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NAD 356 or 375?

T

Tsurara

New Member
Hi All,

I recently was looking to upgrade my amp from an Onkyo A-9050 and really liked how NAD amps sounded. I am currently using B&W 684 floor standing speakers and have narrowed it down to the following amps from my local audio shop:

NAD 356 w/ DAC (Refurbished)
NAD 375 w/ DAC & Phono (Used, but appears to be in very good shape)

Both are similar in price, with the 375 only being $100 more, but obviously there is a lot out on the internet about NAD reliability. I feel like the 375 is a better bang for the buck, but obviously it being used brings some questions whereas with the 356 I'd have coverage for a year.

Any thoughts on what one would do in a similar situation? Thanks.
 
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No expert here, but so far as I know, a lot of the reliability issues you cite have been floating around from several years ago, and NAD has tightened up since. Whatever the case, I've got a few NAD items that are rock solid. I like the idea of buying refurbed, and each of mine were refurbed, but you'd never know it when you open the package.

Other than the $100 difference between the two you're considering, you didn't mention a budget. I see Spearit Sound has a refurbed 375 at $999 (and it might be worthwhile to make an offer...). If it was my decision, I'd try to go that way.

Welcome to the forum, and let us know how things shake out.

Edit: Sorry, I just realized you had said "local shop". In that case, it would just be a matter of seeing what kind of warranty the shop would give you.
 
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From what I recall there is a fair difference in power rating between. Your playing volume, speaker sensitivity, room size and accoustics that you are familiar with, might affect your choice. If you need or want more headroom (power).
I'm not familiar with the sensitivity rating (efficiency) of your B&W's. Whether they need that extra power.
BTW, welcome to AK.
 
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I would go with the with the NAD 375. I own the NAD 356 and am very happy with it but it runs out of steam. Also the NAD 375 has trickle down technology from the top of the line NAD masters series. Plus if you had to purchase the DAC/Phono Modules each would cost about 199. I have B&W 685 bookshelf speakers and they just start to come alive with the NAD 356. In hind sight I wish i would have gotten the NAD 375 myself but at the time could not afford the extra money. If it were up to me I would get the NAD 375, the B&W 684's would like the extra power.Your Onkyo I believe is rated at 75 wpc's. The NAD 375 has double the power which would have a 3Db increase,however it has way more headroom than the Onkyo. Also ask the shop for a 1 year warranty on the NAD 375. Reliability was an issue in the 80's/90's.
 
Thanks all, appreciate the feedback and thanks for the welcome.

Todd: To answer some of your questions... my budget is around $700 and the 356 was $650 while the 375 was $750. The 356 comes with a 1yr and the 375 is a standard 30 days. With that said, I tested the 375 in store and appears to work as expected. Given that I would be spending about $1100+ for a refurb 375 w/ DAC I may just go that way, especially since it seems like the reliability problems I am hearing of are from NAD units of long ago.

Thanks again everyone! Really looking forward to hearing what my speakers can do.
 
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