New Amplifier shortlist - For a rich, fullbodied sound [EDIT - read Smooth/Warm].

[crusaderlord]

I have owned three of the amps being mentioned so can add my own opinions which may help.

I had the NAD 320BEE a year or two back and it is a great amp for the money, punchy and warm and was perfect in my budget system - to be honest i wish i had kept it for my son to have. If you want a low cost amp then this is the real deal.

I upgraded to the Arcam A70 when i got an Arcam cd player a year ago and whilst it is cleaner and more detailed than the NAD, it is on the lean side bass wise and i did ultimately feel something was missing. It was still very decent for the £300 i bought it for and my brother partnered it with Monitor Audio BR5's with much more success (these speakers carry far more bass than my own preference for standmounts).

Eventually i gave in and tried the Arcam A32 due to the end of range offers and it shone far above the aforementioned amps i had owned and also above those from Cambridge Audio i demo'd. Really it is a class above the NAD 320 and the A70 if you can stretch to it and is worth the extra cash. Remember it was a £1200 amp not that long ago so at the price it has dropped to i think its great value.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice Branoc, i'll bear that in mind about the Rega.
Matthewpiano - dont worry I hadn't ignored your advice Re. the Denon, but I couldnt find it stocked anywhere or on eBay (only the lower models).

I do have a Denon tuner (the well reviewed DAB one) so i'm not a total snob. But I do like to try and buy British (I mean Chinese!) where possible

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all the other posters on page 4!

I think its pretty well a consensus that the A32 would fit the bill and really is special.
If not I might gamble with a Musical Fidelity or go cheap/brand-new and get a NAD as they get some good discounts online and I do like the NAD sound (i've had 3 already; 310, c340, 3020e).

Thanks again and keep posting if you see something I might find interesting and a bargain!

 

[Anonymous]

A quick further question Re. NADs.
What about the amps futher up the range? I've no doubt the c320 and c325 are great amps for the money, but what about the £300-£400 bracket (RRP)?

Has anyone had experience with the c372 or c355/350?

Thanks...

 

[Anonymous]

..just to throw something else in the mix.
I could buy a new Cambridge Audio 840a (not V2) in 2 weeks time. I've read some reviews saying its very clear and open, but not harsh which may or may not be what i'm looking for but Richer Sounds do offer a 30 money back guarantee. Anyway its £399 down from £749 which puts it into the NAD C355BEE territory! bear in mind the A32 would be more like £600 ex demo or £400 second hand.

It must be worth a punt? After all its the best scenario, a home demo!

Comments welcome...

 

[d_a_n1979]

There are still NAD C352 integrated amps out there for sale (new and 2nd hand) and theyre very good. Got a great review from the WHFI team as well!

The NAD C355BEE is its replacement but it didnt get as good a review but its still a belting amp.

IMO; both would be better than the C/A 840 as i find that C/A stuff a little lean/clinical/forward and thats NOT what youre after!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the heads up Dan.
I thought the C355bee was WHF amplifier of the year?

 

[crusaderlord]

Personally i did not rate the Cambridge Audio any where near as good as the Arcam A32 and from your descriptions you seem to like a smoother sound like i do.

The NAD C352 is also a good amp which i have tried out and can recommend.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just spoken to Audio-T and they would be happy to let me try at home any of the amps for a weekend (nice). But, they only do the Arcam A18 in that price bracket, or a discounted Cyrus 6/8VS2 which doesnt give me a lot of choice....

....I could try another dealer in the area but I guess with brand new/retail prices £500 just doesnt produce a lot of options.