Question about NADs

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

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?

[SolidSqual]

I trim mine because my girlfriend likes them neat and clean.

[shack]

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.

[AndyGwis]

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.

[SolidSqual]

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.)

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Okay, that helps. I've owned the parasound A23, would you say the NAD is more or less laid back than the Parasound?

[sucks2beme]

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.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Got your PM, thanks

[BrettT1]

[QUOTE=shack;849795] Neutral leaning to the warm side might be the description.QUOTE]


FWIW. I would agree with this description.

[michael_w]

^^^

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.

[SolidSqual]

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.

[pearsall001]

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.

[nspindel]

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!!!

[McLoki]

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

[dorokusai]

I like NAD and would consider it a warm component but in no way too warm for the LSi series.

[I-SIG]

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

[SolidSqual]

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.

[night owl]

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.....

[dorokusai]

Not every answer is a winner.

[night owl]

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

[SolidSqual]

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.

[dorokusai]

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.

[toddco]

GOD I love this place.PB&J on your intellectula NADS:eek::D:D