I had the predecessor all-NAD system as a prior B-system (C370 integrated, C420 tuner, C540 cdp) driving TOTEM ARROs, REGA R1s and CAMBER 2.0s at various times.
Hence I know the NAD sonic signature (and its pluses AND warts very well.
I am a big supporter in the "pro-cables" camp, but the NAD gear pushes one to a different path. I did lengthy hands-on swap-in / swap-outs of various cable arrays.
my findings; parsing out speaker cables as a noble attempt for improved audio performance without contemporaneous due consideration of the interconnects and power cables as an "all-in" array will be a failed attempt IMO
(1) A quality power cord swap-in and dedicated power line did a LOT more than the effects of the ICs or speaker cables or even both together combined.
The NAD sonic signature is on the "dark side" overall with a rolled-off top end. In an effort to liven it up, I did a long hands-on bake off of various quality brand name ICs and speaker cable arrays , inccluing, inter alia: CHORD, ATLAS, VAN DEN HUl, AUDIOQUEST and a bevy of budget cables.
My findings;
(a) anything more than a 10% cost of your kit overall (that’s 10% all-in for power, IC and speaker cables) was simply a total waste ofnoney - no further step-up in performance .... full stop.
(b) Mostly there was minimal to nil difference in the choices in that price strata overall in any case ... so just go pick one of ’em IMo with some comfort that with NAD, it ain’t gonna matter at looking fir a further Holy Grail
(c) the "better’ incremental (nominal.... nothing big...) cables in system synergies arose in MY (emphasis added) matching of ICs and speaker cables from the same brand instead of any ad-hoc one-off swap-ins resulting in a mixed brand array.
Hence I know the NAD sonic signature (and its pluses AND warts very well.
I am a big supporter in the "pro-cables" camp, but the NAD gear pushes one to a different path. I did lengthy hands-on swap-in / swap-outs of various cable arrays.
my findings; parsing out speaker cables as a noble attempt for improved audio performance without contemporaneous due consideration of the interconnects and power cables as an "all-in" array will be a failed attempt IMO
(1) A quality power cord swap-in and dedicated power line did a LOT more than the effects of the ICs or speaker cables or even both together combined.
The NAD sonic signature is on the "dark side" overall with a rolled-off top end. In an effort to liven it up, I did a long hands-on bake off of various quality brand name ICs and speaker cable arrays , inccluing, inter alia: CHORD, ATLAS, VAN DEN HUl, AUDIOQUEST and a bevy of budget cables.
My findings;
(a) anything more than a 10% cost of your kit overall (that’s 10% all-in for power, IC and speaker cables) was simply a total waste ofnoney - no further step-up in performance .... full stop.
(b) Mostly there was minimal to nil difference in the choices in that price strata overall in any case ... so just go pick one of ’em IMo with some comfort that with NAD, it ain’t gonna matter at looking fir a further Holy Grail
(c) the "better’ incremental (nominal.... nothing big...) cables in system synergies arose in MY (emphasis added) matching of ICs and speaker cables from the same brand instead of any ad-hoc one-off swap-ins resulting in a mixed brand array.