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Nakamichi 410 Preamp

bevador

bevador

Active Member
I picked up the Nakamichi 410 pre yesterday and I am very happy I did. This pre is paired with a pp el84 amp and the combination is outstanding. I read a few opinions that stated this pre was substandard. I disagree. The 410 is built and delivers incredible definition, timbre, tonal balance and dynamics. This is a sleeper imo. I must say my rig has never sounded better. The phono stage is the best I have had. I will admit I have only used a Sui c2101 and several recievers (marantz2230 2226,2250b HK 430)as pres so my experience is limited. I have however reached a new plateau in audio with this pre. Happy listening going on tonight!
 

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Always loved the industrial look of this series.

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I had the 410 + 420 pair back in the late 70's and they were the first beautiful sounding electronics I've ever had. I agree about the phono stage in the 410: it's outstanding.
 
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That 410 has a feature that IMO is sadly missing from most preamps, receivers and integrated amps. That being a variable loudness (contour) control.

The way to correctly use it is to turn it all the way up. Turn the volume control to the loudest you normally listen. Turn the volume down using the contour control to the level desired. Use the contour control for all further volume adjustments.
When used this way you get no loudness compensation at your maximum listening level and progressively increasing compensation as you reduce the listening level. This is by far the best way to implement any type loudness control.

Plus, I think that 410 looks absolutely killer.
 
The 430 Tuner/Pre is one very sweet-looking piece. Then again I'm a sucker for that sort of tuning arrangement.
 
I love the look of this pre too. Thanks for the instructions on the contour control. I set it using that method and it is pefect. I can't believe the difference this piece has given me. I forgot to mention the speakers I am using are Rogers studio 1a. The lead voice is presented with far more clarity and separation but not detached with this pre. Man I am stoked!
 
600 tape deck

I use to have the 600 tapedeck it was my first nak. its the first deck I ever own where the dolby actually worked right.
 
The Dolby implementation on Nakamichi tape decks was done exceptionally well. Most of the other problems people had with Dolby were because they pushed the record levels too high. The Dolby system, especially B, was particularly susceptible to being overdriven causing saturation on the tape. Recording with maximum levels never above 0dB yielded much better results. Most people consistently used +3dB for maximum recording levels cause the aforementioned problems.
 
Nak 410

:tresbon:I couldn't agree more with these comments! I still use my 410/420 which I bought new back in 1978. I believe you hear so little about them because so few were made.
The 60 watts of the 420 into my 4 ohm MMG's make great music! I listen mainly with my AR/XB. The phono section is great!
The 410 pre has just what I need...a mono button, subsonic filter, that GREAT contour control, tone controls when I need them. I believe the volume control is an ALPS.
My units were refurb'd by ESL Labs (no affiliation). I expect another 30+ years of trouble free service!
It's nice to know I'm all set until I'm 92 years old!

Great pieces, great sound, great looks, great reliability!

Al
 
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