Amp question/suggestions please!

cindy100
cindy100 Posts: 256
edited December 2006 in Electronics
Hi! I have yet another question about an amp so I am looking for some help and suggestions. I have a NAD Stereo Integrated Amplifier C320BEE hooked up to some older Polk speakers. After having gotten used to what I have in the living room, I am now not happy with the way the one above sounds. Since I will be home more (for at least several months) I will be spending a lot of time in this particular room; I’d like to get an amp to hook up to it and would like to know what you might suggest.

I do not want to spend a whole lot of money and I don’t have a problem buying used. I know I could always move the other amp I have into this room but, for me, it is very heavy and I don’t ever want to move it again! I like to never got it in place as it is.

I am aware of Audiogon which is where I got my other amp and CD player and would prefer to not buy something like this on eBay. As always, I look forward to your help and very much appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Cindy
Post edited by cindy100 on
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited December 2006
    Cindy...

    What are your speakers?
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,812
    edited December 2006
    Time to try some tubes.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2006
    Not sure what speakers you have now, or exactly what you are looking for that the NAD is not delivering, but check out some Adcom amps on the used market. They can sound very nice for a lower budget.
    Venom
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  • cindy100
    cindy100 Posts: 256
    edited December 2006
    zombie boy,

    I knew I was forgetting something here… the back of the speakers say Model S10. I know they aren’t that good, they are what they are. I just don’t want to buy new ones and am hoping an amp will help. Thanks.

    Cindy
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2006
    you may want to try Rotel or outlaw amps...

    just a thought...

    What is your budget, and how far do you want to go with it ?
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
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    :cool:
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  • cindy100
    cindy100 Posts: 256
    edited December 2006
    beardog03,

    Hi! I know this doesn't help much but I'm not sure on the budget. Maybe $300to $400 but not sure if that will even get anything good. The amp I currently have was recommended by one of the members here; I have gotten so use to listening to the other that I now want an amp for this other room. What do you mean by how far I want to go with it? Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean. As for Rotel or Outlaw, any certain one I should look for?

    Thanks again,

    Cindy
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2006
    cindy100 wrote:
    zombie boy,

    I knew I was forgetting something here… the back of the speakers say Model S10. I know they aren’t that good, they are what they are. I just don’t want to buy new ones and am hoping an amp will help. Thanks.

    Cindy


    Cindy --

    If your speakers aren't that good, an amp isn't going to make them sound great. In fact, it could do quite the opposite on some of your favorite music. Consider getting a different pair of speakers instead. You can find used Polk Lsi7's in your price range and they'll probably sound 10x better than what you have.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited December 2006
    Model S10, eh?
    The reason I asked was to determine the speaker's sensitivity and at 91db, you might be in line to try a tube amp as F1 suggests.

    Though EB makes a stellar suggestion as well. But will the Nad drive the LSi's?
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • GATOR3000
    GATOR3000 Posts: 355
    edited December 2006
    Hey Cindy,

    + for F1 and ++ for zombie. As I understand you are going to spend a few months in the room you have music equipment in now. If your speakers are 91db and your present amp is not cutting it, you are the prime candidate for a tube amp.

    If you have reasonably good source integrated with a tube amp your speakers would reproduce music you like at least 10 times better. Do yourself a favor…….tubes are sonic experience most of us music lovers can’t live without IMO!!!!

    Here is one for you I saw on audiogon (no affiliation). You might get it for $400.00.

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1168537679

    Gator :):)
    Theatre System 5.1
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    Parasound HCA 1500A amp (front L/R)
    Parasound HCA 1000A amp (centre)
    B & K AV5000 amp (bi-amp + surround)
    Dynaco ST70 tube amp (Herbie HAL-O9)
    polkaudio Lsi15 (Cherry) 2-channel
    polkaudio Rti8 Front (Cherry)
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    polkaudio PSW1000 Subwoofer (Cherry)
    Original A8T CD
    Pioneer DV-275 DVD Player
    MONSTER CABLE MP-HTS3500MKII Powercentre
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited December 2006
    Hi Cindy,

    What are you planning on using for a pre-amp to run this new set-up? I'm assuming you might be using the NAD's pre-outs?
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited December 2006
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    Model S10, eh?

    They must be Chevy speakers.
    Never Forget
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2006
    Like EarlyB said...It's not the NAD...it's the speakers. I've heard that integrated pushing a pair of LSi9s in a moderate size room and it did a great job. Unless you are trying to rupture a few eardrums the 320BEE will push most 4ohm speakers with ease. An inexpensive Adcom amp is not an upgrade. Early was also right on with the LSi7 suggestion. Down the road you could add a small sub and have a real kick **** rig.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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