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How to spend $535 on an amp? NAD separates or C326BEE?

rileysaudio

rileysaudio

Active Member
I'm really not sure where to go right now. I have $535 to spend on an amplifier (and possibly a preamp too) right now (new or used). There's a 216THX amplifier and 116 preamplifier for $500. I can also get a C 272 amplifier for $430. I can pick up a C 326BEE integrated amplifier for $380. I am going to be powering JBL L100t3's or Polk Audio SDA 2B's (not simultaneously). I listen to just about everything besides pop and country. I listen to alternative, rock, some hip-hop, electronic, some jazz, and even a little dubstep.

I am leaning towards a NAD amp but am most definitely open to other ideas new or used. So, my question is, which NAD setup should I get (NAD 216THX/116, NAD C326BEE int., NAD C272 amp), or does anyone have any recommendations for an amplifier I could buy for under $535?
 
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The C326BEE is rated at 50 watts per channel and that may be enough for your listening taste with the speakers you have. What is nice about it is that it does have preamp out connections to let you add a more powerful amplifier later on if you wish.
 
But is the C326BEE a better choice than the 216THX amp and 116 preamp combo? The C326BEE puts out 50 watts/channel and the 216THX 125/channel. But I'm still thinking sound wise. Which would sound better?
 
rileysaudio said:
But is the C326BEE a better choice than the 216THX amp and 116 preamp combo? The C326BEE puts out 50 watts/channel and the 216THX 125/channel. But I'm still thinking sound wise. Which would sound better?
Click to expand...

I can't answer your last question, but I bought a 326BEE last year and I'm pretty happy with it - I also payed full-price for it btw. I think the most important thing I can tell you with regards to power is that this amp seems a lot more powerful than it's rated. Next to my Outlaw 2150 receiver, which is rated 100wpc, the NAD seems to drive difficult speakers with more ease. I don't know why that would be, but it's a pretty obvious difference.

I find the sound generally neutral, perhaps a little sterile if compared to better amps, but only a little, so take that with a huge grain of salt. For the money you might be hard-pressed to do any better. Some find the NAD a little warm sounding, but that's not what I hear in my system.

At the price you mentioned, I think it's a deal. Otherwise, I'd start looking at the used market for something reputable.
 
check the Onkyo M-282

A friend of mine bought the Onkyo M-282, 100wpc 2 channel amp, for under $200 from Amazon. Might be something to look into - then you need a preamp.
 
The Mcintosh MC-250s can usually be had for around 500, personally, i would buy a 250 and save for an equally nice preamp. Dont let the 50 w.p.c. rating fool you the 250 will usually bench test at around 70-75 watts
 
rileysaudio said:
But is the C326BEE a better choice than the 216THX amp and 116 preamp combo? The C326BEE puts out 50 watts/channel and the 216THX 125/channel. But I'm still thinking sound wise. Which would sound better?
Click to expand...

Every successive generation of NAD products has a clearer and cleaner sound, less grain if you will. More natural and open. The C326BEE won't have the grunt of a power amp but when setup well (change out the preamp jumpers) with appropriate speakers and good quality cables (do not read as expensive) it will be the better sounding piece.
 
You can pick up a used B&K ST-140 (MOSFET) amplifier, for between
$150-$250.
Hafler, Adcom, Parasound, and NAD make decent amps that sell rather cheaply on the used market also.
Used pre-amps are a dime-a-dozen:

Hafler
B&K
Parasound
Dynaco
NAD
...........................................................................

Steve
 
NAD is known for having lots of headroom. So even though it is rated at 50 wpc it will probably be able to handle peak loads of up to say 90 wpc (check its specifications). And as mentioned before you can always add a different, more powerful amp later if you feel the need and just use the unit as a preamp. But that probably won't be necessary.
 
I do not recommend trying to use a NAD integrated as a preamp. The gain on the preamp stage is very high and you will have difficulty with volume control, especially at lower listening levels.
 
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