Thoughts on NAD C 162 pre amp??

TNHNDYMAN

Found one local for a good price and am waiting for seller to schedule a time for me to check it out. In the meantime- does anyone have any experience with this pre and wondering what the impressions of performance would be. Seems to have a decent phono section from the online info I've researched.

Would be replacing an Adcom GTP 450 with this piece and wonder if it should be a significant upgrade or just lateral move aside from having the phono input.

Any advice or opinions appreciated.

EndersShadow

First thing I see (from looking at manuals) is the NAD has 2 sets of pre-outs That would be really nice for bi-amping your SDA's if you wanted, or running 2 sets of speakers off the same source, or running a sub (using line in RCA's) and a set of speakers.

In addition a VERY nice feature is that the 2nd pre-out has its own level trim so you can use 2 amps with different wattage's and help match them up level wise at the pre-amp level.

Also its got a 12v trigger which your Adcom doesnt. That and the obvious phono stage it has and I know NAD's phono stages are supposed to be pretty good, so it might be better than the ART DJ one you currently have.

I know Adcom's normally are given the reputation of being a bit on the Bright and Grainy side and I know NAD's are supposed to be more nuetral/smooth.

I will let the others weigh in with their thoughts...

TNHNDYMAN

Thanks for your thoughts Dan. Everything you said is kinda what I'm seeing as plus's and it's avail for around $100 so it seems like a no brainer.

EndersShadow

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts Dan. Everything you said is kinda what I'm seeing as plus's and it's avail for around $100 so it seems like a no brainer.

Yeah, since you can sell the Adcom and recoup some of that cost and so your really not out too much overall.

JayCee

I purchased a C162 from another CP member approx. 2 years ago (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?109859-NAD-C162-2-channel-Preamp-340).

Endershadow is spot on concerning the features. I used the 2nd pre-outs to run a sub but have never used the phono section. Until recently, I used it with a Parasound HCA-1500A amp and loved the combination. Definitely not grainy on the top end and had great impact on the bottom end. Overall, I'd say it's a bit more laid back than neutral. I've swapped it out and am now running an Adcom GFP-750, which is definitely more neutral and detailed, but over twice the cost of my c162. Also of note, the NAD color is a bit different than standard black from other manufacturers. So, if you like a very uniform look to your equipment it will stick out.

Can't give you a comparison with the GTP-450 but @ $100 the NAD is a great deal. Don't know current pricing but I paid around $350 and felt that was fair. Even though I swapped my 162 for the 750, I'm keeping the 162 as a backup. If I hadn't had the itch to move significantly up in component/price I'd still be a happy camper.

TNHNDYMAN

Good Info JayCee thanks for giving your impressions.

organ

I have the slightly older C160. Excellent sound. It's on the warm side and bass is powerful. I use it with the matching C270 amp and it sounds fantastic powering my Polk LSi9 and Klipsch Reference towers.

drumminman

I have the slightly older C160 which is almost identical (not really sure what the difference is). I used it and two carver power amps (a TFM 42 and TFM 24) to biamp a set of Def Tech BP 30's - great combo.

Never had any issues with it, very flexible. In fact I still have, but I'm not using it as I switched to an all Odyssey set up. I may have to work it back into the system if I set up my turntable.

I paid $450 for mine - open box. $100 is a very good deal!

smglbrth

While I can't add much to your question, sound-wise, I've been wanting to try that pre for a few years now, just to see. However, they don't come up often and the prices are usually well over what the seller is asking.

scottyboy76

In other words, go get it brohime.

The dual preouts are the most interesting thing to me, all the possibilitys and flexibility.

EndersShadow

scottyboy76 wrote: »

In other words, go get it brohime.

The dual preouts are the most interesting thing to me, all the possibilitys and flexibility.

And then try it out on the 703's :biggrin:......

TNHNDYMAN

Got email stating he sold whole system this morning.... he had a krell amp and some denon components plus some martin logan speakers. Damn.

audiocr381ve

Damn. Sorry you missed out on it. I owned one for a year and it was awesome. I found mine for $250 and thought it was a good deal.

chandler9a

I have the NAD 116 in one of my systems and love it. Can't beat it for the price but they are pretty rare.

that was a very good deal, sorry you missed it.

TNHNDYMAN

Asked the seller to pass my name along to the buyer- won't pick up till Thursday. If the buyer has other preamps and wants to flip that one then I asked him to let him know I'm still interested. IF the sale doesn't go thru Thursday then I still can pick it up for a great price.

Watching some NAD pre's on the bay and like some of them that have the selective capacitive switch for differant cartridges for phono. Some of the newer ones have gold plated rca's for phono and the preouts without the switch though. Not sure which NAD's might be the best one to try and find. Not stuck on NAD either, just would like a nice pre for under $200 best bang for the buck kinda scenerio.

TNHNDYMAN

Here was the link to the guys ad. He only wanted $75 for the pre and $600 for the speakers $400 for the amp. Amp looked interesting but not the deal the pre was. Still holding onto hope I might get it.

http://tricities.craigslist.org/ele/3465278359.html

audiocr381ve

The C162 is very highly regarded amongst NAD pres, but typically sells for $250-$350. It's a great preamp. Some people are anti-tone controls, but I thought it was nice to be able to bump up the bass when needed.