New NAD 5 Channel Amp (almost) In The House

Gulfstrings

Actually, it's out in the parking lot in the back of my Jeep, but it will be in the house and installed before bedtime tonite!

This amp (T955) is intended to complete my system though I know that's a fragile plan. Since last December, I've tried to assemble a "balanced" equipment group that will provide good performance with balanced (music/movies) application.

Thanks for the shared opinions by those of you here who helped with the NAD decision and a big shout out to Joe at Audioadvisor who kept the project alive when I had about given up.

My strategy for the install is to allow the Onkyo and NAD to do bi-amping duty on the A7s to start and then compare a NAD-only hookup. This has as much to do with not having the time tonite to reinstall the jumpers on the A7s as with a genuine interest in trying to determine if there will be a difference.

I did open the well packed shipper and brought the manual in office to peruse. It's an exercise in effeciency ... about three pages in about ten languages, but I guess there really isn't much to do with this thing.

I am left with a couple questions:

1. Of those of you with NAD (or other amps) equipped with "Soft Clipping," do
you use this feature? Leave it on for both movies and music?

2. Should I try to plug the NAD in to its own, dedicated wall outlet?

3. How in the heck do you say NAD? NAD, rhyming with bad? or lettered
N_A_D?

As soon as I determine what to say about this amp - or how to say it so it means something to the experts here, I'll be back.

Dave

danger boy

congrats on your new to you NAD amp. I don't have any experience with newer NAD amps.. but many people seem to like them. They hold up well over time too I understand.

jinjuku

I've always (and heard) NAD as in bad. I wouldn't use soft clipping feature personally on the amp.

Enjoy, the T955 is a solid amp.

I run my equipment stack off of a single dedicated 20amp outlet. I don't bother with dedicated outlets just for the amp. I have never tripped the breaker.

cstmar01

Congrats to the OP! got a nice amp there.

thuffman03

Let us know what you think. I never had a NAD amp and would like a read a review.

Gulfstrings

Okay ... it's a done deal. We're about a bottle of wine and Bob James' "Restless" into the pocess and very, very happy. I haven't enjoyed a listening experience like this since lying between the Vegas next to my old dog Kilo listening to P-Floyd back in the day... but I digress.

A quick note: I had the A7s "bi-amped" using the front outs and the two other unused outs per Onkyo's options in the original setup. I never knew if it made a difference - and thought I wouldn't have time tonite to putz with it, but I did replace the A7s' jumpers then compare vs. only the front outs, there was a significant difference in the volume when selecting Pure Audio without the "bi-amping." Much less, in fact. The value of "bi-amping" with an AVR is often discussed here and in this case I can say there was a noticable difference.

But on to the NAD. It's heavy. I like to buy stuff by the pound and think I got my money's worth!

In my simplest (audiophile poser) terms, it provides the torque those Polks needed! Huge difference! Even my wife said I, "stole it!" as she remarked about the clarity, sustained notes and presence of the music in the room.

I've had several stereos over the years but this is new territory for me and one I plan to explore in detail.

Darn happy with what's in the cabinet (pics to follow) and can't wait to get out the vinyl this weekend.

And a movie or two ...

Thanks again to all of you that contributed to the NAD thing. At Day One it's awesome!

Dave

Pappy1

Hi Gulfstrings,

Congratulations on the new "baby" in the house! I'm living vicariously through you with respect to adding the NAD. Maybe some day I will be able to join you.

May you and your wife enjoy your weekend together. Glad to hear she supports your appreciation of good audio!

Best Wishes,

Pappy

AVR - Pioneer VSX 9040TXH
TV - Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
BD - Panasonic DMP-BD605
Cable - CableOne HD DVR
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 70s
Center - Polk Audio CS2
Rears - Polk Audio Monitor 60s
Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW 505

cfrizz

Congratulations, enjoy!

Conradicles

Nice system you have there. Enjoy...

jayman_1975

I have heard people say it both ways. I like N_A_D.

LessisNevermore

Go nad!

Zitro

Congrats on the NAD purchase! As I've posted many times on here, I am a huge fan of NAD products. I had the same reaction to my NAD integrated as you are having now, and still am way down the road; great amps for the money. I always have said "NAD". I never use the soft clipping feature, but I find it pretty difficult to get this amp to clip anyways, which is why I usually keep the feature off. I live in an apartment though and can only get it so high; if you plan on cranking movies, you should probably play around with the feature.

Congrats, and keep us updated on your thoughts on the amp as you play around with it!

- Jeremy

Gulfstrings

Appreciate the comments about the soft clipping feature and am curious why you wouldn't use it?

When researching NAD I concluded SC was like the rev limiter on a car or motorcycle. No effect at all until needed to keep the engine from over revving and causing damage.

I've also decided the pronunciation is going to be "NAD," cause it's just easier to say! Likely wrong on both counts.

Got some Boney James playing this morning and can testify that the last nite's percieved performance improvement was not just the wine, though that didn't hurt. Even at (guess it should be expected) the lower, morning listening level, those Polks are telling the whole story.

We also watched about half of the newest Star Trek (BluRay) and found the power amp really enhanced its sound track compared to when only the Onkyo was in charge. No disrespect to Onkyo.

But that was later last nite though and the wine may have played a small part by then ...:)

Later,

Dave

Gulfstrings

Here's a link to some photos with the new NAD amp.

http://picasaweb.google.com/112659507769832217713/20100711?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXHpaec-bm60QE#

As you can see, my wife has not forgotten that 'dorm room' look (that I like most guys felt comfortable with all those years ago) that she has sworn not to let me repeat. Still, she's allowed the turntable and when Polk did their cherry wood thing, I was back in business and those little Bose things went quickly to the bedroom. I won't mention where she's made me hide the surrounds ... suffice to say the dipole feature is a big plus.

Though it's just been a day or two since installing the amp, I now consider myself a disciple of of the tenets for more clean power!

Dave

jimbo1421

Gulfstrings wrote: »

Here's a link to some photos with the new NAD amp.

http://picasaweb.google.com/112659507769832217713/20100711?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXHpaec-bm60QE#

As you can see, my wife has not forgotten that 'dorm room' look (that I like most guys felt comfortable with all those years ago) that she has sworn not to let me repeat. Still, she's allowed the turntable and when Polk did their cherry wood thing, I was back in business and those little Bose things went quickly to the bedroom. I won't mention where she's made me hide the surrounds ... suffice to say the dipole feature is a big plus.

Though it's just been a day or two since installing the amp, I now consider myself a disciple of of the tenets for more clean power!

Dave

Hi Dave,

After 2 years how did NAD T955 work out for you? Any repair issues?

Jim

soundfreak1

Never heard a nad but like your taste in music.

whitecamaross

how is the NAD sound? is it warm or bright?