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NAD PP2 pre amp, any good ?
- Thread starter Zodia
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Based on the research that I did about it -- I came to the conclusion that while it's a good unit it didn't best the Cambridge 640p at slightly more coin. Slightly being defined here as about $50 difference new ($US) or between (total cost)120(115)-140 used...if you could hold out for one of those that would be my recommendation.
PR Audio
Super Member
Did your research included the fact that the PP2 is more similar to CA's 540p? And, that NAD's new PP3 is the one that goes head to head against 640p?
PP2 is a very good phono pre, at an affordable price.
But so is the Cambridge 640P at not much more; so just as affordable.
I hadn't heard about the PP3 so it didn't come into consideration. I considered the units within a given price and to me the 640p made the cut. The difference in performance between the PP2 and the 640P made the decision easy, especially since the price difference is small. The NAD PP3 has a retail of 199$US and the main claim to fame is the USB connectivity -- the specs of the 640P still come out ahead... It's cheaper and quieter.
The reading that I've done about the 540P seems to indicate that those who tried it wished they'd the higher unit. So I dropped it from consideration early.
G'day all, just as an aside, although I have no personal experience with any of the phono stages in this thread, I get the feeling that most if not all of the 'typical' modern designs use a basic op amp approach with full feedback RIAA eq.
That circuit approach works well, however I personally feel that either 'full passive' and/ or hybrid (part active/ part passive eq) approaches like my beloved ESP P06 or the excellent Hagerman Bugle, have the sonic edge. Regards, Felix aka catman.
That circuit approach works well, however I personally feel that either 'full passive' and/ or hybrid (part active/ part passive eq) approaches like my beloved ESP P06 or the excellent Hagerman Bugle, have the sonic edge. Regards, Felix aka catman.
Zodia
Super Member
I am using a m97xe on a AR the turntable with the jelco tonearm, into a Onkyo TX SR602 without phono input, i am currently using a Vanco phono pre, it doesn't sound too bad (to me at least) but would like better, and with my budget of $100, the NAD was going to be my first choice, eventhough it is slightly over my price range.
Catman, thank you for your insight, although i would love to have one of the pre amps you described, they are out of my league, price being the main factor, i've read some of your reviews, and followed some of your threads, and i find that anything DYI is better than anything pre made, it's just...i don't have the time, patience, or the cash to invest on a project like a dyi pre amp, i say this because i know myself, i don't like to cut corners, and would go for the best components.
Thank you all for your replies, i will try to get a demo of the NAD pp2, if possible, at least to get an idea of how it may sound, and look into the Cambridge p640.
Catman, thank you for your insight, although i would love to have one of the pre amps you described, they are out of my league, price being the main factor, i've read some of your reviews, and followed some of your threads, and i find that anything DYI is better than anything pre made, it's just...i don't have the time, patience, or the cash to invest on a project like a dyi pre amp, i say this because i know myself, i don't like to cut corners, and would go for the best components.
Thank you all for your replies, i will try to get a demo of the NAD pp2, if possible, at least to get an idea of how it may sound, and look into the Cambridge p640.
Rega mini Fono
Would second the endorsement of the Rega mini Fono ($145.00 list). A lot of the competition can sound a little wirey on the top end - at least in my system and to my old ears. The mini Fono is extremely detailed - surprisingly so in the bass range - without being fatiguing - a pretty good trick in this price range. I have fed a Grado into the one I'm listening to - the results are very satisfactory.
To provide some perspective to this - I'm thoroughly familiar with the Vanco - sold these decades ago in some quantity. You are in for a real pleasure because ALL of the alternatives are going to sound way better than the Vanco - in every aspect of LP reproduction. Get ready to start hauling your LP's out and having the "I didn't know that was there" experience. This improvement may be the biggest step you're going to make in this wacky hobby - ever.
Would second the endorsement of the Rega mini Fono ($145.00 list). A lot of the competition can sound a little wirey on the top end - at least in my system and to my old ears. The mini Fono is extremely detailed - surprisingly so in the bass range - without being fatiguing - a pretty good trick in this price range. I have fed a Grado into the one I'm listening to - the results are very satisfactory.
