Question about NADs

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AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
edited May 2008 in Electronics
I'm looking at picking up a NAD receiver, have a couple questions:

From everything I've seen on here over the years, I assume their receivers are high current, correct? I have LSi7 and soon to be an LSiC up front, and want to make sure their stuff will drive a 4 ohm load well.

Secondly, and more importantly, what do they sound like? I'm not asking if they sound good or bad, as I'll determine that for myself if and when I pick one up. I'm looking more for sound characteristics, are they bright, neutral, warm, analytical, laid back, etc, etc?

Every 'brand' seems to have sound characteristics that people generally agree on (Yamahas are bright, HK is warm, etc) - I'm just looking to get a feel for where NAD falls. The LSi7 is already a laid back speaker, and a receiver that's too laid back as well might give me a veiled sound, for example.

Thoughts?
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited April 2008
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    I trim mine because my girlfriend likes them neat and clean.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2008
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    Polkmaniac wrote:
    From everything I've seen on here over the years, I assume their receivers are high current, correct? I have LSi7 and soon to be an LSiC up front, and want to make sure their stuff will drive a 4 ohm load well.

    YES! They are rated down to a 2 ohm load. I had a C320bee integrated (50 wpc) that easily drove LSi9s to as loud as I wanted.
    Secondly, and more importantly, what do they sound like? I'm not asking if they sound good or bad, as I'll determine that for myself if and when I pick one up. I'm looking more for sound characteristics, are they bright, neutral, warm, analytical, laid back, etc, etc?

    Hard to quantify...but definitely not bright or analytical. NAD prides itself on the "musicality" of it's gear whether it is HT or HiFi gear. Neutral leaning to the warm side might be the description.
    The LSi7 is already a laid back speaker, and a receiver that's too laid back as well might give me a veiled sound, for example. Thoughts?

    I have heard NAD separates and integrateds with Martin Logans, Polk RTi, LSi, SDAs, Paradigm, Vienna Acoustics, Sonus Faber and Focal and have yet to hear one I would consider veiled. I like the NAD/LSi combo and would recommend that you try it. I don't think you will find it veiled at all.
    "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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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited April 2008
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    You can put peanut butter on your NADs and have your dog lick it off. . . cuz it's your dog!

    Right? You guys know what I'm saying.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited April 2008
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    I had the NAD C272. It drove my Lsi15s with ease so I am pretty sure it will have no problem driving the Lsi7s. Also, I preferred the sound of the NAD over the Parasound Halo A23 (which says a lot bc the A23 is a damn good amp.)
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2008
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    Okay, that helps. I've owned the parasound A23, would you say the NAD is more or less laid back than the Parasound?
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,701
    edited April 2008
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    Polkmaniac wrote: »
    Okay, that helps. I've owned the parasound A23, would you say the NAD is more or less laid back than the Parasound?

    You have a PM.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2008
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    Got your PM, thanks
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  • BrettT1
    BrettT1 Posts: 560
    edited April 2008
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    shack wrote: »
    Neutral leaning to the warm side might be the description.QUOTE]


    FWIW. I would agree with this description.
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited April 2008
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    ^^^

    Same here. My integrated was pretty neutral all around with a hint of being warm in the midrange. Bass was fairly well controlled but much more subtle than my Monarchy Audio's. A c352 drove both my lsi7's and lsi9's quite easily for a couple years. I didn't much care for the pre-amp section in it though as it lacked a dynamic feel to it.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited April 2008
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    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I had the NAD C272. It drove my Lsi15s with ease so I am pretty sure it will have no problem driving the Lsi7s. Also, I preferred the sound of the NAD over the Parasound Halo A23 (which says a lot bc the A23 is a damn good amp.)

    I would say the NAD C272 is more laid back, but better controlled the lower end of the Lsi15s.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,384
    edited April 2008
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    I'm still loving my T773 after 3yrs. I'm even considering moving up to the T785. I really like how well they're built & the music quality is exceptional. From what I've read the T785 is a real brute with oddles of power. I might even be tempted to hear how it performs in a head to head with my Krell two channel amp. If it provides plenty of juice for my speakers...maybe the Krell will be up for sale. I'm not doing anything at this moment but this plan is on my radar.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2008
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    I just invested a bit of mod-cash juicing up the old 2200 amp and it sounds awesome. Drives my SDA-2B's just great. Aggressive where it needs to be. but refined at the same time. I tried it with an NAD 1700 pre-amp and was not happy at all. Got a tube pre instead and that's when the fun began!!!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited April 2008
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    I have the T163 and paired with the LSi's (and a Cinepro amp) found it a little to laid back and veiled for my tastes. (I think it would be awesome with RTi's though)

    I have heard some really good things about LSi's and the NAD AVR lines though so their amps definately work well and maybe it was my amp and NAD that didn't work as well together rather than my LSi's and NAD....

