What amp would be a good upgrade over the NAD C352?

[admin_exported]

i am just pondering really I love the setup I have but no that the Roksan Kandy K2 is a significant improvement, however I can't afford it's current price. So guys, can you recommend some second hand amps to me?

I guess my budget would be around the 500.00 mark

 

[Anonymous]

Here is an old Pioneer SA-9800 .... standing on £250 with no bids .... seller has listed it under vintage electronics, so may sell for cheap

Not sure how it compares to you Nad ... if buying 2nd hand off ebay, take your time .... most bargains can be found on saturdays/sundays when many people list items

 

[d_a_n1979]

hi fi newbie:
i am just pondering really I love the setup I have but no that the Roksan Kandy K2 is a significant improvement, however I can't afford it's current price. So guys, can you recommend some second hand amps to me?

I guess my budget would be around the 500.00 mark

TBH, at that budget I wouldnt bother...

The NAD C352 is a brilliant amp and I think you'd have to spend closer to £1k to better it with your set-up.

The Roksan K2 amp would be a natural choice but I dont think it'd give you the same depth of soundstage the NAD does; you may even find it a little forward with the AE Neo 3 speakers.

The Rotel RA1520 would also be a consideration but I think it'd still be more of a sideways step.

I think really, after that and IMO, you'd have to look at amps like the Naim Nait XS or the Cyrus 8XP.

Have you thought about adding a NAD power amp to bi-amp instead? 2nd hand or ex-dem I'm sure you could find one within budget.

 

[crusaderlord]

i doubt the kandy 2 is much of an improvement on the NAD which is great value. so unless you dont like the sound of the NAD for some reason i would save up and head for the Roksan Caspian or other amp over £1k.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses, have you heard the Kandy K2? i have heard it and was quite impressed with it, it is a better sounding amp than my own, no question, but not sure if it's worth it's current price tag. However I guess it's reassuring to know that I have a very good amp

 

[Anonymous]

hi fi newbie:Thanks for the responses, have you heard the Kandy K2? i have heard it and was quite impressed with it, it is a better sounding amp than my own, no question, but not sure if it's worth it's current price tag. However I guess it's reassuring to know that I have a very good amp

there is always better, but at a price ... I also agree (from what I have read), thet the NAD is good value for money

if you want to better with £500 budget, you will need to look at something very old (like the Pioneer I suggested) .... or get very lucky .... but as mentioned, I have never heard your amp, and not so sure that the Pioneer will be a big improvement, as there have been some good reviews of the NAD

 

[crusaderlord]

ok ill be honest i have heard the Kandy not the Kandy 2 - i demo'd its forerunner directly against the NAD C352 and the Arcam Diva A70 when i had an old NAD C302 to replace.

at that time i thought if i am honest that the Kandy was clearer but a bit too bright. the NAD was very powerful and i was used to the NAD sound and liked it a lot. i preferred the Arcam A70 of the 3 as it was smooth and detailed and had a quality to it that felt more expensive.

so if you like the Kandy 2 then it may prove a good choice and if you get a good offer on the NAD then go for it. but i still say in relative terms it isnt a massive jump up and i would wait and save for the Caspian if you like Roksan or get a 2nd hand Arcam FMJ.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Good call Crusaderlord

I'd say that if the NAD C352 sold well as they are doing currently and with your budget; you could pick up a 2nd hand Arcam FMJ A32 integrated for a good price and have £££ leftovcer for maybe an interconnect/speaker cable re-vamp

However; I think if you're loking to updgrade have you considered chaning the speakers.

As good as the AE Neo 3's are; the Monitor Audio RX6's would be well worth auditioning and the NAD C352 would drive them very well indeed

 

[Anonymous]

Upgrading my speakers?

wash your mouth out! lol. Well I did read the excerpts from the whfi review of the Neo's and they did mention that it held it's own even in a high end system. So I am a bit surprised by your suggestion, not least because when I posted a preview thread regarding MA RS6's vs Neo 3's, the overall verdict seemed to be that there wasn't much in it.

So are you indicating that the RX6's are a big improvement on the RS6?

 

[Anonymous]

here is possibly an upgrade that could be a big step forward and could possibly be within your budget (these are old but good)

Pioneer Reference M73 power amp ... £300 and no bids

and from the same seller ... the matching Pioneer C-73 Control Amplifier for £250 with no bids

so, do some research, and contact the seller .... offer £460 for both ... you may be lucky .... but be carefull as you need both, so dont bid auction style in case you only get one (which will be useless on it's own)

but as mentioned, do some research before bidding

 

[SonofSun]

I have owned a C370 an FMJ A32 and a K2 , the K2 is easily the best amp of the three. I am assuming that the 352 must be a massive improvement from the 370 from the comments posted.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Kandy K2 will be considerably better than the Nad 352 with one priviso: you'll need better speakers. The Acoustic Energy's are very good, but the K2 needs better speakers.

