Abrahamsen V2.0 upgraded amp really good?

[peterpan]

I read good things about this amp. But is it really so good? Here in Holland you can not buy it. Only order it in Norway. I have now a NAD C356. What are the differences? Is it better than de NAD? Especially with rock and metal.

 

[Al ears]

I read good things about this amp. But is it really so good? Here in Holland you can not buy it. Only order it in Norway. I have now a NAD C356. What are the differences? Is it better than de NAD? Especially with rock and metal.

I have never owned one but it is obviously highly regarded by many.

As far as I am concerned amplifiers cannot distinguish between genres of music being played through them and the sound, ultimately, is down to your speakers.

What do you find lacking with you NAD?

 

[Al ears]

I read good things about this amp. But is it really so good? Here in Holland you can not buy it. Only order it in Norway. I have now a NAD C356. What are the differences? Is it better than de NAD? Especially with rock and metal.

Sorry, double post.

 

[Nelis87]

While I do believe its a good amp, I don't like to order something I cannot hear or see. Where I live in Holland there are so many shops with amps I can audition and choose from its not even funny, so I never felt the need to purchase something overseas. Also disliking their website, can't find any product info / specs but maybe thats just me being clueless.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I've owned a abrahamsen 2up amplifier in the past it's a good amplifier for the money it will play any kind of music including heavy metal music really well you just need the right speakers to get the best out of metal music .

but the only issue with the abrahamsen is the lack of inputs and no onboard dac and the fact that there customer service sucks so if you have a issue with it you might have to wait sometime before it's fixed .

do not buy the abrahamsen cdplayer as this will give you issues with reliability but the abrahamsen 2up is a good amplifier for the money and will run any speakers you hook it up with .

it has a massive power supply which will help keep up with any kind of music you throw at the abrahamsen and excellent bass control .

 

[peterpan]

Okay, but is it a upgrade of the NAD c356?

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Okay, but is it a upgrade of the NAD c356?

yes easily a good up grade but like I've said the abrahamsen will not have so meany inputs at the back like your nad has but the abrahamsen will be better amplifier .

the other option is a marantz PM8005 which is just as good with all the inputs at the back and you would be getting a better warranty with the marantz .

 

[plastic penguin]

My hunch is it would better the Nad technically, however...

Given you taste for warm sounding amps they don't come warmer than the 356.

And as you can't dem the Abrahamsen, I would stick with the presentation you know.

**EDIT*** FWIW I would be looking at something like this.

 

[Vladimir]

I read good things about this amp. But is it really so good? Here in Holland you can not buy it. Only order it in Norway. I have now a NAD C356. What are the differences? Is it better than de NAD? Especially with rock and metal.

What is the difference between Dacia and Mercedes? Technically Mercedes is better, but maybe you want more space for kids and junk in your car. Maybe you are a Dacia guy.

If you want to audition Abrahamsen, find Electrocompaniet amps, considering the same guy made them.

 

[plastic penguin]

Assuming you can find an Electrocompaniet dealer. They are very few and far between.

 

[Al ears]

Assuming you can find an Electrocompaniet dealer. They are very few and far between.

There are eight dealers listed for the Netherlands.

 

[plastic penguin]

Sure there are, about the same as in our little island.

Not sure about getting direct comparisons between Electro and Abs. I know about Per, but as Vlad has used car analogy a few posts ago. You can compare it Henrik Fisker, who designed Aston Martins from 2001 - 2005. He has now started his car company, producing electric cars. I'm not sure if you can compare Astons with fledgling electric car.

 

[Vladimir]

Sure there are, about the same as in our little island.

Not sure about getting direct comparisons between Electro and Abs. I know about Per, but as Vlad has used car analogy a few posts ago. You can compare it Henrik Fisker, who designed Aston Martins from 2001 - 2005. He has now started his car company, producing electric cars. I'm not sure if you can compare Astons with fledgling electric car.

That would make sense if Per started making Class D amps with switched-mode power supplies. The circuit design and philosophy remaind all the same, even the looks. Main Electrocompaniet offering hasn't changed much since he sold it to the new owners.

 

[plastic penguin]

If there's no other viable alternative then yes I agree. Not too sure how that'll work in reality: "Hello. I want to dem your Electrocompaniet amplifier. Won't be buying your product as the cheaper Abrahamsen is more desirable for my budget."

Could be a bit awkward.

 

[Vladimir]

If there's no other viable alternative then yes I agree. Not too sure how that'll work in reality: "Hello. I want to dem your Electrocompaniet amplifier. Won't be buying your product as the cheaper Abrahamsen is more desirable for my budget."

Could be a bit awkward.

Maybe OP ends up buying an Electro.

 

[peterpan]

Thanks for the comments. I'am very satisfied with my NAD C356; with my music better than the new 368 who are boring, no punch and has lost the NAD warmth. It there must be a new one that's why i was thinking of Abrahamsen. But not to buy in the Netherlands. And if it has broken you have a problem. By the way; I've heard from a dealer that the new Denon pma 1600NE must be awesome. He said soundwise like the old NAD's. Warm, punchy, detail; stunning. It's a total new amp from Denon who will back to there old glorius hifi time.

I still have the MA RX6. Not perfect of course, but still nice to hear. Highs sometimes too bright and forward, but that's also come from my metal music. I will go for speakers with a bigger sound and more/better bass. More body too. I think MA silver 8, Q acoustics concept 40, Tannoy XT8F.

 

[plastic penguin]

If you can dem the Denon (which AFAIK isn't available in the UK) that's good. Otherwise I would stick with your 356BEE. You know they work well with MA Silver range.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

If you can dem the Denon (which AFAIK isn't available in the UK) that's good. Otherwise I would stick with your 356BEE. You know they work well with MA Silver range.

I do strongly recommend that the OP buys a amplifier with good warranty as I know the abrahamsen company is a bit hit and miss in customer service as I found out with one of there cdplayers having a fault straight out of the box I had to sell it with a issue which is not very good .

i could not fault the abrahamsen 2up amplifier I never had a issue with it breaking it is excellent value for money but I do think there plenty of fish in the sea like I found out with my Yamaha .

 

[Andrewjvt]

Please keep the nad with the security of knowing you now own the worlds warmest amp for rock.

Tell obiwan also

 

[Vladimir]

Please keep the nad with the security of knowing you now own the worlds warmest amp for rock.

Tell obiwan also

It really is a nasty trend. People buy bright sounding speakers and then want warm amps.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Please keep the nad with the security of knowing you now own the worlds warmest amp for rock.

Tell obiwan also

It really is a nasty trend. People buy bright sounding speakers and then want warm amps. 

System matching/synergy
A way of getting poorly manufactured electronics to sound better.

I always think warning signs when a review says: be careful of system matching then still give it a good score.

 

[plastic penguin]

I really don't like guttersnipes at MA Silver range. Having owned RS6s for years, and heard with a plethora of amps, they really aren't beelzebub.

RX version are alittle more restraint in the top end. Sure they aren't warm and woolley.

Even though I love PMC, still have a soft spot for MA Silvers.

 

[peterpan]

Yes, i like a warm sound, but not boring. I've heard Kef R500. Find it a very overrated speaker. Poor bass, bad highs and very boring. Not for rock and metal. The Concept 40 maybe good for me. But must hear it. And with my NAD amp. I've heard the Tannoy XT6F. Not good. Not warm, miss body and bass. The XT8F is different. That's why i will hear it. There is also Focal Aria 926. But find this a bit expensive here. Not heard. And the MA silver 8. I read there comes a new silver line. Maybe better wait for it.

 

[CnoEvil]

System matching/synergy A way of getting poorly manufactured electronics to sound better.

IMO. That is too simplistic.

"Bright" is subjective, where one person's "Bright" is another person's "Neutral"....and is also effected by the room and the positioning/set up, within that room. So generalizing seldom leads to satisfaction.

IME. Every brand has its own character and it's what comes out of the speakers, that really matters. At the end of the day, it's vital to be guided by personal preference and not the preferences of "Experts", or other well-meaning individuals.

 

[plastic penguin]

System synergy is as much about room acoustics as it is the components put together. Jeeze, I've banged on about room size and acoustics for years on here, and I haven't heard anything to change the theory.

This is why trying to advise on the ideal set-up can be a minefield - and it can backfire.