NAD 2200 amplifier, professionally serviced and modded
nspindel
Posts: 5,343
I've listed this previously, however my original listing was for a local pickup only. It never sold to someone close by, so I'm re-listing it and I'll go ahead and ship this. I am getting ready to sell my house and am trying to clear stuff out, and am willing to sell this for $300 shipped. That's about what I paid just for the mods! I used this amp with the smaller SDA's (CRS+ and 2B's) and know that it powers them well, so I'd like to keep this in the Polkie family before trying to move it on fleebay.
I have (copies) the marketing brochure/specs, the instruction manual, and the service manual with schematics.
If you google "NAD 2200 repair" you will find numerous links with references to a shop in Long Island, NY that used to specialize in repairing these NAD amps. The place was called In House Service and was run by a guy named Wayne. He was the go-to guy for servicing these NAD's, but unfortunately is no longer in business.
This unit is one that received a full overhaul from Wayne. These are really good amps, but were known to have a manufacturing issue with cold solder joints on the speaker relays. Wayne used to do a complete replacement of the relays, cap upgrades, and remove the power regulation features that were built into this amp at the detriment of sound quality. His mod package used to cost $175.
In addition, I paid extra and also had Wayne recable the AC wiring into the transformer, and install a Furotech IEC so you can use the power cable of your choice. Back in the days when this amp was new, the power wire they used was practically lamp cord. Wayne didn't really have the correct tools to cut an opening in the chassis, but he did the best he could. The results are pictured. It doesn't look pretty, but remember that this work was done on the back of the amp. You can't see this once the amp is sitting in a rack. Personally, I'd rather have top quality power cord with some cosmetic issues on the back of the amp over lamp wire any day of the week!
There are many threads on this forum where this amp is discussed, including other people talking about Wayne's service. With the mods done to this piece, this will be a great power amp for many years. I ran SDA's on it for a while, it handled them with no problem.
One other person on this forum heard this amp with my SDA 2B's. Here's what he said about the sound when I was selling the 2B's (granted he's talking about the speakers, but gotta have a good amp to make them sound like this!):
Edit: No idea why the photos are showing up as links rather than actual images....
I have (copies) the marketing brochure/specs, the instruction manual, and the service manual with schematics.
If you google "NAD 2200 repair" you will find numerous links with references to a shop in Long Island, NY that used to specialize in repairing these NAD amps. The place was called In House Service and was run by a guy named Wayne. He was the go-to guy for servicing these NAD's, but unfortunately is no longer in business.
This unit is one that received a full overhaul from Wayne. These are really good amps, but were known to have a manufacturing issue with cold solder joints on the speaker relays. Wayne used to do a complete replacement of the relays, cap upgrades, and remove the power regulation features that were built into this amp at the detriment of sound quality. His mod package used to cost $175.
In addition, I paid extra and also had Wayne recable the AC wiring into the transformer, and install a Furotech IEC so you can use the power cable of your choice. Back in the days when this amp was new, the power wire they used was practically lamp cord. Wayne didn't really have the correct tools to cut an opening in the chassis, but he did the best he could. The results are pictured. It doesn't look pretty, but remember that this work was done on the back of the amp. You can't see this once the amp is sitting in a rack. Personally, I'd rather have top quality power cord with some cosmetic issues on the back of the amp over lamp wire any day of the week!
There are many threads on this forum where this amp is discussed, including other people talking about Wayne's service. With the mods done to this piece, this will be a great power amp for many years. I ran SDA's on it for a while, it handled them with no problem.
One other person on this forum heard this amp with my SDA 2B's. Here's what he said about the sound when I was selling the 2B's (granted he's talking about the speakers, but gotta have a good amp to make them sound like this!):
More of a lurker these days but when I see my name mentioned I gotta chime in. I will keep it short and sweet, if you have $1k to spend on speakers buy these and spend the other $500 on new music.
You know those moments when you hear a system that just sounds so good you want nothing more then to listen longer? I paid nspindel a visit a while back and even though it was late and I had a ~2hr drive home I wanted nothing more then to sit there and listen to more music.
A few things that stuck out in my mind when listening to these, the first was that they sound huge yet disappear leaving you with a wall of sound. The soundstage seemed to expand much past the boundaries of the speakers, leaving you with sound as big as your room. I honestly expected big sound going to hear them the first time, but never imagined they would image so well. So now you have not just a expansive soundstage, but you can hear where each instrument is playing from. Then there was the prodigious bass which also wasn't really expected. I opened my eyes and scanned the room at least 3 times looking for the subwoofer. I have never experienced bass this deep or tight coming from any speaker. I have never gotten my SVS PB2+ to perfectly integrate my Gallos, and I imagine if I did it would sound like Neil's SDAs.
These things reminded me alot of my Gallo Ref3.1s, except I paid $2600 for my Gallos and these are $500. If anyone wants to get into real hi-fi for not much coin, here is your chance. Oh yeah, and Neil is a great guy
Edit: No idea why the photos are showing up as links rather than actual images....
Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
Post edited by nspindel on
Comments
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A very nice amp with "fantastic" power reserves (6db+ headroom). This is part of the power envelope series, no? A low budget way to get into 2 channel sound without really sacrificing anything in terms of quality. Most GOOD repair guys can handle the problems nspindel mentions--and he had a GREAT GUY do the work. I had a NAD integrated that needed a little work and my local guy had it up and running in no time for a pittance.
GLWTS! I've owned a number of NADs and they all sound very nice, never been disappointed.
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
Thanks cnh!Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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+2. I have the 2400 and 2600 Power Envelope Amps which are very similar to this and they are great amps! Lots of power and smooth, non-fatiguing sound. Maggie owners, these amps are a match made in heaven with your speakers.
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Appreciate the plugs!Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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Love NAD gear especially this series.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Bump.Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
