A question: NAD C372 with RM40s?

john1970 · « **on:** 12 Mar 2006, 03:24 pm »

Dear Everyone,

I will be receiveing my RM40s within the next few weeks. I will be using them in one-half of a relatively small room (12x25x8) in near-field listening (listening distance will be ~9 ft. and speakers will be 5' apart). I currently have a NAD C372 amp (150 W /channel @ 4 ohms rms and 305 W / channel dynamic @ 4 ohms). Will this amp be enough to drive the speakers to reasonable sound levels (max SPL of 90 dB @ my listening position - I like to keep my hearing.)

If not, could you recommend a good amp (new or used) that could be used to biamp the bass section for less than $1K. I am considering a pair of Outlaw Audio M-2200 monoblocks (300 W @ 4 ohms / rms) for ~$625.

Thank you,

John

John Casler · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 08:09 pm »

Quote from: john1970

Dear Everyone,

I will be receiveing my RM40s within the next few weeks. I will be using them in one-half of a relatively small room (12x25x8) in near-field listening (listening distance will be ~9 ft. and speakers will be 5' apart). I currently have a NAD C372 amp (150 W /channel @ 4 ohms rms and 305 W / channel dynamic @ 4 ohms). Will this amp be enough to drive the speakers to reasonable sound levels (max SPL of 90 dB @ my listening position - I like to keep my hearing.)

If not, could you recom ...

RM40s L-O-V-E Power. They eat it for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. MOST of that power goes to "fire" the Woofer/Bass section.

At $625 for 300w, (actually the Outlaw would be closer to 200w or less with an 8 ohm load) you could still (if it is not too late) look at adding $375 and going with the 500w PBS B, now offers.

The Outlaw will be less than 1/2 that power, doesn't have volume control (which can sometimes present a problem with level matching in a bi-amp) and also doesn't have the equalizer.

Just a thought, since it would allow you to have lot more flexibility.

I did see a Crown K2 for sale (which would also work well) for around $700 the other day, but I think it went fast.

john1970 · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 09:20 pm »

John C,

The NAD C372 has a second set of preamp outs with a volume control so there is no need to worry about level matching. I looked at the Crown K2 and it would definitely work interms of space. Would the crown K2 be a problem since it uses BALANCE connections to the preamp. The NAD is an UNBALANCED design. Please let me know.

Thanks,

John

P.S. I am going to use the NAD C372 as a start and upgrade to biamp in the future (next 6 months).

John Casler · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 09:27 pm »

Quote from: john1970

John C,

The NAD C372 has a second set of preamp outs with a volume control so there is no need to worry about level matching. I looked at the Crown K2 and it would definitely work interms of space. Would the crown K2 be a problem since it uses BALANCE connections to the preamp. The NAD is an UNBALANCED design. Please let me know.

Thanks,

John

P.S. I am going to use the NAD C372 as a start and upgrade to biamp in the future (next 6 months).

With the K2, you would need a cable RCA on one end and a phono plug on the other.

john1970 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Mar 2006, 10:14 pm »

Anyone else please give info.

Thanks,

John

opnly bafld · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 12:05 am »

john 1970,

I have RM40s and a NAD C272 which works well with the ribbons, but have noticed the bass drivers do much better with an amp that can deliver more current into the 4 ohm load.
Sorry no specific recommendations other than an amp that has greater output into 4 ohms.

opnly bafld

john1970 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 01:00 am »

opnly bafld,

What amp do you use for the bass section? If you don't recommend any specifics can you please specify the Watts / channel into 4 ohms?

Thank you,

John

opnly bafld · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 01:25 am »

john 1970,

I currently have an old, 10+ years, Eagle 2 and an Eagle 2C.
I believe they were rated at 120w @ 8 ohms and 240w @ 4 ohms.
Have also used Odyssey Stratos monos briefly @ 180w/ch, ?@ 4 ohms with good results because of high current capability.
Whatever Nad uses to limit current, 150 @ 8 and 150 @ 4 rating, seems to work well with speakers that are an easier load.
I'm not sure what rating per ch (at least 100 I would think) as much as ability to supply current into 4 ohms.

By the way my moniker has 2 meanings OB speakers and my mental state

john1970 · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 01:46 am »

opnly bafld,

Thank you for the advice. I will pick up a (used) Adcom 555 amp for the bass section when one becomes available locally. They typically go for less than $500 and are a solid high-current amp.

Will the NAD C372 suffice until I am able to pick up the Adcom?

Thank you again,

John

john1970 · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 02:01 am »

John,

Thanks for the advice, but I would rather keep the amps separate from the speaker. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the PBS RM40s incorporate the amp into the speaker. Besides, my experience with sub amps (from some very good manufacturers) is that they don't last very long.

THE QUESTION:

Although not ideal, will the NAD C372 function until I can get a decent amp for biamping the speakers?

Thank you again,

John

opnly bafld · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 02:03 am »

john1970,

Yes it will do fine, I just feel you will notice a nice improvement with more current capability on the bass drivers.

It would be nice if you could borrow a H C amp to see if you feel it makes any improvement before you buy one.

opnly bafld

john1970 · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 02:15 am »

opnly bafld,

Thanks for the reply. I agree that you can never have too much current, but I just wanted to ensure that it would funciton reasonably well.

Thanks,

J

warnerwh · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Mar 2006, 02:19 am »

I believe gongos will be selling a Parasound HCA 1500A soon. It's a great amp which should cost about the same as the Adcom but I'd say is better by a margin. It also has pots so you can adjust the gain and make sure your amps match output from the bass to upper range.