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Thread: How is the new Masters Series of NAD? |
    
New member Username: Daniel
Canada
Post Number: 1
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 10:12 pm: |
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Thanks, Daniel |
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Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 633
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 08:38 am: |
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Read a new review of the 7 channel amp with the pre and CD?DVD player in French magazine Quebec Audio et Video and they thought it was fantastic along with impressive build quality. Also there is something new in the Absolute Sound but I did not read it.
I listened to the M3 and was very impressed as well. |
Gold Member Username: Petergalbraith
Rimouski,
Quebec
Canada
Post Number: 1766
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 01:03 pm: |
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Any NAD ads in the QAV issue? ;-)
You never know with Franco... |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 636
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 02:35 pm: |
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Of course there is Peter! I had a funny feeling someone would mention that! I am sure that has something to do with it but I did hear the M3 in
Montreal recently and was very impressed. Very clear sound.
I trust my ears more than anything and after many hours of listening to so many makes over the years along with cables, speakers etc.....I am happy to report that we must all be careful what we read. I have listened to some equipment at multiple times the cost of what I have only to be very disappointed that it was only maybe a fraction better however, I have heard some that are very good. In my experience, the best tweek is speakers. That is where I noticed the most difference. The least difference would be amps than source such as CD players. Cables did nothing for me as well as power cords.
In my opinion, my 272's and 162 by NAD is still with me because I have not found much better. I will also be able to afford new equipment at a regular basis when NAD decide to change their line-up whereas I would not be able to do that with an amp costing a gazillion dollars!
There is no doubt that there are mega choices but it all comes down to what you like. It seems that so many people are always wanting more not even knowing what it is they want because they have not listened to very much gear. Find a good shop and spend the day really listening with an open mind and you will see that sometimes what you have is pretty darn good. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 749
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 03:26 pm: |
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Danman - I agree. After listening to a $35 -$40 grand Krell/Sonus Faber set-up in a shop a while back, I thought to myself, while it sounded very nice, I'd rather my NAD and humble B&W's and a new car for that sort of money. The 162/272 kit is certainly hard to beat for the money imo.
I'm not so sure I'd like to audition the Master series. I know my wife wouldn't like me to. They look nice and well built from the info I've seen. |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 637
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 04:03 pm: |
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Trust me...........I was really more blown away with the quality and finish for that little amount of money! Cripes a Bryston amp is 3 times the price and it did not sound any better or was it better built only you have a 20 year warantee that is certainly in the price!
By the way, the new NAD 7 channel amp weighs 100 pounds!! |
Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 3822
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 05:00 pm: |
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yikes! |
Silver Member Username: Gamerdude
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 115
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 01:12 pm: |
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wish i could aford a nad =( there so much money erg guess ill have to find me a job |
Gold Member Username: Chitown
Post Number: 1213
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 01:31 pm: |
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"Cripes a Bryston amp is 3 times the price and it did not sound any better "
Oh no. dem is fighting woids. Bryston is good stuff and the pride and joy of the Canadian nation.
I'd have to list to this unit myself and also see how the overall build quality of the brand has changed to accept this. |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 639
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:08 pm: |
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Bryston is excellent gear but if there was any real difference between it and the new NAD, I did not notice it! Sorry. |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 640
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:11 pm: |
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In all honesty, the only gear that I actually noticed any difference was YBA, NAIM and the Moon I7. However, they were around 3-4000$ more! |
Gold Member Username: Chitown
Post Number: 1214
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:18 pm: |
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If that's so then good for NAD. Hopefully this can revive their ailing company. |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 641
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:58 pm: |
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Hey.............my ears only! May not be your bag. They are not ailing by the way! |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 3516
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:46 pm: |
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The NAD Masters Series sounds pretty good but is easily outclassed by similarly priced gear from the likes of Sugden and Simaudio to just name 2. Again like Danman said that is just my opinion. |
Bronze Member Username: Allen
Post Number: 20
Registered: Sep-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 11:04 pm: |
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Danman/Rantz,
I have a Nad T752 receiver driving a pair of Dyns 52.I'm planning to add a Nad 272 and use the receiver's preamp.Will I get much improvement If I go with the Nad C162/272 rather than the T752pre/272 combo?
thanks |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 643
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 09:07 am: |
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The 162 is a true pre-amp and is very hard to beat for the price. I don't know of any other audio company that sells a pre-amp and power amp for this price. The sound will be clearer and have more controled bass. However, if you want to save money, your way would have little difference as nothing is night and day in audio anymore and don't let anyone convince you otherwise unless you hear it yourself.
