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NAD vs ARAGON

K

KeithL

Active Member
I'm looking for opinions for pre and power options that I have. Let me know what you would pick and why.
I am primarily running tower speakers; Snell Type CV, Revel F30, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v2, Paradigm Eclipse BP or NHT T5 system. Occasionally run Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v2, Green Mountain Europa or Energy RC-10.

NAD C372
NAD C162 preamp with a pair of C272 amplifiers
Aragon 18k preamp with 4004 mkII amplifier
 
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If both are in equal condition, then I'd definitely choose the Aragon. The Aragons are very good sounding units. I like NAD gear, but Aragon is a step up. I'd place Acurus closer to NAD, but, even then, I would likely take the Acurus over NAD. IIRC, the old Protons were NAD's higher end line. Good luck.
 
Aragon, not close.
Regards,
Jim
 
Agreed with what everyone has said.

Own / owned both and its not to say the NAD gear sounds bad. Overall when NAD gear is working properly it sounds good. But its simply not near the build quality of Aragon gear.

Aragon does not use any kind of rail switching power supply. Just big heavy metal linear PS with BIG power caps to match the transformer.

Its why my aragon 2002 is only a 100 watt at 8 ohm amp but weighs nearly 40 lbs. And a similar era NAD amp would weigh 34 lbs but be rated to do 220 watts at 8 ohms or so.

Again NAD isnt some bad gear. Its simply not built to last the way Aragon is. And aragon amps will nearly double down in power as the impedance halves. While not crying in pain as it happens. That simply doesnt happen with gear built with price in mind.

They are what they are and they both do what they were intended for well.

My take
 
I've never heard Aragon or Acurus amps, but I have owned a ton of NAD gear, and an Acurus L10 preamp, and the L10 was killer. A true high end piece of gear, regardless of price. Smooth, clean, balanced, and nuanced. Very realistic sounding. So, Aragon over NAD, by far...! orangeyes.gif
 
I recently had an Aragon 2004 serviced. During testing I was told it did not clip at 8ohms until it hit 190 watts RMS. I'd say it is one heck of a 100 watt @ 8 ohm amp.
 
The Aragon also doubles it's output into 4 Ohm. 400 w/ch. But without question the Aragon is what I would keep. I don't even think one needs to put a Why here.
 
Do you still own an Aragon 24k? I have a PDF of a hand drawn schematic for the preamp and power supply that I got from someone at Mondial to identify the value of R100 but it's almost illegible. That resistor is burnt open. If you could measure the value and get it to me that would be great.
Thanks,
Eddie
 
bhunter said:
If both are in equal condition, then I'd definitely choose the Aragon. The Aragons are very good sounding units. I like NAD gear, but Aragon is a step up. I'd place Acurus closer to NAD, but, even then, I would likely take the Acurus over NAD. IIRC, the old Protons were NAD's higher end line. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Proton was a different company, their gear is similar to the NAD of the era, as both were built by the same OEM manufacturer as NAD used, a little bit different styling. A competitor to NAD, not a higher end NAD. Similar quality. Aragon I'd choose over NAD, nicer overall.
 
Audiofoolz said:
Do you still own an Aragon 24k? I have a PDF of a hand drawn schematic for the preamp and power supply that I got from someone at Mondial to identify the value of R100 but it's almost illegible. That resistor is burnt open. If you could measure the value and get it to me that would be great.
Thanks,
Eddie
Click to expand...
Hi Eddie, could you please share with me the aragon 24K SP and power supply schematic? Appreciated in advance,
Benji
 
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