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Questions about the NAD C325BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier

MWalt

MWalt

Super Member
How does the NAD C325BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier compare to some of the vintage equipment of the 70's. I ask because I need an integrated amp to match up to my new Sony XDR-F1HD Tuner.

Right now the Sony tuner I have outperforms ALL of the tuner sections of my receivers: Marantz 2245, Pioneer SX-1080, Pioneer SX-780. I have to use an AUX port on my receivers to run my tuner.

I do have a Marantz 1060 that needs restoration. I can spend my money to restore the Marantz or buy the NAD C325BEE.

Please provide me input or opinions with pros and cons. The NAD seems reasonably priced for a new amp.
 
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I bought my wife a C325BEE last summer and that damn thing is awesome. It's the best NAD I've used and better sounding than any of the 70's stuff I owned. That 's not to say that it's better than all of the 70's gear, just better than any I've owned...from Yamaha, Sansui, Marantz, Pioneer, Technics and so and so forth. Truly anoutstanding amp and at it's present price (being discontinued) it's a steal.
 
Yeah man! I have one and it's the best bargain in the audio world as far as I'm concerned!
I love my vintage stuff but this NAD is awesome. If you get one don't be surprised if it puts out a fair amount of heat, so keep it well ventilated.

I have a Superscope 1060 as well. I don't know if that is the same as a Marantz 1060 or not but the SuperScope, as nice as it is, doesn't even come close to the NAD.
 
Chazb11 said:
Yeah man! I have one and it's the best bargain in the audio world as far as I'm concerned!
I love my vintage stuff but this NAD is awesome. If you get one don't be surprised if it puts out a fair amount of heat, so keep it well ventilated.

I have a Superscope 1060 as well. I don't know if that is the same as a Marantz 1060 or not but the SuperScope, as nice as it is, doesn't even come close to the NAD.
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Agreed about the NAD, it runs warm and that's the way it was designed. I used to have that Marantz and it doesn't come close to the NAD.
 
Chazb11 said:
Yeah man! I have one and it's the best bargain in the audio world as far as I'm concerned!
I love my vintage stuff but this NAD is awesome. If you get one don't be surprised if it puts out a fair amount of heat, so keep it well ventilated.
Click to expand...
It depends on what is meant by a "fair amount of heat". A ss amp running hot is not usually a good sign.
 
You need to be reminded of NAD's reputation for poor reliability, particularly in regard to their amplifier sections. A NAD amplifier that runs "warm" sounds like a risky proposition to me. A Marantz amplifier that "needs restoration" doesn't sound like a good bet either.
 
I went ahead and bought the NAD. I like the idea that it is new with a warranty.

The Marantz is perfectly functional. It is also over 30 years old. By "restore" I mean new caps, etc. As a matter of fact I am going to send it to the same place that I sent my Marantz 2245.

I will just use the new amp and continue to buy meore vintage stuff.

Man, this is like a sickness!!:D
 
Sometimes I think the NAD amps get a bit of a bad rap; there were an awful lot of them sold, and I see many of them still working fine. Sound quality is what made them so popular, along with a lower price than the competition. OTOH, it is undeniable that they used cheaper parts (and labor) than the brands against which they were competing. So in absolute terms, they aren't likely to last as long as much more expensive gear; that much is indeed true.

Unfortunately, it seems their more recent A/V models seem to have some design issues, from what I've read about them. I would not hesitate, however, to buy the amp you did - or similar - and expect to get a good decade or so from it; but not several decades like a Mc or so (with the Mc also being worth repairing, if needed).
 
2chanman said:
You need to be reminded of NAD's reputation for poor reliability, particularly in regard to their amplifier sections. A NAD amplifier that runs "warm" sounds like a risky proposition to me. A Marantz amplifier that "needs restoration" doesn't sound like a good bet either.
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Over the past several years the only NAD amps with reliability issues have been their AVR's.
 
A lot of the stuff I have read about this amp says that it is the amp in their line that is most true to the sound of the old 3020. If that is accurate, then it should be great to listen to.
 
chathamdad said:
A lot of the stuff I have read about this amp says that it is the amp in their line that is most true to the sound of the old 3020. If that is accurate, then it should be great to listen to.
Click to expand...

It really was the sweet spot in their last line up.
 
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