NAD vs Yamaha

Andy_

Hi Everyone,

After an un-satisfying foray into home theater for a few years I have decided to get back to basics and downsize to a 2-channel stereo setup with an integrated amplifier.

After agonizing for some time over what I wanted for my loudspeakers I decided on a pair of RTi8's from Polk Audio Direct on eBay. I have never actually heard these speakers in person but I was thoroughly happy with the TSi 400's I listened to in a local big-box store so I can't imagine how thrilled I will be with the RTi8's.

Now it's on to the amp. I have narrowed my choices down to a few manufacturer's. I am leaning heavily towards NAD. I am also flirting with something from Yamaha. Lastly, I would consider purchasing something from Cambridge Audio if I find something in my price range.

So as for the NAD, I could purchase the NAD C315BEE brand new from Crutchfield. Locally on craigslist the NAD offerings include a C350 (circa 2001) and a C320BEE (Circa 2002). Any thoughts on the merits of these Integrated Amps would be appreciated.

The only Yamaha I would consider is the AX-497 as seen on Crutchfield. It reviews well and my Dad had a Polk-Yamaha setup in the late 90's that was quite impressive. In fact, he still has it and it is still impressive.

Lastly is the Cambridge Audio. There was an integrated amp, model Azur 540a v.1 that caught my eye on eBay.

I do not have any personal experience not have I ever heard anything from NAD or Cambridge Audio. I have always been impressed with my Dad's Yamaha but at the end of the day, Yamaha makes everything from motorcycles to outboard boat motors to keyboards. For that reason I am hesitant to go that route. I suppose I would like something that is quasi Hi-Fi elitist but that still fits my limited budget.

I would truly appreciate any input or opinion's of anyone who does have experience with either NAD or Cambridge.

The top of my budget is $400.

I listen to lots of different types of music but my top 3 favorite artists are probably Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tool and Joe Satriani in that order. Don't be fooled though, I am a devout listener of female vocalists (Norah Jones, Sarah Mclachlan) and a big fan of Jazz Rock/Fusion such as Heavy Weather, Steely Dan and Jeff Beck. Really I want and need something that is well-rounded and will perform in any genre.

Thanks in advance for anyone's $0.02.

-Andy

Zitro

I myself have never heard the Rti8's, but I do have something to say about the NAD idea. My 2 channel system is built around a NAD C320BEE integrated amp and a C520 CDP. I absolutely love the integrated amp; this will be the absolute last thing I upgrade. It is very musical for the price, and it fits nicely in your budget. I did quite a bit of research before I settled on NAD, this amp in particular, and for music, the NAD's musicality makes it an easy choice. I've never heard any Yamaha anywhere near the price that was as musical as the NAD, and I did listen to a Cambridge Azur 550A while doing my research, and it is a nice amp, but to these ears the NAD sounded more musical and felt more dynamic (the headroom with the NAD is fantastic). My NAD makes my LSi7's absolutely sing. NAD products are generally pretty warm and more laid back, which suits my taste just fine. The low end is probably the NAD's strongest point, with tight, well controlled bass from its modest 50 wpc. The midrange and high end are very good also, but its the low end that makes this amp shine, makes music sound more "full". The dynamic headroom makes music sound like music, the built-in headphone amp is actually of great quality for being inclusive and I like NAD's no-frills philosophy.

I don't mean to rant (I'll stop now because I just realize I sound like a NAD sales rep lol), but I am a strong advocate for this amp and NAD products in general. It's a great budget amp, and quite frankly, would be competitive at twice its price in my opinion. I'm sure other people will chime in, but my vote is easily go with a NAD product for a budget 2 channel system.

BottomFeeder

+ 1 nad

dorokusai

+1 Cambridge Audio...I'm alone it appears. I've owned a ton of NAD and CA so its a win win for tonality but I'd choose the brand less people have if ever given the chance. They are both really cool.

Tony M

I and others really like my NAD C-370.
It has made alot of my speakers sound great for some reason or another.

I Can't comment on the other choices.

Andy_

Zitro,

Thanks for the reply.

I re-read my post and wanted to add that the RTi8's are made by Polk Audio.

Just in case anyone reading this does not know, the Polk RTi8's are a predecessor to the current Polk RTi A5's. I suppose I should have specified that my loudspeakers were Polk Audio in the original post. Being that I am new to the forum I assumed that was a given, I suppose it is not though

RTi8's

RTiA5's

Zitro

Andy_ wrote: »

Zitro,

Thanks for the reply. The Polk RTi8's are a predecessor to the current Polk RTi A5's. I suppose I should have specified they were Polk Audio. Being that I am new to the forum I assumed that was a given, I suppose it is not

RTi8's

RTiA5's

Oh no, I've definitely heard of the RTI8's, what I said was I've never actually heard them playing music, so I don't know what kind of amp would better suit its sonic character or might be a best match.

