|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
67.81.5.3
In Reply to: Cambridge Azur 640 Vs NAD posted by Bold Eagle on December 17, 2004 at 18:59:59:
I've auditioned both of the 640 and C320BEE amps in my home and I thought the Cambridge was much better in almost every respect (clarity, musicality, features, build). I paired them with Athena F1 speakers. Let me know if you need more specifics.
Follow Ups:
Gene,Thanks for the reply. I am wondering about the highs. I borrowed a C350 from my son-in-law, and we noticed (as compared to my Onkyo Integra TX-870 receiver) that his C350 wasn't as natural sounding on the higher notes on piano and some cymbals. The initial transient seemed wrong by comparison. So that's one specific area.
Voices, particularly female, on the Onkyo seemed more natural as well, with less emphasis on sibilents. Area 2!
And finally, the C350 had tighter bass, and I'd like to not lose that if I get the Cambridge, so some specifics there would be helpful as well.
I'll be using the amp with a pair of JBL L-110 control monitors from the late 70's. It's a very smooth 10" three way system with ported bass, a 5" paper cone midrange, and a soft dome tweeter. Not at all the stereotypical JBL sound. Source will be a Rotel RCD-971 CD player. Rather warmer than a typical CD, and with a very smooth top end.
The Onkyo, JBL's, and the Rotel together have an almost ethereal quality in the mids and highs. I'd like a little more involvement than that, but not so much as the C350 gives. REally nice bass end, but a little too forward, and a little too clinical on the top end. I'm looking for a happy medium.
I think you'll be happier with the Cambridge. When listening to piano recordings, the instrument had such great presence in the room. Clear and powerful, the bass was tight and strong (but not overly so).The C320BEE had the "dark" sound that most people notice in NADs, but I was most disappointed in their lack of musicality after reading so many reviews about how that was a major strong point.
Athenas are considered to be on the brighter side, but when paired with the Cambridge, it sounded clear and detailed, not bright at all.
The phenomenon you are reporting is why many people refer to the NAD as having a somewhat 'dark' sound. It's not offensively wrong, it certainly works well on bright sounding speakers, but open and airy it's not. Given the two amps, the 640A does sound like it will be a better fit for you.However, reading what you've said about your tastes and what you hear from your speakers, an even better option might be an Arcam A75 Plus (which is substanatively better than the A75 it replaced) or A80 (which recently replaced the A75+ and sound virtually the same). It has the bottom end slam and control of the NAD, but is less veiled through the midband and highs, sound much like the Azur 640A in that respect. It's a step up from both the 350 and 640A in terms of sound quality and in price. However, I've seen used A75+ in near mint shape go for $400 used - a LOT of quality sound for the dollar.
Just my 2 cents.
Good Luck-
Gary
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: