There are better amps and you are leaving some level of performance untapped, but your current amp will work well with your new loudspeaker.
Is my amp good enough?
Hello everyone. New here and looking for some opinions.
My system comprises of mostly NAD components. The pre amp is the C165BEE and the amp is the C275BEE. They are currently driving an older pair of Monitor Audio Silver 8's. I have always been rather happy with this set up.
I am now looking at upgrading the speakers to a brand new set of Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G speakers and I am wondering if my amp has what it takes to get the best out of the incoming speakers. I am not sure if I would get an honest answer from a salesperson as they might convince me I need a $6000 amp to drive the speakers.
I have included the specs on my amp and the speakers I am looking at. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Some details:
NAD C275BEE
OVERALL SPECIFICATIONS
FIXED IN, SPEAKER OUT
Continuous output power into 8 Ω and 4 Ω (both channels driven) >150 W (ref. rated THD, 20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Continuous output power into 8 Ω (Mono, Bridge mode) >330 W (ref. 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <0.02% THD)
Rated THD (250 mW to rated power, CCIF IMD, DIM 100) <0.008 % (ref. 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Clipping power (4 Ω and 8 Ω) >170 W (ref. 1 kHz 1% THD)
IHF dynamic power - 8 Ω 250 W
4 Ω 410 W
2 Ω 600 W
IHF dynamic power (Bridge mode) - 8 Ω 800 W
4 Ω 1200 W
Peak output current >50 A (ref. 1 Ω, 1 ms)
Signal/Noise ratio >102 dB (A-weighted, ref. 1 W)
>123 dB (A-weighted, ref. 150 W)
Damping factor >180 (ref. 8 Ω, 50 Hz and 1 kHz)
Frequency response ± 0.1 dB (ref. 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
3 Hz - 100 kHz (ref. -3 dB)
Input impedance (Fixed IN) 10 kΩ + 200 pF
Input impedance (Variable IN) 100 kΩ + 100 pF
Input sensitivity 1.2 V (ref. rated power)
Voltage gain 29 dB
Minimum input level for AUTO TRIGGER 10 mV at 1 kHz
Time to power OFF at no signal in AUTO mode <10 minutes
POWER CONSUMPTION
Normal operation 312 W (ref. 230V AC 50 Hz; 120V AC 60 Hz)
Standby power <1 W
Idle power <100 W
Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G:
Specifications | |
---|---|
System Format | 3-way |
Frequency Response (-6 dB) | 30 Hz – 50 kHz |
Sensitivity (1W@1M) | 90 dB |
Nominal Impedance | 4 Ohms |
Minimum Impedance | 3.5 Ohms @ 1 kHz |
Maximum SPL | 117 dBA (Pair) |
Power Handling (RMS) | 250 W |
Recommended Amplifier Requirements | 100 – 250 W |
+ @onhwy61 . I would listen to the speakers with your current amplification a while to let them settle in and yourself get to know them.Then ask yourself what you wish to improve and search out amplification that will provide desired improvement. What are your sources? |
I had the NAD 375BEE, and really liked it, but decided to see if I could improve. I introduced a Schiit Freya + preamp and this was a significant improvement. You might start with a preamp, the new Schiit Kara would be a low cost experiment. I also agree that you should use your existing equipment for a while with the new speakers before you make change. |
Thing is I haven’t purchased the speakers yet. Auditioning would be at the store and probably with a much more expensive pre and power amp. I know this store sells NAD products, I guess I could ask if they would have something close to mine to use for the in store audition. If the speaker alone sounds substantially better than my old Silvers I would still go ahead with the idea of upgrading the pre amp and amp down the road. So I get the sense that a preamp would be a more logical upgrade (with the new speakers) before the power amp? |
I would definitely ask the store to demo the speakers with something similar, even if it is a NAD integrated at around the level of your separates. If you like what you hear, live with that for a bit and if you get the upgrade bug later on, you can see what your budget tolerance is and go from there. |
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So my thinking, and please chime in with your opinions. I would like to think the speaker upgrade alone would result in sufficient improvements to my sound. I would hope that that will bring me 80% of the way and that a preamp upgrade down the road would be the other 20%. Theoretical numbers of course and not necessarily 80/20 but the speakers being the higher value in the split. I am not one to buy into the really over the top snake oil stuff. I agree that those hugely expensive items will perhaps get you a percentage point or two, nothing my human ears will notice anyway. I liked the opinions that my separates would be sufficient, something I was hoping to hear. As long as the speaker upgrade alone brings me a significant (to me) improvement, I would be happy with that for now. And I would think the current Gold 300 must be a noticeable improvement over my 20 year old Silver 8’s. |
“ mesch3,305 posts + @onhwy61 . I would listen to the speakers with your current amplification a while to let them settle in and yourself get to know them.Then ask yourself what you wish to improve and search out amplification that will provide desired improvement. What are your sources?
