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Those sound like great choices! I own an NAD C525BEE and Paradigm 7se speakers (ancestor of the Monitor 7) and love both.
NAD amplification is great, too. Unless you really need the extra power, though, you might want to consider a 352 or 325 instead. NAD will also be updating their product line soon, and most components will see price increases. You may want to wait and see the new line before you buy. Also, old stock is typically priced very attractively relative to the new models.
If you're just looking for a thumbs up, I think you'd be very pleased with that equipment. You seem to have done your homework.
Good choice with the NAD. I've owned their gear in the past and was most happy with its' sound.
Eric makes a good point about the 325 and 352 amps. I listened to all the NAD int amps and had a preference for the "BEE" series (315, 320 & 325). Just last week I listened to the C315BEE amp and C515BEE cd player - basic features but a very smooth, musical sound. If you don't require a lot of power I would certainly consider this set-up. Good luck.
Erik and Mike, thank you for the advice.
Being objective, I don't need the additional power of the NADC372. Now I'm trying to decided between the C352 and C325BEE.
I'm hoping you can help me with three questions.
1. How would I hook up a phono to either C352 or C325BEE?
2. Does the C352 have a 3.5mm plug for MP3 players?
3. Is there a spec. on either amp that seperates one from the other?
Thanks,
Derek
1. NAD makes the PP-2 for use with its amplifiers. It's a nice little phono stage and is very reasonably priced ($130).
2. No, as far as I am aware, the 352 does not have a 3.5mm plug. You could always go to Radio Shack and buy a Y-cable, though.
3. The specifications differ primarily in power output. I believe there are other differences that distinguish the circuitry in the 352 from the 325, but I'm unsure what they are. It's likely that your dealer will know.
Derek,
Good answers, from Erik, to your questions.
As for question #3: the 352 generates 80 watts while the 325BEE is 50 watts. Another difference is the the 325BEE was designed by Bjorn Eric Edvardsen, NAD chief engineer.
Any NAD equipment with the "BEE" notation has different circuitry design, than other NAD pieces. I had owned an amp and cd player, some 20 years ago, that were "BEE" designs. Then, just as now, the BEE has a slightly different sound.
Even though the 325BEE has less power I would still choose it over the others. From what you've described is seems that a 50 watt device would be a good choice.
Mike
ps: I forgot to post this www.nadelectronics.com/articles/c325bee-best-buy be sure to check it out.
Also, the C315BEE amp has the MP3 input jack...this is a 40 watt unit but, again, great sound.
I own the nad 325bee, which I use with a nad c542 cd player and wharfedale diamond 9.2s in my secondary system. I love this system and listen to it for hours on end. I would definitely give the 325bee a shot. Also consider the nad c542 cd player, which although more expensive than the 525bee, may give you a bit more performance. My dealer suggested I spend the extra money and I have not regretted it. I am a big fan of nad components. I think they are among the best bargains out there.
Very interesting and that makes me wonder (excuse my ignorance) what makes a stereo system particular sound, the amp or the preamp? I asked you this because as I love the NAD "BEE" sound but would like more power, I was thinking to use the NAD C325BEE as a preamp and a NAD C272 (150w *2) as an amp. Will this combo affect the sound that the C325BEE will provide or on the contrary, will it get that same sound to sound lounder, stronger, thicker and overall better? Thank you for your insights!
I can only speculate as to how such a combination would sound. The "BEE" models are engineered to have a sound of their own...and not to sound like a non-BEE model. That being said, I would think that feeding a BEE preamp into a non-BEE power amp would give you a "mixed" sound.
I don't recall seeing a BEE power amp. If there is such a thing, yes, I am sure that combining a BEE pre and power amp would give that BEE sound. Maybe this is an idea NAD should investigate.
Hope this vague answer helps.
The preamp or amp question is kinda like which came first the chicken or the egg. Either way, in my opinion, both serve purposes. It is just a tough question answer.
How true, how true, fred. And I guess one has to decide if they want their chicken fried or slow roasted and their eggs scrambled or poached. As long as the final product is enjoyable.