Like crusaderlord, I tested my A65 Plus against the 352 and Rotel RA-02 and for me the Arcam had better all-round sonic balance. For a decent upgrade on the 352 the minimum would be Creek Evo - or if you're prepared up your budget a little - a s/hand Leema Pulse. They don't often come up on fleebay, and like the K2 will probably be found wanting on the speakers you have.

 

[plastic penguin]

plastic penguin:

The Kandy K2 will be considerably better than the Nad 352 with one priviso: you'll need better speakers. The Acoustic Energy's are very good, but the K2 needs better speakers.

Like crusaderlord, I tested my A65 Plus against the 352 and Rotel RA-02 and for me the Arcam had better all-round sonic balance. For a decent upgrade on the 352 the minimum would be Creek Evo - or if you're prepared up your budget a little - a s/hand Leema Pulse. They don't often come up on fleebay, and like the K2 will probably be found wanting on the speakers you have.

Thinking again - if you like the sound your Nad makes then why not bi-amp a power amp?

 

[the record spot]

dim_span:
here is possibly an upgrade that could be a big step forward and could possibly be within your budget (these are old but good)

Pioneer Reference M73 power amp ... £300 and no bids

and from the same seller ... the matching Pioneer C-73 Control Amplifier for £250 with no bids

so, do some research, and contact the seller .... offer £460 for both ... you may be lucky .... but be carefull as you need both, so dont bid auction style in case you only get one (which will be useless on it's own)

but as mentioned, do some research before bidding

The M73 is a bit of a classic by all accounts. Seriously worth considering. I'd bump up the offer to around the £500 for both though, or even £550.

 

[Anonymous]

the record spot:dim_span:

here is possibly an upgrade that could be a big step forward and could possibly be within your budget (these are old but good)

Pioneer Reference M73 power amp ... £300 and no bids

and from the same seller ... the matching Pioneer C-73 Control Amplifier for £250 with no bids

so, do some research, and contact the seller .... offer £460 for both ... you may be lucky .... but be carefull as you need both, so dont bid auction style in case you only get one (which will be useless on it's own)

but as mentioned, do some research before bidding

The M73 is a bit of a classic by all accounts. Seriously worth considering. I'd bump up the offer to around the £500 for both though, or even £550.

exactly my point .... the NAD is good (according to what I have read) ..... but it's not impossible to get a big upgrade for £500 especially if you go for older items

 

[the record spot]

Or you could spend £200 and get the Sansui AU717...an upgrade, power amp add-on capability rocks like a winner - easy peasy lemon squeezy!

 

[Anonymous]

the record spot:Or you could spend £200 and get the Sansui AU717...an upgrade, power amp add-on capability rocks like a winner - easy peasy lemon squeezy!

sadly .... not many people want to chance opting for older equipment .... all my equipmnet is old, and if I compare what I spent, vesus what I would have been able to buy new .... I would most prob not enjoy my system/music as much as I do

recent example .... paid £30 for an old silver Pioneer tape deck with matching pioneer tuner (£15 each ... both in mint condition) ... thats beer money

 

[plastic penguin]

dim_span:the record spot:dim_span:

here is possibly an upgrade that could be a big step forward and could possibly be within your budget (these are old but good)

Pioneer Reference M73 power amp ... £300 and no bids

and from the same seller ... the matching Pioneer C-73 Control Amplifier for £250 with no bids

so, do some research, and contact the seller .... offer £460 for both ... you may be lucky .... but be carefull as you need both, so dont bid auction style in case you only get one (which will be useless on it's own)

but as mentioned, do some research before bidding

The M73 is a bit of a classic by all accounts. Seriously worth considering. I'd bump up the offer to around the £500 for both though, or even £550.

exactly my point .... the NAD is good (according to what I have read) ..... but it's not impossible to get a big upgrade for £500 especially if you go for older items

Big brutes; if you're rack is strong enough to house two sub-power stations it'll probably be worth a punt.

 

[Anonymous]

Food for thought definitely, thanks

 

[d_a_n1979]

I really would look at bi-amping before you decide to upgrade the NAD C352.

The C352 is such a good amp that as I said above; I dont think you'll better it unless you can double your budget.

Have a nosey round for the NAD power amps and see what you can do.

When I had my NAD C320BEE years ago I wanted to bi-amp my B&W 603 S3 speakers but couldnt find anywhere that did NAD power amps. I ended up using an Arcam P75 power amp and it really helped to improve the soundstage and overall clarity!