Rega RP3, NAD CD player, NAD receiver |
You ask a pretty simple question. The answer is also really simple. Yes, your amp is plenty good to power the speakers you are thinking of buying. Also, yes, you are likely to get a significant increase in sound quality and bring a big smile on your face. Most of us, early on, got a pretty good sounding system that we enjoyed, and then for the rest of our life would upgrade one component at a time. Typically doing one at a time until reaching “the next level” and stay there enjoying it for a while (for me that is 5 - 7 years… but that varies between people). So, the next step in your process replacing your speakers makes completely good sense. Then after they are broken in and you completely understand their sound… say 500 or more hours (which can easily be a year) you start considering what would be your next step. The listening to your new speakers will drive the decision on what next. If you feel you want more slam or dynamics, then the amp, if you want more natural sound or detail then maybe the preamp… or DAC. Anyway, I think you are right on course. |
@ tomic601 +1! |
@tomic601 +2 |
Agree with others to let the speakers (and your ears) settle in and see if the sound is pointing you in another direction and go from there. I remember your Silver 8s to be pretty solid speakers, so I’d pay close attention when auditioning the Golds to see if they’re offering a really significant performance boost. BTW, I didn’t see what you’re using for a source? |
Hello Neveratisfied. I once bought a highly regarded speaker pair and, on first hearing, wondered what al the fuss was about. I was thinking I had been a fool to buy them. They just needed a bit of "break in." After a week or so the were really singing and I was delighted with them. If you are concerned, take your pre amp and power amp with you and your favorite recorded music. Perhaps you will have to schedule a time when the aren't too busy, but they will know you are a serious customer. You might even want to talke your cables with you. Their demo speakers will be "broken in" and a few minutes of listening will tell you what you want to know. It is a bit of bother, but worth it in the end. Enjoy the music! |
Yes. They have a NAD C368 Integrated amp on hand. That might be close to mine, a little below in fact. I’ll ask them to use that if at all possible. Hopefully they have a display unit. If not I am sure they will have something in the range of my components. I really don’t want to rip mine out as they are nicely installed as far as all the wiring goes. This weekend I will go and have a proper listen to them and see where that leads me. Once again, cheers to you all for the advice. It might be a few weeks but I’ll report back once I’m up and running.
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I've done it both ways, successfully. You are in a very good place to make an upgrade to a forever system, one piece at a time. One piece at a time is the key. I heard speakers that I fell in love with, Magnapan Tympani 1A's. Bought them with the cheapest electronics available. They sounded Great, upgraded electronics to match, bit by bit. Sounded better and better. Later, I had to recover. Had a decent system, like yours, with NAD electronics. Went to the dealer intending to buy Magnpan Tympani IVa' s, one of M's greatest efforts ever. But an ARC preamp made more difference in my system, so that's what I bought. Thing is - upgrade one component at a time so that you don't lose half on resale. Buy it once and buy it right. Worked for me. YMMV |
Most certainly stay with what you have and enjoy the new speakers. Your pre amp/amp are good. Later, when you get the itch, play the upgrade game. Audition: why not take your pre amp and amp to the dealer and ask him to run the speaker with YOURS? Alternatively (best): ask the dealer to take the speakers to YOUR listening room and audition there. |
Don't forget used. There are some pieces that are indestructible, like Bryston electronics with their 20-year warrantee. Sounds very very good, not quite like the very best, but a pretty good approximation. You can buy a 20-year old design for fairly cheap, 2-3K. I use old Bryston (9B-SST) with my new Magnapan / Quad ESL home theatre, because I prefer the sound - a little on the mellow side, can listen for hours and hours, and still want more. I use a 4B-SST for the sub in my audio system, 20-year old design, just coming out of warrantee. Best sub you ever heard, keeps up with my ESL's. Good luck and Enjoy! |
h190’s have had a recent price cut... a steal a current used prices for the performance to be had I’ve seen this brand mentioned a few times. The few high end stores I frequent don’t seem to carry them. I will look around. But the more I read hear, the more I trust I will be happy with the NAD….for now. |
I think the Monitor Audio Gold 300 speakers will allow you to hear the quality of your current NAD amp. If at a point in the future you find an itch to upgrade the amplifier I believe the speakers will be capable of performing at the level of your amplifier upgrade also. I would listen and enjoy with your current amp and then see how you feel about taking any additional steps. |