargain if you want new. I second the nomination. I am not a long time NAD fan either.
If you want to by used (i would), spend the entire 1k, and look around here for awhile, you can undoubtedly get something better.
Sincerely, I remain |
I am on another group that just had a discussion about NAD, several technicians are on this group, NONE of them had any good to say about NAD, putting it mildly.
Disclaimer:
I am simply passing along others thoughts from another discussion, I do not and have not owned any, though a friend did years ago. |
I own both an Audio Refinement Complete (ARC) amp and an NAD receiver. I have not heard the C370 but have auditioned the c350 amp. They all have strengths and weaknesses. The NAD has a slightly more forgiving, darker sound which will probably work better if your front end or speakers are not up to snuff. The NAD has tone controls, which I find are a must with them (especially the bass boost) and work very well, for tone controls. The ARC sounds like more expensive solid state gear (a little more open, a little more detail) and also seems to sound more powerful than its 50 wpc rating. The weaknesses of the ARC (imho)is that it can sound a little sterile on some source material and it emits an annoying clunk when you turn it on. |
I have owned the Audio Refinement and can say that the NAD is clearly better and has the power that the original post here is lokking for.
As I said before, I have never been a fan of NAD before this. I have also chatted with techs over the yearsregarding build quality etc.. and I know that for a while NAD had some real QC problems. I can tell you things have changed. This amp is very well put together.
This amp was the European EISA amplifier of the year.
I would look to the recent Stereophile Review, the Measurements section for some qualitative comments on the engineering and build qualiy specific to this unit.
You'll find them to be exceptional, and when you consider the price of the amp downright surprising. |
I have owned the Audio Refinement and can say that the NAD is clearly better and has the power that the original post here is looking for.
As I said before, I have never been a fan of NAD before this. I have also chatted with techs over the yearsregarding build quality etc.. and I know that for a while NAD had some real QC problems. I can tell you things have changed. This amp is very well put together.
This amp was the European EISA amplifier of the year.
I would look to the recent Stereophile Review, the Measurements section for some qualitative comments on the engineering and build qualiy specific to this unit.
You'll find them to be exceptional, and when you consider the price of the amp downright surprising. |
Sorry about the double post.
My comments are specific to the 370. |
Brian, were they talking about NAD in general, or about the 370, or both? Where is this discussion? Thanks.
I remain, |
The discussion was about NAD in general, this was on an e-mail list, so there is no Web site to go to where you can view the discussion. |
Your post didn't say if you wanted tubes or solid-state, are you open to tubes? I have had a Jolida 302B for about 2 months now, and I couldn't be happier. My dealer replaced the "interstage coupling capacitors" with models from Kimber, and I also got upgraded tubes all around. I recently got a matched quad of Electro-Harmonix EL34's for $40 here on the 'Gon. The last touch was a Music Hall power cord, and I am very happy with the performance of this nice-looking integrated. (I use a Sony 333SACD and am currently driving Triangle Titus monitors. Silver Sonic Q10 biwire, too.) If you get the chance to listen to a Jolida, please do. Your ears will thank you... |
Chelillingworth - I have heard the C370, physically. Don't assume I haven't. I should have added that the LFD is only 50 watts. When I listened to it, the amp was driving a pair medium sized three ways to loud levels, so I assume that it will drive a pair of fairly efficient monitors. I agree that the C370 is a good deal, and it is only half the price of the LFD. Tonally, however, the Mistral is superior, and imo, also a bargain. Maybe jakeulate will not find that it fits the bill. Maybe, somehow, it is too little power. And maybe saving $550 is worth quality difference. I am suggesting it, not buying for him. |
Chelillingworth - I have heard the C370. Don't assume I haven't. I definately should have added that the LFD is only 50 watts, though. When I listened to it, the amp was driving a pair medium sized three ways to loud levels, so I assume that it will drive a pair of fairly efficient monitors easily enough. The Sudio 20s are not exactly power mongers. I agree that the C370 is a good deal at $550. Tonally, however, the Mistral is superior, and imo, also a bargain. Maybe jakeulate will not find that it fits the bill. Maybe, somehow, it is too little power. In fact, I really doubt he will end up with it. Mine was just a suggestion. |
Oh I am not personally attacking anyones suggestions, or making assumptions, my only reference to the LFD was it's realtively low power, it is a fine product. It does look like the comment on hearing the components was a little tangled up, I didn't meaan to direct it towards Ohlala.
My comments about the NAD are only to make the point that this amp doesn't fit in the classic NAD pidgeon hole, dark opaque and underpowered. My comments were directed towards the thread in general as many people have commented on the quality and sound of NAD, good comments with which I agree. I am only stating that this amp is a different can of worms.
There are many very good solid state integrateds for $1000 to $1500. The surprise to me is that the NAD has so much power and is a very neutral and transparent amp. It is not warm like the Audio Refinement and to a lesser extent the LFD. All though they are tonally different,that gets into personal prefence, but in the important areas of resolution and control the 370 is unimpeachable at double it's price. Now the decision is how much to spend, how much power do you want, and tonally what is your cup of tea. All the amps mentioned are very good and none would be a mistake.
Cheers |
Have to recommend the Bryston B-60R as an excellent long-term investment, not as much power as the NAD but waaay better build quality. And IMO, sounds nicer overall even though it's only 60 wpc. If you're planning on keeping this piece a long time, find a nice used one and buy it, you won't regret it. And if you ever do want more power, you can easily biamp to any 2B or 3B amp. |
How about an Anthem Integrated 2. A solid state amplifier section with a tube preamp section. Can be had used for about $500 (at least that is what my husband would like to get for his. (he went to separates in his system and now has one he needs to get rid of, he is just lazy and has not posted it for sale yet) |
Another one to consider is a used Classe Cap-80...more than enough for even Magnepan's and Martin Logan's. For more money the Classe Cap-100 and ARC CA-50 are worth a listen. |
Chelillingworth - ok, sorry for the miscommunication. It would have helped if I was more detailed in my first post and more mature in my second. And sorry for the double post, the second was meant to be an edit. Good luck all. |
Thanx to all for the feedback. I never immagined that I would get so many responses and appreciate all who took the time to post.
I am replacing my 20 year old components one at a time. I have a rega 3 with rb300 arm with origin live mods (purchased used here a year ago). A pair of paradigm ref studio 20's and and old pair of infinity RSB's (which I really enjoy)
My Yamaha r900 receiver has blown a channel for the last time. This is because I am tired of fixing it only to have it go time and again (man these run hot)
Seems the NAD meets the criteria which is a bang for th buck purchase with power to spare. I am without music now for a few weeks and need to get an amp before I go insane.
I am operating out of a small space and just cant see investing too heavily in things I wont be able to relax with and enjoy. I do hope to have a dedicated listening room in the future and will look into upgrading with some kewl used gear in time.
I did recently pick up an old Scott lk-72 tube amp and was impressed with the qualiy of the sound from this old unit.
Interstingly, I found that the LK-72 didnt seem to drive the paradigmes well at all but did have the minimum needed to push the RSB's along fairly well.
Both speakers are rated at 8 ohms so I am confused as to why they worked so differently.
The RSB's are so much larger tan the ref 20's that I just assumed they would perform less well with the same amount of power.
Any educational tipps appreciated and thanks again to all.
Jake |
Jake.
Some of the old Scott and Dynacos (ST70) are the very best deal out there if you are watching your $$ and have a little knowledge or friend who does. Great web sites for restoration if you are interested. Listening to them reminds you of how far the industry has not come.
I remain, |
