New NAD HDMI 1.3 Preamp and Multi-channel amp

[EricPU]

Any news on this one chaps, as to its availability? Are we still on for a November release can anyone confirm?

Cheers,
Eric

[BIKER]

Jerry,

The price sounds great for the pre-AMP/AMP combo for 5 channels at $4000.

I'm leaning towards avoiding a single package unit to drive some CANTON 890DC or CANTON Ref. 7DC speakers w/ the following specs.

Technical Data
Type High-End floorstanding speaker
Engineering Principle 3-way Bass reflex system
Nom. /Music power handling 170 / 340 watts
SPL (1 watt/1m) 88.5 db (1 W, 1 m)
Frequency response 22...40.000 Hz
Crossover frequency 220 / 3.000 Hz
Woofer 2 x 180 mm (7''), Aluminum (Wave surround)
Midrange 1 x 180 mm (7''), Aluminum (Wave surround)
Tweeter 1 x 25 mm (1''), aluminum-manganese
Nominal Impedance 4...8 ohms
Dimensions (WxHxD) 22.5 x 105 x 33.5 cm
(8.9'' x 41.3'' x 13.2'')
Weight 29.6 kg
Special Features DC-technology
Cabinet 21 mm MDF, 2 chamber system in sandwich design
High end cabling with Black Science
Intergrated loudspeaker base with shock absorbers
Gold plated bi-wiring/bi-amping screwclamp terminals

I believe the NAD will more than satisfy my needs for XM/iPOD and Surround sound functions.

My question is.. will it put out enough dynamic power to drive the above speakers when just listening to music (and I don't mean just loud stuff but being able to hear the full range in a nice jazz recording/classical/vocals)?

Thanks for the assistance.

SK

[JerryDelColliano]

My question is.. will it put out enough dynamic power to drive the above speakers when just listening to music (and I don't mean just loud stuff but being able to hear the full range in a nice jazz recording/classical/vocals)?

-------

I think the NAD will do REALLY well with a Canton system.

In terms of power - you will want to get as big an amp as you can afford despite the genre of music you listen to. Just like it is unlikely that you will drive a V12 Mercedes at 155 MPH very often - its the subtle reserve of power that makes the musical difference. Having the power when needed is a big issue. Its how music sounds open, liquid and three dimentional. Also, you don't really need a lot of power other than when the dynamics kick in but its the dymanics that make the music most fun.

j

[BIKER]

Well, yes I think the PRE-AMP would do fine, but I wonder if the T955 amplifier will have enough juice (will it be the Mercedes V12?) to adequately drive the CANTON ref. 7DC speakers?

The alternative I've also been considering is instead spending a little more and purchasing the SUNFIRE TG-P and TGA-5200 combo.. obviously it wouldn't have all of the last HD theatre features but a ton of historical clean power..

What would I be missing w/o the balanced outputs on the NAD vs. those available outputs on the SUNFIRE amp?

Thanks again,

Steven

[JerryDelColliano]

This would be a good new thread in the amp section. Perhaps you will start one?

Sunfire is ALWAYS a good bang for the buck solution. More rock and roll than the NAD. The NAD is more "controlled" by my standards.

Here are two dark horse options:
- Bel Canto
- NuForce

Both are digital amps and are about to get RAVE reviews from us this year.

[BIKER]

What do you mean by digital amp?