MANSKITO

Don't do the Yamaha, i Just got done saving a lot of money to replace mine, thrilled when i first got it, after a while i started to hear the imperfections.

Granted its a low end floor item but still it sucks balls.

The other brands you listed I don't know and have never heard. Just I would stay away from Yamaha.

Unless its an older one from what others have said only the new Yamaha stuff sucks.

Was in close to the same boat as you I listened to the TSI line of speakers and bought the Monitor speakers (the TSI line replaced the monitor line almost no difference sonically .) with out really getting to hear them for Huge savings.

Even on easy to drive speakers like the Monitor make my Yamaha fail.

Also some have said that the RTIA speakers are slightly bright, and have said the same thing about the Yamaha's amps so I don't think (I'm still a noob so take my advice with a grain of salt) they would be the best combo unless you like bright sound.

cnh

I'm going to side with doro on this one....and ask a question of our Nadophiles.

Of those of you who are using a Nad--HOW OLD IS IT??

The reason I ask is because I've heard Nad has gone down hill a bit in 'recent' years.

If someone has really new gear they like and think is as GOOD as the old gear...chime in.

cnh

cnh

MANSKITO wrote: »

Don't do the Yamaha, i Just got done saving a lot of money to replace mine, thrilled when i first got it, after a while i started to hear the imperfections.

Granted its a low end floor item but still it sucks balls.

The other brands you listed I don't know and have never heard. Just I would stay away from Yamaha.

Unless its an older one from what others have said only the new Yamaha stuff sucks.

Was in close to the same boat as you I listened to the TSI line of speakers and bought the Monitor speakers (the TSI line replaced the monitor line almost no difference sonically .) with out really getting to hear them for Huge savings.

Even on easy to drive speakers like the Monitor make my Yamaha fail.

Also some have said that the RTIA speakers are slightly bright, and have said the same thing about the Yamaha's amps so I don't think (I'm still a noob so take my advice with a grain of salt) they would be the best combo unless you like bright sound.

You're sounding pretty knowledgable for a newb there, Manskito! Heck we're all newbs forever here...because there's always something else to learn, hear, or buy--upgrade to!

When does one ever stop being a newb, I couldn't tell you!

cnh

Tony M

I have older NAD systems and a new Nad. I like them all.:D

jinjuku

cnh wrote: »

I'm going to side with doro on this one....and ask a question of our Nadophiles.

Of those of you who are using a Nad--HOW OLD IS IT??

The reason I ask is because I've heard Nad has gone down hill a bit in 'recent' years.

If someone has really new gear they like and think is as GOOD as the old gear...chime in.

cnh

Have a ~2 year old c272 and it's a really nice amp. Been solid and we use it as a bench amp so it gets manhandled quite the bit. Holding up fine.

What no Steve Vai or Eric Johnson?

AudioFilet

I used a NAD C372 integrated amp for my main 2 channel system for about 1.5 yrs, using a pair of LSi9's. I also had an Outlaw RR2150 in a side room where I do my photography stuff, hooked up to a small set of Polks, not getting much use.

I decided to sell the Outlaw.

Before I put it up for sale, I decided to hook it up to the LSi9's, just to see how it sounded. Boy, was I shocked!

Sold the NAD the next day. Also sold the NAD CD player I had after comparing it to a Sony model I still have.

Still got the Outlaw & still love it.

Just my experience with NAD.

hearingimpared

I have a two year old NAD AVR and I love it. A big plus is that it needs no outboard amplification to power the speakers I use.

Andy_

The NAD stuff I am considering is circa 2001-2002. I would really like to hear from someone if this is "old" enough.

Andy_

jinjuku wrote: »

<snip> What no Steve Vai or Eric Johnson?

Oh no, they are in the mix. I just like Joe the most. Along with Jeff Beck, Steve Morse, Frank Zappa, and a new kid by the name of Davy Knowles. If you have not heard about Davy check him out on YouTube. I caught him on tour with Chickenfoot. I would have rather just heard him play for 3 hours!

dkg999

I have about a 4 yr old NAD C720BEE receiver and C521BEE CDP in my bedroom system and the 720BEE receiver is pretty incredible. I've driven LSi7's with it and they sounded good. Plenty of dynamic reserves/current.

Zitro

cnh wrote: »

I'm going to side with doro on this one....and ask a question of our Nadophiles.

Of those of you who are using a Nad--HOW OLD IS IT??

The reason I ask is because I've heard Nad has gone down hill a bit in 'recent' years.