    I switched the Op-Amps out in the output stage of my NAD and love it now though. Unfortuneately, it does not have HDMi built in so I am sure I will be upgrading in the next few years. Until then, now that it is upgraded, it sounds great. I would love to find someone with a T163 that is stock though and do a quick comparison between the two.

    Anyone have one they would like to bring to PolkFest?

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,640
    edited April 2008
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    I like NAD and would consider it a warm component but in no way too warm for the LSi 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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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited May 2008
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    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I would say the NAD C272 is more laid back, but better controlled the lower end of the Lsi15s.

    Laid back as in the sound or laid back in that it has less dynamics than the C272?

    Thanks,
    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2008
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    The NAD has excellent dynamics for the price. I think you sacrifice some soundstaging and instrument separation when compared to the A23. But, its minor and really personal preference. I just thought the NAD mated better with the Lsi15.
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  • night owl
    night owl Posts: 2
    edited May 2008
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    AndyGwis wrote: »
    You can put peanut butter on your NADs and have your dog lick it off. . . cuz it's your dog!

    Right? You guys know what I'm saying.

    Now I know why I like AudioKarma. Nice answer, really helped.....
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,640
    edited May 2008
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    Not every answer is a winner.
    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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  • night owl
    night owl Posts: 2
    edited May 2008
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    Polkmaniac wrote: »
    I'm looking at picking up a NAD receiver, have a couple questions:

    From everything I've seen on here over the years, I assume their receivers are high current, correct? I have LSi7 and soon to be an LSiC up front, and want to make sure their stuff will drive a 4 ohm load well.

    Secondly, and more importantly, what do they sound like? I'm not asking if they sound good or bad, as I'll determine that for myself if and when I pick one up. I'm looking more for sound characteristics, are they bright, neutral, warm, analytical, laid back, etc, etc?

    Every 'brand' seems to have sound characteristics that people generally agree on (Yamahas are bright, HK is warm, etc) - I'm just looking to get a feel for where NAD falls. The LSi7 is already a laid back speaker, and a receiver that's too laid back as well might give me a veiled sound, for example.

    Thoughts?

    Personnaly, after only one listening I found the amp I was listening to was on the warm side. I know that doesn't help much and to confuse matter's even more i can't remember the model number. What doe's surprise me is the difference I hear between the amp I listened to and the CDP which I have. The C521BEE which is quite airy and bright. The amp I heard was one of their later model's. Again, not much help I know...........night owl
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2008
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    night owl wrote: »
    Personnaly, after only one listening I found the amp I was listening to was on the warm side. I know that doesn't help much and to confuse matter's even more i can't remember the model number. What doe's surprise me is the difference I hear between the amp I listened to and the CDP which I have. The C521BEE which is quite airy and bright. The amp I heard was one of their later model's. Again, not much help I know...........night owl

    I think what you need is some PB&J on your NADs to help you formulate an opinion. This garbage is as dumb as the PB post but many times more unentertaining.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,640
    edited May 2008
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    night owl wrote: »
    Personnaly, after only one listening I found the amp I was listening to was on the warm side. I know that doesn't help much and to confuse matter's even more i can't remember the model number. What doe's surprise me is the difference I hear between the amp I listened to and the CDP which I have. The C521BEE which is quite airy and bright. The amp I heard was one of their later model's. Again, not much help I know...........night owl

    I agree, as the tonality between the amplifiers and CDP's are night and day. It's probably splitting hairs since it's just an opinion anyways but I know exactly what you mean. I've noticed more of a difference between amplifiers of different decades than anything within the same line. Like the 2200PE compared to a C325BEE....for example. The older stuff is mucho warm and coupled with tubes can be a bit too much.
    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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  • toddco
    toddco Posts: 147
    edited May 2008
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    GOD I love this place.PB&J on your intellectula NADS:eek::D:D
    RTi12's:D
    CSi5
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    PB12+2 :cool:
    Sony STR-DA2ES
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