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Nad c356bee

NAD has my attention, as does the Yamaha integrateds that are currently available. Anything in that price range would be excellent choices, and for someone who's addicted to receivers I'm anxious to own my first good integrated. I had a Pioneer SX-9500 in the early 90's before I had speakers worthy of a heavy hitter like that, so needless to say I was stupid and sold it. Yet another desperate move by the king of desperation liquidators...THAT would make my Fortes sing!
 
NAD PP375 Phono Preamp

Last week I ordered the NAD PP375 MDC Phono preamp. I just installed it and giving it first listens this weekend. I will report my impressions later....for now back to vinyl :banana:

PP375a.jpg
 
NAD MDC PP375 Impressions

Well I spent all weekend listening to vinyl and this NAD P375 phono stage. I was looking for a quick, inexpensive upgrade solution to my Audio Technica LP120 TT which has a built in preamp since it is a USB model. Especially since I just bought the Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge, which is amazing BTW!

The internal AT LP-120 preamp is decent, but still noisy. This NAD phono stage has really cleaned up the TT quite a bit. It is one of NAD MDC components designed for use on the C356BEE and C375BEE integrated amps. What it also does is eliminate the need for a power source and additional cables, since it installs inside the amp and connects to the motherboard.
It accepts both MM and MC with an earthground screw, there is a switch for MM or MC, gold plated RCA plugs. The module is made very well, nice metal enclosure so it has substance, no plastic at all. It connects very easily, simply remove the amp cover and they supply a ribbon style connection cord between the phono stage and the motherboard, 2 screws, replace the cover and your all set.

Right off the bat I noticed a much bigger soundstage, clarity and specifically detail. The lows are really nice and warm, carried over nicely from the Nagaoka, nothing seems to get lost, overall dynamic range seems to have improved quite a bit.
I originally was running the TT via its Line Out setting, to my TubeDAC11 analog in and then Tube Out to the NAD. I can sense a bit of loss due to the tube not in the mix anymore, but I figure the trade off will be pretty good in about 50 hours of breakin time, already sense improvement.

More music is coming off the vinyl. I spun my Legacy label audiophile 180g copy of Miles Davis-Bitches Brew, I heard "noises" I had not heard before, same with Genesis-Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and right now Yes-Fragile.......That tells me this NAD/Nagaoka combo is working nicely.

Like I said this is a real nice quick improvement and not a ton of money either, very well spent money...more for less!

I am still researching a new TT and I suppose once I get a new one a new phono stage might be needed...but for now I am pretty happy with the sound, actually very well pleased.
I do have to say, except for the high wow&flutter spec, this ATLP-120 TT is pretty nice, it certainly performs well above its price.

One of my most favorite albums is also one of my worst sounding, I don't have the remastered vinyl version, but this NAD/Nagaoka combo is making Genesis-Selling England By the Pound sound much, much better!

Its all coming together nicely......the progression continues!

Here are a few pics......Cheers!

PP375b.jpg


PP375c.jpg


PP375d.jpg
 
Nice write up! That should help anyone who is on the fence about the C356BEE or C375BEE, especially if they are LP lovers, make an informed decision.
 
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^ You know what was cool? Last night I also spun Michael Jackson-Off the Wall! Had not spun that in probably 5yrs+.....All the percussion he uses, noises, sounded so crystal clear, I almost busted out the disco ball!
 
Catcher10 said:
^ You know what was cool? Last night I also spun Michael Jackson-Off the Wall! Had not spun that in probably 5yrs+.....All the percussion he uses, noises, sounded so crystal clear, I almost busted out the disco ball!
Click to expand...

A well mastered cut. The only way I enjoy music anymore. I am listening to hi-res 24/192 Miles Davis "Bitches Brew". The imaging is so good that the cat is spooked!
 
MWalt said:
A well mastered cut. The only way I enjoy music anymore. I am listening to hi-res 24/192 Miles Davis "Bitches Brew". The imaging is so good that the cat is spooked!
Click to expand...

I have the Legacy label 180g audiophile edition.....Its brilliant, much better than my old CD copy.
I bet that 24/192 sounds awesome on the Simaudio
 
Been listening to digital and vinyl since about 9am, working from home today. Absolutely ZERO ear fatigue from the NAD, I am sooo glad I chose this amp, very pleased. It has all the power I need, options and is clean and neat. Very quiet, only noise I hear is from my noisy TT....But that has even been quieted some with the NAD PP375 phono stage, it has a nice rumble filter which is helping.
Spinning right now side one "Thick As A Brick"......brilliant!

Also I have had the NAD direct plugged to the wall outlet for about 2 weeks now.....I am warming up to this option as I think it is working to give better sound, seems when the amp needs amperes it has no problem getting them, I will leave it this way for longer time.

....back to the music :music:
 
Catcher10 said:
Been listening to digital and vinyl since about 9am, working from home today. Absolutely ZERO ear fatigue from the NAD, I am sooo glad I chose this amp, very pleased. It has all the power I need, options and is clean and neat. Very quiet, only noise I hear is from my noisy TT....But that has even been quieted some with the NAD PP375 phono stage, it has a nice rumble filter which is helping.
Spinning right now side one "Thick As A Brick"......brilliant!

Also I have had the NAD direct plugged to the wall outlet for about 2 weeks now.....I am warming up to this option as I think it is working to give better sound, seems when the amp needs amperes it has no problem getting them, I will leave it this way for longer time.

....back to the music :music:
Click to expand...

Glad you enjoy, Nad is indeed a sure value.
 
