NAD C390DD or Musical Fidelity M6i or ATC SIA2-150 MK2

[michael hoy]

Hi,

I have been trying to work out which amp to buy for a while now and these are the ones I want to demo.

NAD C390DD, Musical Fidelity M6i or ATC SIA2-150 MK2.

The NAD is fairly new, therefore not many people will have heard it (seen the WHF review. Has any one any experience of any or all of these.

 

[Macspur]

Hi,

I have been trying to work out which amp to buy for a while now and these are the ones I want to demo.

NAD C390DD, Musical Fidelity M6i or ATC SIA2-150 MK2.

The NAD is fairly new, therefore not many people will have heard it (seen the WHF review. Has any one any experience of any or all of these.

Hi,

What sort of music do you listen to?

What don't you like about your current set up?

The only one of them I've demoed was the ATC and it wasn't to my taste... too dry, but to be fare, it was paired with ATC SCM40's and a Naim CDP, which didn't do it any favours.

I've heard nothing but good things about the MF, but sorry know nothing about NAD.

Mac

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

Have only heard the M6i and found it very smooth, creamy sort of sound (whatever that means), plenty of power, good airy space between instruments that doesn't shout at you and overall a very nice sounding amp, very popular with quite a few people here.

For my tastes although I liked the deep bass that rich smooth sound had just wasn't for me but would still say it is a fantastic amp if that is the sound you are looking for.

Would you be using your new amp with your spendors ?

Good luck

 

[CnoEvil]

You have picked 3 good'ns there.

I would also add the Electrocompaniet ECI-5, which I would take over the MF and ATC (but it's personal).....haven't heard the Nad.

 

[michael hoy]

Yes would be keeping the Spendor A3's for now.

 

[Anonymous]

Cue the ATC usual suspects....

 

[dragon76]

I guess the ATC amp is really developed for ATC passive speakers, so if you those (or plan on buying), this should be your top choice.

NAD and MF are completely different animals. As noted, MF is very powerful and a bit on smooth side, quite hot running and heavy. NAD is more precise and neutral, digital inputs only (no spend on DAC), and with modern functionality of speaker matching and room correction. So your choice is not only relates to performance of these two, but also to functionality and what sources you are going to use.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

I guess the ATC amp is really developed for ATC passive speakers, so if you those (or plan on buying), this should be your top choice.

Hi dragon76

Yes, I would say that it is fair to say that the SIA2-150 MK2 has been primarily been designed for ATC's passive monitors. However in my experience I've found speakers from other manufacturers such as Mission, Dynaudio, Monitor Audio, KEF, Elac, B&W, Spendor, Acoustic Energy (recently sold an SIA2-150 MK2 to partner Reference 1's), Proac, Focal, Epos, etc. to also pair well with the SIA2-150 MK2.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[michael hoy]

You have picked 3 good'ns there.

I would also add the Electrocompaniet ECI-5, which I would take over the MF and ATC (but it's personal).....haven't heard the Nad.

Thanks Cno, I will have a look at this one as well.

 

[CnoEvil]

You have picked 3 good'ns there.

I would also add the Electrocompaniet ECI-5, which I would take over the MF and ATC (but it's personal).....haven't heard the Nad.

Thanks Cno, I will have a look at this one as well.

No probs.

The Sugden A21SE also goes well with Spendor.

 

[BenLaw]

Cue the ATC usual suspects....

Odd, I've never seen you post the equivalent on, for example, a kef thread.

 

[SteveR750]

I had the NAD on loan for a week. I wanted to love it, but with hindsight I really didn't, and glad I didn't keep it. Why not add in the Caspian M2 to yor shortlist?

 

[Sabby]

I had the NAD on loan for a week. I wanted to love it, but with hindsight I really didn't, and glad I didn't keep it. Why not add in the Caspian M2 to yor shortlist?

Hi Steve

What did you not like about the Nad?

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The NAD is well worth an audition, it is very tight in the bass and although it could be classed as brittle in the top end it should match well with the Spendors.

 

[michael hoy]

The NAD is well worth an audition, it is very tight in the bass and although it could be classed as brittle in the top end it should match well with the Spendors.

My initial thought was to go with the NAD, I am used to the digital amplification having the Pioneer LX85.

 

[CnoEvil]

My initial thought was to go with the NAD, I am used to the digital amplification having the Pioneer LX85.

In which case Bel Canto are worth a listen - C7R (built in DAC / Phono / Tuner) or the cheaper C5i (has DAC / Phono)

 

[SteveR750]

I had the NAD on loan for a week. I wanted to love it, but with hindsight I really didn't, and glad I didn't keep it. Why not add in the Caspian M2 to yor shortlist?

Hi Steve

What did you not like about the Nad?

Never quite got my feet tapping, sounded a bit too polite perhaps. The bass was lacking in depth and also sounded a little muddier and one noted than the M2. It was potential purchase with my eyes / heart and not my ears, as previous NAD amps I have owned have inured themselves to the point where they were a pets cat or dog!

Truth is I much preferred the M2 / DACmagic+ than the NAD for which I needed a week long home demo plus some friends who are not interested in hi fi to apreciate what I was really hearing. Had I been in a shop demo room, being impulsive I probably would have bought it.