2. amps-preamps
  3. 150941-135868

What is the right choice?

So I am looking to upgrade from a NAD C356BEE integrated receiver to something that provides better sonic fidelity and a phono connection and onboard DAC. The budget/price point is around $1000 to $1600. So far two different sale people recommend the Yamaha s801. I have also listened to the NAD c368 and c388 with my speakers attached which I have brought to the local dealer for demo.

So I look for reviews and come across Sean from Zero Fidelity who provides an interesting approach for a technology review of audio gear. He conveys a comprehensive look at the technology piece inside and out and leaves you with a pretty thorough understanding of how the Yamaha s801 will sound. A good performing piece just not great. Sean then leaves you with a look at some comparable amps.  The NAD c316BEE and the IOTAVX. The NAD is not worth mentioning relative to this study but the IOTAVX Stack based on all of his reviews is what I should be looking at.

Can anyone share their experience with IOTA's technology and service?

Is this the right step up in fidelity from the NAD c356?

Should I be looking at Arcam, Cambridge, Marantz, Pro-ject and Quad as part of this study? 
 
musicvt

Showing 2 responses by jrpnde

jrpnde
271 posts
 
   I can't speak about other brands of equipment mentioned here but I can speak about NAD and PSB. When I sought to upgrade my system and went with a NAD amp (C375BEE). I used the amp with an existing pair of Klipsch speakers (their top of the line Reference series). The sound was just OK but I didn't think the speakers were doing justice to the amp. Went back to the dealer and heard the amp thru some PSB speakers. What a difference!
   The 375 came with available ports to install a phono and/or a DAC module. I opted for the phono module. Sounded OK but have since employed an outboard phono preamp. It was an improvement. Don't know how the DAC module would sound since my preference is mostly vinyl and CD's.

   The C375BEE I have is an earlier generation than the 388 series. It is analog rather than digital. Funny thing about these amps that you can never look just as power output. When I compared the C326BEE sounded much better musically than the C356BEE with more power. The 375 brought back the musicality of the 326. But neither with the Bluetooth and streaming capabilities of current models.

   So, it all comes down to personal preference of sound and room acoustics. Those who say NAD has a "warm" sound do not have much experience with NAD. My current system is the C375BEE, a pair of PSB Imagine B's and two subs. Good luck in your hunting.


jrpnde
271 posts
 
   mesch...There has been a bit of discussion on this thread about the combination of NAD amps and PSB speakers. I am quite curious about your comment about what you heard with the PSB Synchronys. Before the Imagine line came out the Synchrony line was supposedly the flagship of PSB. I have read a lot of reviews and opinions comparing the two different models and seems that most opinions favor the Synchrony over the Imagine. Since the Synchrony series has been out of production for a while, the only option is in the used market. I just wonder how much they are superior.
   I am using a pair of Imagine B's with a pair of two 10" subs. I would like to stay with the use of the subs so stand mounts would be preferable over floors standers. So, the option would be the Synchrony 1B. The Synchrony 2B is also out there but just a peg down from the 1B. Obviously, auditioning these speakers at a dealer is out and I am wondering if you or any of the others posting on this forum may have first hand experience with comparisons of the two lines.



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