Catcher10 said:
Been listening to digital and vinyl since about 9am, working from home today. Absolutely ZERO ear fatigue from the NAD, I am sooo glad I chose this amp, very pleased. It has all the power I need, options and is clean and neat. Very quiet, only noise I hear is from my noisy TT....But that has even been quieted some with the NAD PP375 phono stage, it has a nice rumble filter which is helping.
Spinning right now side one "Thick As A Brick"......brilliant!

Also I have had the NAD direct plugged to the wall outlet for about 2 weeks now.....I am warming up to this option as I think it is working to give better sound, seems when the amp needs amperes it has no problem getting them, I will leave it this way for longer time.

....back to the music :music:
Click to expand...

I love reading about folks who have found satisfaction in their system. Enjoy the music!
 
Thanks for the great write up, and congrats on the new NAD(s)! I've owned 8 or 9 NAD amps, preamps, and integrateds over the years, and for the most part they have all been very solid pieces. One of my firsts (which I still have) was the 3240PE, I think it was an upgrade, at the time, from a Pioneer SA5800, and I was immediately blown away by the "Power Envelope". That was my first time I ever grasped the concept of Dynamic Headroom. Generally speaking, all of the other NADs I've owned had that same "powerband, turbo boost, brass balls" or however you want to paraphrase dynamic headroom. They just innately have the ability to really push speakers (within their respective RMS range) to their full potential.

I've always used the analogy that NAD is to sound as Macanudo is to cigars, not for everyone, but pleasant, respectable, and acceptable in most situations.

As for B&W speakers and NAD, I wasn't terribly impressed with the synergy. It wasn't as off-putting as the time I tried to power my L112's with my Mac MC2100, but it was no Rotel. If you are considering B&W's, I would suggest Rotel or Musical Fidelity. Maybe there's something to the geographical proximity of manufacture, but for my Matrix 805's, Rotel RB980BX has been the best combo I've found. Just my 2cents, and it IS totally subjective.

After reading to the end of this thread, it looks like you have stuck with Epos,:thmbsp:. I've never heard any that I can recall, but I can imagine that they sound as nice as they look.

The NAD Phono stage sure is a cool lil' bugger. I've seen them around, but I thought they were strictly external. That's pretty dang slick how it just bolts right in there! I'm gonna have to keep an eye out for one of those. Yet another thing to love about NAD.... I delved into Home theater a few years ago, and I remember one of the flagship NAD surround receivers having a slot where you could insert a card or something to update the surround processing modes as they evolved. I thought (and still think) that was such a great idea.

I am very happy to see another person truly enjoying some of their stuff, they have made quite a name for themselves, and I think they'll be around for awhile and hopefully continuing to put out quality components at a reasonable price.
 
budgophille said:
Thanks for the great write up, and congrats on the new NAD(s)! I've owned 8 or 9 NAD amps, preamps, and integrateds over the years, and for the most part they have all been very solid pieces. One of my firsts (which I still have) was the 3240PE, I think it was an upgrade, at the time, from a Pioneer SA5800, and I was immediately blown away by the "Power Envelope". That was my first time I ever grasped the concept of Dynamic Headroom. Generally speaking, all of the other NADs I've owned had that same "powerband, turbo boost, brass balls" or however you want to paraphrase dynamic headroom. They just innately have the ability to really push speakers (within their respective RMS range) to their full potential.

I've always used the analogy that NAD is to sound as Macanudo is to cigars, not for everyone, but pleasant, respectable, and acceptable in most situations.

As for B&W speakers and NAD, I wasn't terribly impressed with the synergy. It wasn't as off-putting as the time I tried to power my L112's with my Mac MC2100, but it was no Rotel. If you are considering B&W's, I would suggest Rotel or Musical Fidelity. Maybe there's something to the geographical proximity of manufacture, but for my Matrix 805's, Rotel RB980BX has been the best combo I've found. Just my 2cents, and it IS totally subjective.

After reading to the end of this thread, it looks like you have stuck with Epos,:thmbsp:. I've never heard any that I can recall, but I can imagine that they sound as nice as they look.

The NAD Phono stage sure is a cool lil' bugger. I've seen them around, but I thought they were strictly external. That's pretty dang slick how it just bolts right in there! I'm gonna have to keep an eye out for one of those. Yet another thing to love about NAD.... I delved into Home theater a few years ago, and I remember one of the flagship NAD surround receivers having a slot where you could insert a card or something to update the surround processing modes as they evolved. I thought (and still think) that was such a great idea.

I am very happy to see another person truly enjoying some of their stuff, they have made quite a name for themselves, and I think they'll be around for awhile and hopefully continuing to put out quality components at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

Thanks bud---
The Epic 2 are doing a nice job so far....I am not missing much compared to the B&W CM1s....The $$ trade off is weighted heavily to the Epic 2s. They are also able to handle all the different genres of music I throw at them. From all the odd time signature prog rock to heavy percussive R&B to brassy Miles and Coltrane, the NAD also love prog rock and jazz.

Once I replace my CDP and find a new TT, then I can work on the smaller tweaks like PCs and interconnects.

Ohh...and also the NAD PP375 phono is an MDC component designed for the C375BEE and C356BEE amps, it connects to the motherboard via a ribbon plug. Don't think will work on other amps.
 
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Many thanks for showing us the installation of the PP375 module. VERY cool! Congrats on your system!
 
I continue to be blown away at the sonic impressions I am getting from my NAD C356BEE. Yesterday and today I have been cranking the tunes pretty loud, album side lengths at a time.
My wife does not care, she just comments when I come upstairs for air....."rocking out, huh honey!" I just give her the universal rock sign :rockon: !!

Detail, soundstage, separation, lows are all amazing....The Epos like it loud too.

I am a very happy camper!
:music:
 
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