NAD C372 with RM40s in a medium size room

john1970 · « **on:** 6 Apr 2006, 10:53 pm »

To all,

Just to let all potential VMPS buyers know that if you are placing your VMPS speakers in a small to medium size room a good inexpensive integrated amp to consider is the NAD C372. My room dimensions are 12 x 25 x8 and the NAD has no problems filling to room with music and does an excellent job on the bass. My listening position is ~ 9' from the VMPS RM40s and with the correct music I can feel the couch vibrate along with the nearby wall. I also briefly heard a pair of NuForce 9.02 and I could not hear a difference in my small/medium size room in a nearfield position. In a larger room with a more farfield listening position a larger amp may be necessary.

Just my experience to date.

Cheers,

John

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 11:10 pm »

john1970:
I had a pair of NAD 218THX amps running in mono for six years. Nothing and I mean nothing could get down into that deep bass as the Nad's could. Lot's of bang for the bucks in Nad gear. You would have to spend a lot more $$$$ to top your C372. Enjoy!

Cheers
Charlie

pacifico · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 11:18 pm »

I've had mixed experiences with the very same amp. I use it with a set a paradigms. It is very powerful, however I think tht the preamp could be much better. It is a relatively cheap amp for around $800or so. I will probrably mod it out with a tubed preamp to remove some of the harshness I hear.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 11:48 pm »

pacifico:
Way to go my man! A tube preamp does something for the system. I have the CIAudio D-200 amps and the AVA T7ECR tube preamp. I am very pleased with what I hear now.
I had a great C.J.-PFR S.S. preamp and when I switched to the AVA it was a much better sound I was hearing. Even with the Nad's

Cheers
Charlie

pacifico · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 12:07 am »

That's really great... I was considering the dodd audio entry level pre amp for its price. I think you can get one for about 500 w/ 2 preouts. Eventually, I will switch to an almarro set amp or the D200s. They have also caught my eye. As far as speakers go, I guess you can figure that my interest in set amps will go hand in hand with some single driver speakers. I' ll add a sub for full range sound.

Thanks for mentioning your experience with a tube preamp for the NAD. I was really on the fence about it. I need to plot my audio budget very carefully for the next two to three years. I have about $1500 to dump now on purchases. I plan roll as much of it into next year as possible so I can get new speakers.

Finally the new odyssey audio preamp has caught my eye but I would like to hear some first impressions. Overall I am not in a rush to buy anyhting for now. the bug that was supposed to bite me in the spring will probrably bite in the fall.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 12:23 am »

pacifico:
If you stick with the Paradigms and Nad amp you will not need a sub. My Nad's drove paradigms Studio 100's Great combo. However if you do feel that you need a sub I strongly recommend you consider an M&K Sub. That's all they do is subs and satellites. Great combination. Especially the older versions made in the late 70's or early 80's

Cheers
Charlie

pacifico · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 01:23 am »

Thanks for the sub recommendation. I'll only get a sub if I go single driver/SET amp. That's at least two years off. As thing stand, I get plenty of bass from system as is. I have my speakers (paradigm monitors) about 3 to 4 feet out from the rear wall. That is where they need to be. They are very postion sensitive. Right now, I think that smoothing things out with a tube pre amp would be the way to go. Our conversation tonight has confirmed that for me. Thanks-ap

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 01:36 am »

pacifico:
One more thing you should try to get that harsh sound out of your system is interconnect cables.
Take a look at bluejeanscable.com. Very fine products.

Cheers
Charlie

john1970 · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 01:40 am »

To all,

I also recommend blue jeans cable. An excellent product at a fair price. Their standard interconnects use Belden shielded cable with the best RCA connectors I have ever seen at their price. Period.

Cheers,

John