To provide some perspective to this - I'm thoroughly familiar with the Vanco - sold these decades ago in some quantity. You are in for a real pleasure because ALL of the alternatives are going to sound way better than the Vanco - in every aspect of LP reproduction. Get ready to start hauling your LP's out and having the "I didn't know that was there" experience. This improvement may be the biggest step you're going to make in this wacky hobby - ever.
lini
just me...
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
The PP3 is a PP2 with a USB interface and A/D converter.
PR Audio
Super Member
Fair enough, but be advised that PP2 can be had new for much less ,usually around $120.00.
Thanks for the info...
melofelo
Addicted Member
i run a nad pp1 and have been pretty impressed with it over the years...i'd be tempted by the cambrdge 640p though if i were looking to upgrade..but wouldn't discount the pp2 either at the right price..
i think at this end of the market you're still better off sinking money into your source before going too mad on a phono stage..
when the original pp1 was reviewed in hi-fi news by ken kessler in 1994 ..it was tested with a source which didn't leave much change from £1500..and concluded that it was a good buy for the money (approx £40 here in the uk @ circa 1994 prices)..not as good as the £200 phono stages at the time..but still good enough to warrant keeping the lion share of your front end budget BEFORE the phono stage..:scratch2:
i think at this end of the market you're still better off sinking money into your source before going too mad on a phono stage..
when the original pp1 was reviewed in hi-fi news by ken kessler in 1994 ..it was tested with a source which didn't leave much change from £1500..and concluded that it was a good buy for the money (approx £40 here in the uk @ circa 1994 prices)..not as good as the £200 phono stages at the time..but still good enough to warrant keeping the lion share of your front end budget BEFORE the phono stage..:scratch2:
leepal
Active Member
I just bought a PP2 from the auction site and am waiting for delivery of it....I'm not exactly sure why I got it seeing as both my amps have phono inputs...I suppose I just want to see if it makes any difference and it might come in handy in the future if I get an MC cart or amp with no phono stage.
eb2jim
Super Member
I give another nod to the PP1. I have used one with my NAD receiver for a few years, and it is a straight and good preamp that works great when you don't have a phono stage. It has an added benefit in that it tends to get overlooked when a PP2 or PP3 are out there. I paid less than $75 for mine used.
Classic_CJ
Well-Known Member
One thing I like about the PP2 is that based on bench measurements I did a while back for a friend who was considering buying one as opposed to a Pro-Ject model in the same modestly-priced range is that it seems to have subsonic filtering built in (the Pro-Ject did not-- output continued to be nearly flat down to about 5 Hz, the lower limit of my generator). Warped records and some other sources of rumble are a fact of life with vinyl playback, and very few newer preamps and receivers are including the subsonic filter as part of their design like they did routinely in days of yore.
The PP2 uses through-hole parts mounting rather than surface mount, and so is very easy to service if it ever needs it. It's extremely quiet and has very low distortion, although the Pro-Ject I tested did well in those regards also.
My friend ended up with the PP2 as it seemed to work better with his Ortofon cartridge; he described the bass as being much tighter and cleaner with the PP2, which frankly I attribute to the subsonic filter.
I'd be happy with one, but I already have a preamp with a very good phono section built in.
The PP2 uses through-hole parts mounting rather than surface mount, and so is very easy to service if it ever needs it. It's extremely quiet and has very low distortion, although the Pro-Ject I tested did well in those regards also.
My friend ended up with the PP2 as it seemed to work better with his Ortofon cartridge; he described the bass as being much tighter and cleaner with the PP2, which frankly I attribute to the subsonic filter.
I'd be happy with one, but I already have a preamp with a very good phono section built in.
The DB-8 is my pick for budget phono stage, though it's over the OP's $100 budget. I have a PP-2 and it is not up to the DB-8's performance. The DB-8 has soundstage depth, width, and timbral accuracy that rivals that of my vintage preamps, while being much more quiet. It stoof up very well to the phono stage in my modern Marantz reference series preamp as well, and I could see somebody subjectively preferring it even though the Marantz has a nice preamp.
The PP-2 is a perfectly good phono preamp at it's price point, but it is bettered by others for slightly more money, and completely outclassed by the DB-8.
