Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Cambridge Audio vs Nad

I am looking to replace an aging Denon receiver with an integrated amp to power my M3ti's. This is a two-channel audio only system. I have narrowed down the choices (due to cost considerations) to the Cambridge Audio A500 and the Nad C320BEE. I have read both good and fair reviews on the Cambridge A500, and mostly all positive reviews on the NAD. Admittedly, the Cambridge has a better cosmetic look (IMHO). Any experience with either of these with the M3ti's? Thanks.

I have experience with both cambridge and NAD gear, as i own a Nad C370 and Cambridge D300. I dont have experience with those models however. Both NAD and cambridge have good build and quality, but if it were me i would definetly buy the C320BEE over the cabridge because i believe its simply a better amp, and better sounding what what i have read.

Rob, I drive my M60's with a Cambridge Audio A500/P500 bi-amp combo, and have nothing but good things to say...the sound is sweet, with more than enough power. Very good bang for the buck IMO. Haven't heard the M3's nor any NAD gear, so can't make any comparative statements. Good luck.

I'd go with cambridge - I have known NAD products to break easily.

I've never heard antyhing bad about Cambridge products.

break easily?

whats that supposed to mean.

I guess he was talking about the notorious and well-documented history of "reliability problems" on the NAD products. They have supposedly gotten rid of the problems now, by changing/moving their OEM sources a few years ago.

The only reliability issues i know of are those of their cd players. The ones without the i at the end of the model number. when he says "break easily" makes it sound like you go to turn the volume knob and it comes off or, open the cd player and the drawer falls out or something lol.

I use an NAD S200 power amp with a different system than my Axiom '60s, and - knock on wood! - I have never had a problem with it. I'd recommend NAD products, at least those of recent vintage anyway.

Rob,
I have been using a NAD 3140 integrated amp for the past 23 years, pretty much daily or every other day. The only trouble (besides dirty contacts in unused switches) was a hum in the left channel that lasted a few minutes after turn on, which developed a few years ago. It went away some months lager, after I seriously threatened it with looking for a replacement. It sounds great, mostly running under 1 watt on my 27 year old big monitors unless I crank a big symphony. Similar to Sushi's "beloved Hales" I have my "beloved Qysonics." Of course this does not speak to the recent NAD gear but the 320BEE is supposed to take after their old designs.

I have a pair of M3Ti that also sound good on the NAD, but mostly they live in another room and are run by a 50 watt/ch JBL power amp. They are efficient enough that 40 or 50 watts is plenty of oomph. But you may run out of gas on the 320BEE if you want to go really loud. If you can get it from somewhere that will let you return it if not satisfied, or take it for a demo, that would be best.

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It went away some months lager, after I seriously threatened it with looking for a replacement.

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LOL LOL That was funny!