NAD Preamp

I owned and loved NAD equipment for several years, but nearly each and every piece needed service, some in warranty, some just beyond.

Just a suggestion that you add a price range and what features and sound characteristics you want (i.e. remote, phono stage, balanced, pure analog, built in dac).  One person’s “reasonably priced” is $500, another’s is $5,000.  

I've owned the NAD c165BEE preamp since new for almost four years and its been completely trouble free and very well made. As far as sound quality is concerned, I think it sounds real good and is very neutral. I also have tube preamp in another system and occasionally switch between the two systems. I can tell the tubes add the so-called warmth and glow to the sound and the voices/midrange is more pronounced but the NAD is just more balanced across the board. If you like a neutral sounding preamp the NAD is a good choice. It has a lot of features that much more expensive preamps offer, like relay switched inputs, class A input, high quality motorized volume control, etc.   

Thanks to all.  The price range  ..I would like to keep around 1K.  I listen to my music loud thru a signal processor and AR 303a's  Mainly classic rock.. I'm replacing an Adcom 555 that crapped out. I'm guess I'd like the music less Neutral and more "musical"  I want to continue to use the signal processor with whatever I buy.  Again, Thanks for responses!

i'd opt for a parasound 2100 or p5--nice gear which will match your amp

I tried the Parasound P5 before settling on the NAD. To my ears the NAD sounded better; better soundstage and better bass. Its currently paired with my Vincent SP-331 amp and the combination is relatively "musical" with help from the tube input stage in the Vincent. You may want to consider a tube preamp with the A21 to warm up the SS sound. A fairly popular combination.

The P5 is not half the preamp the P7 is. I'm afraid I can't recommend it at the price point. 

What about a DAC/Pre ? 

Best,

E

Consider a used tube pre. Jolida or Quicksilver. 

I would have to echo an earlier post and tell you to steer clear of NAD.  They have to have the worst, or close to the worst, quality control in the business.  I have had to return no fewer than 3 pre amp/dac/integrated because of silly stuff breaking.  In warranty so i guess it is good i did not lose money, but the aggravation of yet another piece of nad gear failing is simply not worth it imho.