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Thread: NAD as Phono and Power AMP for Onkyo

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Brighton, UK

    Posts: 67
    I'm James.

    Default NAD as Phono and Power AMP for Onkyo

    Hi All,

    I have a NAD C350 (in attic) and an Onkyo Z800 (In use) and will soon have a REGA Planar 1 TT(excited)!!

    Originally my plan is to put the TT straight into the Onkyo Phono stage and run it Pure into me DM601 S2s ... I may even venture into Stereo sometimes to make the most of my SUB.


    It's just occurred to me though that my NAD C350 will likely/might be better for music (???)

    Problem is.... to get AV 5.1 I will need to go from Onkyo PRE-OUT to NAD Main (PRE-IN - by removing the bridges). All good and presumably the NAD volume will be disabled?

    But then, I'm guessing the Phono input on the NAD won't work???

    If so, I'll still need to have the TT connected to the Onkyo A/V amp will this remove any perceived benefit of connecting the NAD at all?

    Maybe I can do this.......

    TT to NAD Phono Input
    NAD PRE-OUT to Onkyo Analogue Line level input
    Onkyo Pre-Out to NAD Main(Pre-In)

    End result is Nad stays on Phono volume stays fixed (level TBC)
    Onkyo does 5.1 with Fronts going though NAD as a power amp.
    When Analogue input selected on Onkyo it uses NAD Phono stage and pushes back though NAD power amp in stereo.... but will I be Pre-amping twice once in the NAD Phono stage and once in the Onkyo analogue input??

    Done... or not?

    Thoughts overmuch appreciated...

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2008

    Location: Middlesex, UK

    Posts: 4,481
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    Seems a bit contorted, but if it's what you want, why not. I have used Nad / proton integrateds as pre amps for many different power amps, e.g. Quad 303, 405-2, Radford STA25 III, and it works well.

    NAD 303 by A60man, on Flickr

    QuadNAD by A60man, on Flickr

    NADford STA25 III by A60man, on Flickr
    Spendorman

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Brighton, UK

    Posts: 67
    I'm James.

    Default

    Cheers Spendorman.

    Have now wired NAD up as a power amp and it sounds so much better than the Onkyo on its own!!

    Why didn't I do this years ago!!

    Think I'll leave the Onkyo to complete the Phono stage work unless I get an earth buzz from the Rega...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  4. #4
    Join Date: Feb 2008

    Location: Middlesex, UK

    Posts: 4,481
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    NAD amps are usually pretty good in my experience.
    Spendorman

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