Looking for a new Amp: your suggestions

[admin_exported]

Current I have a Nad 302, about 15 yesrs old, running Tannoy Fusion F3 floorstanders, and playing music (all genres) from a Sony BDP-380 BluRay player, Minidisc player, PVR, and television. The sound is good, bass is tuneful and deep. Even the wife noticed the difference when I upgraded the speakers, so that's saying something. So a new amp must pass the 'Wife's Ears' listening test.

I feel the amp is a little long in the tooth now, and I'm looking for a replacement. I do love Nad amps and have had my eye on a C316BEE. However, I'm not ruling out other amps as long as they are not too strident*.

Am I right in thinking that the C316CEE is much smaller than other amps?

*When I bought the Nad 302 all those years ago, I also tried a Marantz amp that was popular at the time. Despite the great reviews it was getting, for my setup and speakers (Tannoy again, as I didin't like the sound of the Missions doing the rounds at that time) the sound was very harsh and cold, like sitting in a bath of ice cubes.

As the family is beginning to watch more films, an amp that is good with film sound would be ideal, but music must be the main function, so please don't suggest an AV receiver! There is absolutely NO possibility of setting up a surround system.

Budget is limited to around £200.

What do you suggest? I know I probably won't get a lot for that money, but the sales are coming up...

Thanks in advance

Tannoid

 

[plastic penguin]

Given you like Nad brand I'd look at a 326BEE or 352. Looking at other makes then really only Roksan Kandy MKIII may just exceed your budget.

 

[unison]

if there is nothing wrong with your nad, and you like the sound can I suggest you consider something else. especially if your minidisc has a digital output. what about a dac that has lots of inputs. eg Cambridge. you could connect most of your list digitally. if your budget is just 200 I would look in the secondhand market. there are a number of specialists in this area of the market.

 

[unison]

if there is nothing wrong with your nad, and you like the sound can I suggest you consider something else. especially if your minidisc has a digital output. what about a dac that has lots of inputs. eg Cambridge. you could connect most of your list digitally. if your budget is just 200 I would look in the secondhand market. there are a number of specialists in this area of the market.

 

[unison]

if there is nothing wrong with your nad, and you like the sound can I suggest you consider something else. especially if your minidisc has a digital output. what about a dac that has lots of inputs. eg Cambridge. you could connect most of your list digitally. if your budget is just 200 I would look in the secondhand market. there are a number of specialists in this area of the market.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting idea about the DAC.

I would consider it, but my minidisc recordings are gradually being transferred to CD/DVD as they are too precious to lose should the player give up the ghost. And as the television and sat receiver (which I forgot to mention in my original post) have no digital output, I think a DAC would be wasted.

I'll look at what is on offer in the sales. I see Hyperfi and Richer Sounds are already sending out details of Boxing Day bargains...

 

[Anonymous]

if there is nothing wrong with your nad, and you like the sound can I suggest you consider something else. especially if your minidisc has a digital output. what about a dac that has lots of inputs. eg Cambridge. you could connect most of your list digitally. if your budget is just 200 I would look in the secondhand market. there are a number of specialists in this area of the market.

Unison, I am revisiting your idea as a hifi store close to me (not Richer Sounds) suggested using Arcam's rDac. I had decided to audition the Marantz PM6003 and 6004, but the salesman I spoke to suggested that it wouldn't be significantly better than I already have. A DAC, however, would make a huge difference.

Looking at the devices I have connected to my Nad 302, every one of them, with the exception of my MP3 player, have a digital out:

Optical out: PVR, satellite receiver, TV, Minidisc, DVD player

SPDIF out: Minidsic (?), DVD player

So a DAC could be worth considering. However, two things concern me: most DACs have 1 input (I'm not including USB conenctions), but the DacMagic has two, but that's not really enough; more concerning, would my amp/speaker setup reveal any improvement in sound?

TIA for any comments.

 

[Anonymous]

With a budget of £200, you have a few choices. The NAD 316BEE or AMC3020 will outperform your current amp but don't expect a huge improvement.