2. amps-preamps
  3. 187320-186532

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
neversatisfied OP
69 posts
 

Yes thank you kairosman. I’m already doing my on line shopping and reading reviews in preparation. Cheers!

immatthewj
1,377 posts
 

To me watts are watts

I don't know any of the equipment you are running and buying, but regardless, I found this to be an interesting and informative (not to mention civil) discussion.  I will only chime in to add that not all watts are created equal.

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

I am no different than most of us here. It’s an addiction. No doubt further upgrades will happen. But I will spend some time with the new speakers first, letting them break in. Then we will see.

I may add a slightly higher grade of speaker wire to go with them even though something in my brain still wonders if that’s snake oil. I have a set of Audioquest Type 4 on my Silvers now. Maybe bump them up and move the old Type 4 down to my Focal towers in my home theatre setup.

my take is your aq type 4’s are just fine for where you are with your system, with the nice new speakers, just make sure they have solid contact on both ends... enjoy the process, glad you are taking time at each step, understand the impact of each change otherwise confusion will reign

neversatisfied OP
69 posts
 

I was almost about to order the Arcam SA30, and might still do so as it’s on a great sale price until the end of December. However, I just received a reply to an email I had sent to Monitor Audio in the UK. They said I should be good to go with the NAD C275bee .They claim that it puts out sufficient wattage to “comfortably drive the 300’s”

I am hoping the speakers come in with at least a few days to listen to them. And if I have the desire for an amp upgrade I can grab the SA30 before the sale ends. $1000 off is too hard to pass up. Plus my thinking is that it probably has a more musical preamp section than my C165bee.

jl35
3,938 posts
 

In some sense the question is "is good enough good enough"...you certainly can get better, but at what price? Did you compare the Arcam to the NAD ?    There is no question your NAD is "good enough"...

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