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NAD PP2e. a class champion?

manyhobbies

manyhobbies

Weldsferatu
After hearing lots of good reviews, and how Michael Fremer was so "surprised" by the NAD PP2 I decided to give it a try. I have been looking for an acceptable phono stage on a budget for several years. During this time I have owned the Cambridge 551, 651 and the Pro-ject phono box s. To say that I've been surprised by the NAD PP2e would be an understatement. I've only had it for 2 days and am quite amazed by the sound. From the minute I hooked it up I thought, hey this sounds good, this sounds really good. Before the NAD, the 651 was getting all the time in my system. Now I have no intention of taking the PP2e out. It's staying. Anyone else had this experience with this phono stage? Or is it some type of "synergy" from mating it up with the NAD 375? This thing just sounds awesome IMHO. A keeper.... Dire Straits, Brothers in arms,,,, (playing now),,,, sounds, "Oh so sweet" through this stage.
 
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I have used and still own the PP2 and upgraded the power supply. I used it with a Carver PM-300 power amp that had variable channel controls. I liked it and still do. It doesn't have a way to control the signal going into the power amp and I use the Carver M400a, so I can't use it with my current configuration.

I might try it through my C1 preamp.
 
Nad

I am using a NAD 1155 preamp in my system and the phono section is absolutely fantastic. It offers MC/MM options and select capacitance.
 
I stuck one in the kitchen between a B&O MMC3 and a Nad L40 CD/Receiver into B&W 801/80s and am quite impressed by it's performance and low noise.
I should take it downstairs and try it with a low output movie coil; I bet it would be pretty good even on that!
 
I just pulled the PP2 out, and swapped in the Cambridge 651. I just wanted to confirm what I heard yesterday. After a couple times of doing this, I can say it's very close. But. Yes. The PP2 sounds better. It just has more detail, and "life" around the vocals. And the entire stage just sounds more dynamic. And I finally realize what people mean when they talk about a phono stages "timing". The NAD sounds much better timed. Like everything is in it's place. If that makes any sense.
 
Hmmmm, tell me if I'm wrong, however changing the OP Amps in these would affect timing. I was looking at the PP2 though opted for the CA 651p as its meant to be close to the PP2 unmodified. I'll changing the OP Amps soon however, I may even upgrade the caps down the track too....
 
Myself, I honestly have no idea about OP amps. I know absolutely nothing about the technical side of electronics. But I have been able to pick up the meaning of all of the specs on audio equipment, and how they interact with each other, over the years. I just feel that the NAD sounds quicker, like everything is "in time". The 651 Sounds great as well. And honestly I didn't expect the NAD to best it. But it does. IMHO
 
I'm wondering just how much difference the Ortofon 2M Bronze makes in this comparison? I would guess a lot. Perhaps the PP2 hits a "sweet" spot with he 2M. grottyash. What Rega did you get? I was thinking of going up to the fono, before I decided to give this price range another try. If nothing else, this has shown me where the bottleneck is in my system now.
 
manyhobbies said:
Myself, I honestly have no idea about OP amps. I know absolutely nothing about the technical side of electronics. But I have been able to pick up the meaning of all of the specs on audio equipment, and how they interact with each other, over the years. I just feel that the NAD sounds quicker, like everything is "in time". The 651 Sounds great as well. And honestly I didn't expect the NAD to best it. But it does. IMHO
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Yeah, I don't know electronics either however I've looked at discussion surrounding updating the 640p. Almost identical internally to the 651p. Either AD8066 or LM4562 should sound great for the input stage and either OPA637 or OPA2134 for output stage should yield a more detailed and warmer sound than the stock OP AMPS do. I'm leaning towards using AD8066 + OPA2134 as that should give me great detail and good controlled bass and the Burr Browns should warm things up a bit.

I went to this after using a Yaqin MS23B. The Yaqin has a nicer, more detailed and musical sound, seeming 3D and very dynamic (with Tung Sols in it anyway). The 651p on the other hand provides a cleaner sound with no hum so it's my used on my main setup with the Yaqin used in my bedroom (with a my Hitachi TH-354 TT, SMSL SA-50 T-Amp & Polk TSi100 speakers) instead.
 
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I really enjoy my PP2i, and it has kept me spinning vinyl since the phono stage on my Sansui Au-517 started acting up.

It's also nice to see that others like it as much as I do. Many of the other phono preamp threads bashed the NAD unfairly IMHO. It sounds great, accommodates MM and MC carts, and the build quality is outstanding for the price. The metal enclosure feels bombproof!
 
I have been using a pp2 with my NAD receiver for a while. It replaced my PP1 when it started to get noisy. I did trace down the noise (crummy solder) but was very happy with the Pp2. It stays there and works great. It sounds "right."
 
manyhobbies said:
After hearing lots of good reviews, and how Michael Fremer was so "surprised" by the NAD PP2 I decided to give it a try.
Click to expand...

I've been using this pre-amp for quite awhile and am very happy with it. ..To my ears (which measure quite well and have a keen sense nuance honed by years of playing/ listening to recorded and live music) it sounds every bit as good as the phono pre-amp built into my McIntosh MA6600 integrated amp. ..I use it b/c the interconnects on my Turntable can't quite reach the McIntosh. So I have the pre-amp situated b/w the TT and the Mac.

Here's my take. The distortion levels of modern day phono pre-amps are so low that they will sound pretty much alike provided they are engineered to be linear. Indeed, the phono pre-amp on my Onkyo AVR is indistinguishable from my Mac or my NAD. ..And this was true of the NAD 375Bee I had before the mac. I bet if you DBT'd your NAD and Cambridge you would pick the right one about 1/2 of the time :)
 
Just got this PP2e and it sounds great. Very detailed and balanced. Been testing it with V15 IV, Signet MR5.0b, AT30E (mc)...
 
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