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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
neversatisfied
boxcarman
317 posts
 

Survey says.......Your amp is good enough. Yet, like others say, listen until the new speakers are broken in well.  Then, consider the plethora of better amps out there.  Upgrading is part of our fun is this hobby.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
drrsutliff
834 posts
 

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.  

tunehead's avatar
tunehead
151 posts
 

@neversatisfied 

I really don’t want to rip mine out as they are nicely installed as far as all the wiring goes.

 

How about take your existing speakers to A/B with the new speakers (if dealer allows). Use their same electronics to compare. This should tell you if there is enough difference worth it to you.

neversatisfied OP
69 posts
 

How about take your existing speakers to A/B with the new speakers (if dealer allows). Use their same electronics to compare. This should tell you if there is enough difference worth it to you.
 

Yes, I was actually thinking that. I just might. I’ll go once this weekend and see what I can set up as far as having a listen goes. 

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
443 posts
 

Congratulations, The MA Gold 300 5Gs have only won like 6 major international awards. In other words, they're pretty awesome. They're also relatively efficient and relatively low impedance, both of which play well into your current amps strengths, which include 400W/Ch@4Ohm dynamic power. You don't need more power. 

The MA Gold 300 5Gs will require some break-in, and while not difficult to place need to be away from the back wall to avoid muddy mid-bass, which can be mitigated to some degree by using one or both of the port bungs. They will also respond to some degree of toe-in to focus the image and soundstage. Note that blocking the upper or lower port can matter a lot, especially to keep vocals from getting 'too thick'. On my MAs, in my room, blocking the lower port worked best.

If you haven't done any acoustical treatment to your room, I would do that long before upgrading your electronics. Your system easily justifies that, and you will be amazed at the results.

Once again, great speakers, congratulations.

 

 

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