Many people on this board have very little listening experience and go by specs only.....listen to your ears and make your own judgement. You don't have to refinance the house to have great sound anymore. Many high end companies are having a hard time these days and contrary to what Stof said a couple of posts before this one, NAD is not an ailing company! They posted an increase last year in sales from what my dealer told me and he has been selling them for over 20 years. The competition between NAD and Cambridge Audio is fierce and that helps us that do not want to spend a fortune on gear that only will get you between 5-7% better sound!
To answer your initial question, the 272 will make a difference all by itself or with the 162.... |
Bronze Member Username: Bunny
Big D,
Texas
Post Number: 47
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 01:58 pm: |
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Danman,
What about the wharfedales, are you still pretty happy with them?
Just asking because I am looking for a pair of speakers to go with a HK 3480 and have the 9.6's on my list.
Thanks |
Bronze Member Username: Bunny
Big D,
Texas
Post Number: 48
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 02:01 pm: |
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Sorry if I highjacked the thread a bit |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 644
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 04:00 pm: |
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I really like my Wharfedales. They are very well made and before I bought them I listened to about 5 pairs everything from JmLab to Dali's and I just liked their laid back sound and incredible bass. The influence of Quad is very obvious. I have recently listened to the Opus 2 and was blown away. Quite expensive but in a league of high end gear no doubt!
Speakers are very personal and the piece of equipment that makes a lot of difference more than any other so listen first if you can. Be careful of those that will try to sell you something made of really nice wood and colours that takes up 3/4 of the price tag. Sound is what counts and in today's society, many have forgot to use their ears instead of eyes for audio gear probably due to the AV fad. Music and video are two different things and should be kept that way. |
Bronze Member Username: Bunny
Big D,
Texas
Post Number: 49
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 04:48 pm: |
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Thanks a lot for your reply.
Nice system you have there, mine is very similar! as you can see in my profile.
Anyway, I really appreciate your input. |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 645
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 08:43 am: |
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Yes I have noticed you have a very simular set-up. The only difference is that I am using 2 272's each bridged and I love it that way. Hard to beat for the price in my opinion.
I have owned more that 10 different NAD systems over the last 12 years and upgrade all the time when they bring out something new. I am hoping for a new CD player by them soon. Their price range and incredible value allow me to keep doing this. I could own this tiny expensive integrated amp and some book shelf speakers that cost about 3000$ but not have the satisfaction of full bodied sound. I am a hard person to convince of things unless I hear an obvious difference but have yet to experience that with gear that won't set me back thousands. It's about the music.
I should add that I recently bought a Pro-Ject DebutIII turntable and love the sound. I am still searching for the best ways to by LP's and am slowly learning. There is no doubt that the sound is better than any CD player under a few grand! My son calls the static sound "popcorn" but that is part of it's attraction. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 1599
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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Danman
Think about how much it has cost you over the 10 years upgrading, selling on the old kit etc. Then figure out what you could have bought ten years ago with that cash. I believe you'll find that you could have bought yourself stuff which is in a higher price bracket and got you more performance for your money.
Regards,
Frank. |
Silver Member Username: Danman
QUEBEC
CANADA
Post Number: 646
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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I already did think about that but I am not going to spend 15000$ in one shot and believe I am satisfied. I like to upgrade at a price level I can also have fun with.
As I keep saying, I have not heard a huge difference with what I have now except with gear that is 5 times the price I have and even then it is no where night and day! The only place I really will look into maybe buying at a higher price level is speakers. This is where I notice such a huge difference.
Frank you are totally right about adding up 12 years but the same could be said about cars and houses etc.......I would notbe satisfied nor happy with myself for spending a major fortune on something that may or may not achieve what I want to hear. Mostly, it is fun to change every few years. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 1444
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 08:47 pm: |
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I've got to agree with Art here. Remember, this is just my opinion. The M3 sounds good, but compared to other $3000 integrateds, it doesn't compete well at all. I've heard it a number of times with different sources, speakers, etc.
Give or take a few bucks (relatively speaking of course), intergateds from Bryston, Classe, McIntosh, SimAudio, and Musical Fidelity sounded significantly better to my ears.
To be completely honest, I think the Naim Nait 5i sounds much better. Granted, the M3 has a lot more power and will drive difficult speakers much better. But paired up with the right speakers, I'd much rather a Nait 5i. The Nait 5i retails for $1425. For about $3000, the Naim NAC 112x and NAP 150 combo run circles around the M3.
Disclaimer -
I'm a NAD fan. I've owned their gear for the last 12 years. They're the ones who got me into this whole mess in the first place. Their 'lower end' gear (C162/C272 combo and below) are some of the best gear around for the money. |
Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 3961
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 09:05 pm: |
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To drop 3k on a power package, I really gotta think a pre-loved combo like cp50 pre and ca200 or ca300 is hard to beat. 3k with the ca200.
If thats a bit stiff, the Nad 162/272 is a proven winner for a great buck.
Aw sheet, it wins hands down! |
