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NAD - Where's the bass?

Chris __R

Chris __R

Well-Known Member
Hi all - I'm wondering if NAD components have a generally "lighter" bass relative to other vintage amps/receivers.

I have been running both a Marantz 1060 and a Realistic STA-2000 for some time, typically using the Marantz as a preamp to the 2000. NLA speakers matched with Dynaco 25s.

I've recently been on a NAD kick for my shop system since having stumbled on a $6 NAD 1020 preamp. Been looking for a good deal on a matching 2140 amp but no luck yet.
I now have acquired a 3150 integrated and a 3060 integrated - thinking that the best one would stay and I'd move the others out.

I really love the crispness of the NAD sound. However - it seems though that in order to match the depth of sound of the Marantz or 2000 when tones at neutral, all 3 NAD components must have loudness on (which I typically do anyway) and the bass turned ALL the way up.

Is this something that others find as well?
 
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Could be, but that’s my point. I don’t with my other units. Wondering if this is typical for NAD.
 
While I appreciate loudness I keep the bass flat. However It is the same for all 3 NAD units. Granted, they have not been recapped but all three having the same cap issue seems unlikely.
Which NAD are you using?
 
I had a 3020 in college, purchased a 314 20 years ago, and had a 7000 receiver a few years ago. None were bass shy, but I do find cap couple vintage units a bit bass heavy, Not bass heavy per se but lacking bass control which is likely perceived as fuller bass. Damping factor in 314 is 100 while your 1060 damping factor is 45. I have a integrated amp with damping factor over 500 and it seemed leaner sounding first few days but the bass goes much deeper, hits much harder when played loud and is more accurate.

Also NAD switches are not the best in most cases, be sure you get some Faderlube on them.
 
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I had the same problem with my NAD 2200. The capacitor at the output of the low voltage regulator was much too small at 2 microfarads. Replaced it with 1000 microfarads and there was the missing bass. Seems like NAD engineers didn't know the difference between static and dynamic regulator loads.
 
Pilot said:
I had the same problem with my NAD 2200. The capacitor at the output of the low voltage regulator was much too small at 2 microfarads. Replaced it with 1000 microfarads and there was the missing bass. Seems like NAD engineers didn't know the difference between static and dynamic regulator loads.
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That is great information. Thanks.
I guess I'll choose one to work on and figure out how to find the comparable low voltage regulator.
 
Pilot said:
I had the same problem with my NAD 2200. The capacitor at the output of the low voltage regulator was much too small at 2 microfarads. Replaced it with 1000 microfarads and there was the missing bass. Seems like NAD engineers didn't know the difference between static and dynamic regulator loads.
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Uh - Are you talking about C406/7? Those are 1uF not 2.
The filtering is being provided by C408/9 anyways, not to mention local filtering. Seems like you don't know your circuits, I think the NAD engineers somehow knew a little better.
 
ivandezande said:
Uh - Are you talking about C406/7? Those are 1uF not 2.
The filtering is being provided by C408/9 anyways, not to mention local filtering. Seems like you don't know your circuits, I think the NAD engineers somehow knew a little better.
Click to expand...

I think the reference is to the localized decoupling caps: (Lch) C215/C217 + (Rch) C216/C218; 2.2uF/25.
 
Is the consensus that by altering the value of those caps the bass would be adjusted accordingly?

I'm thinking that perhaps what I perceive as "weak bass" must not translate to most people who listen or have listened to NAD components.
 
I used to own a 7140 a long time ago and it was not "bass shy" either. Maybe there is something going on with it... Who knows. I have moved on to something else now anyway.
 
coonmanx said:
Are you using the preamp to drive one of the amplifier sections of those integrateds?
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I've done the following:
1. Used the 1020 preamp through my STA2000.
2. Used the 1020 preamp through the NAD 3150.
3. Ran the 3150 alone.
4. Ran the 3060 alone.
In general, on all three - to my ears - the tone controls and the loudness don't do a great deal.
 
Joe is correct. I replaced C406/7 with 1 microfarad stacked mylar and C215/6/7/8 with 1000 microfarad caps. The 2200 is now 37 years old and still going strong with plenty of bass.

This is a common problem. I recently fixed a friend's tuner which was unstable. Replaced the 47 microfarad cap at the output of the regulator with 470 microfarad and it's as steady as a rock. The Sony engineers got it right in my CDP302 with the appropriate caps at the output of the regulators.
 
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