If someone has really new gear they like and think is as GOOD as the old gear...chime in.

cnh

Andy_ wrote: »

The NAD stuff I am considering is circa 2001-2002. I would really like to hear from someone if this is "old" enough.

The opinion I gave was based on a NAD C320BEE from 2002. NAD products are still very good; I don't think NAD took a step back so much as other entry-level companies started stepping up their game. NAD has always been a contender in the entry hifi market, and recently the Master Series of NAD products is making a name for them in the upper ranks of 2 channel also.

AudioFilet wrote: »

I used a NAD C372 integrated amp for my main 2 channel system for about 1.5 yrs, using a pair of LSi9's. I also had an Outlaw RR2150 in a side room where I do my photography stuff, hooked up to a small set of Polks, not getting much use.

I decided to sell the Outlaw.

Before I put it up for sale, I decided to hook it up to the LSi9's, just to see how it sounded. Boy, was I shocked!

Sold the NAD the next day. Also sold the NAD CD player I had after comparing it to a Sony model I still have.

Still got the Outlaw & still love it.

Just my experience with NAD.

I've never heard any Outlaw stuff, but IIRC aren't Outlaw products technically more expensive than NAD?

NJPOLKER

Cambridge Audio with out a doubt. I had listened to a NAD once upon a time in a different system so maybe this is not fair but I'll give my opinion anyway. I have a older model CA IA A500 and ran my SDA2A's and SRS2's with it on and off for a few years. It is a great little IA with more power and head room than one would imagine. It has a warm and well defined sound to it far above its price range. I would imagine the newer model is just as good and maybe better.
Which ever way you go you should spend so time hunting for a good deal because they are out there. Also if you find the "good deal" you can always flip it with no to little loss.

One more thing, where are you located?

Zitro

NJPOLKER wrote: »

Cambridge Audio with out a doubt. I had listened to a NAD once upon a time in a different system so maybe this is not fair but I'll give my opinion anyway. I have a older model CA IA A500 and ran my SDA2A's and SRS2's with it on and off for a few years. It is a great little IA with more power and head room than one would imagine. It has a warm and well defined sound to it far above its price range. I would imagine the newer model is just as good and maybe better.
Which ever way you go you should spend so time hunting for a good deal because they are out there. Also if you find the "good deal" you can always flip it with no to little loss.

One more thing, where are you located?

Couldn't agree more. Everything I have on my system I bought on a budget. The NAD integrated, I found new in the box for $230 shipped on Ebay .
NAD is definitely not the be-all-and-end-all sort of amplifier, but for the entry level market, I don't think they can be beat within their price bracket.

NJPOLKER

One more thing :cool:

The Cambridge Audio IA are really sexy looking. The NAD's are OK at best to look at but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

reeltrouble1

I hear the dull muddle of echoes long past.

RT1

Andy_

NJPOLKER wrote: »

<snip> One more thing, where are you located?

I am in Atlanta, Ga. I guess I should fill in my profile.

Andy_

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

I hear the dull muddle of echoes long past.

RT1

So what route did you go? Or were you saying this topic is comparable to bludgeoning an expired equine?

Polkersince85

Andy_ wrote: »

So what route did you go?

Just to give an example, say your system will be a pencil, his a telephone pole. Don't ask, you will feel impotent.

.

danger boy

Cambridge Audio then NAD second.

Yamaha would not even be a consideration for me..

shack

Andy_ wrote:

So what route did you go? Or were you saying this topic is comparable to bludgeoning an expired equine?

Ted has always been extremely fond of NADs. Tubes rule now...but he still has a place for some NADs.

shack

I too am very fond of MY NADs.

hearingimpared

shack wrote: »

I too am very fond of MY NADs.

My NADs are better then your NADs.:D

pearsall001

hearingimpared wrote: »

My NADs are better then your NADs.:D

Your's might be better...but mine are BIGGER!!!!!

NAD without batting an eye. Take a look at the poll, that should tell you something. I'm a big fan of NAD myself.

jaxwired

As you can see from my sig, I'm a very big NAD fan. I've owned earlier NAD products as well. I've heard lots of high end amps and owned a couple, and NAD not only is unbeatable in the budget category, but in the words of stereophile's reviewer Sam Tellig "NAD is up there in quality with the best solid state...and performs way, way, out of it's price class." - Oct '09. You cannot go wrong with the NAD amps. You are getting fantastic sound per dollar.

I agree that the NAD products look dull compared to most competitors. Rotel and Cambridge are miles ahead in looks. But, you have to wonder how much of your buying dollar is paying for looks and not sound. With NAD that's no issue. They pride themselves on a plain black box with all the money spent on the inside.

Yamaha makes excellent main stream products, but they are not in the same league with NAD.