Untouchable sound from an amp in it's class
Written: Nov 25 '01 (Updated Jan 13 '02)
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Pros: Built to last, fab sound, unpretentious looks, 'What Hi-Fi' 5 Gold Star winner
Cons: Naff remote
The Bottom Line: Think you can buy a better sounding amp for the money? Book yourself a mental health assessment then. Shame about the remote though
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| g23t54s's Full Review: NAD C340 Amplifier |
Being a student means I was on a limited budget when buying my stereo equipment this year. However, as the NAD proves, you can buy a great (note: not just good) piece of kit for not a huge amount. My friends can't criticise anything other than the looks, which I happen to like anyway.
Now some people may sniff and turn their noses up at the modest 50 watt per channel output rating, but I can testify, as can those who live around me that it sounds louder than that. If you have some big speakers and are worried it won't drive them adequately, but can't afford the NAD C370, fear not! This amp didn't win the What Hi-Fi Supertest for nothing, you know! And whereas I noted that one reviewer never turns his volume up past a quarter of the way, mine is rarely less than that - whilst this amp will please at any volume, my philosophy is that you shouldn't just hear the music, you should feel it too...
But it's not just sheer power that sells this amp. Far from it, infact. It has the ability to send shivers down your spine when set up well. The sound is expressive but never over the top, and it's bass abilites astound. Previously I listened to music using my dad's Sony. When I first started using the NAD I was amazed at the texture bass frequencies can have: it's far from just clout and thud, which I was used to with the Sony (although if the music asks for thump it will deliver without hesitation!). I tend to ignore the tone defeat switch, as I add a little bass to help my bookshelf speakers. And again, unlike the Sony I was used to the bass control does only affect the bass frequencies, and does not alter the midband.
This amp can trounce all others in it's class, as testing showed me. It really can thrill when faced with classical pieces, and it can also seriously party when fed something more pop-like. People have also said that it reveals bad equipment, but in my experience it is very forgiving!
My only gripe with the NAD is it's remote which I find fussy about operating: it must be pointed directly at the amp, and it's a funny shape too. But I do like it's dinky rubber feet, which I haven't seen before on a remote. However, I have managed to snap these rubber blobs off now, so they're not wonderfully durable.
I have never regretted buying this amp, not once in the four months I've had it. And, at the price I paid (£225 GBP) I really think it cannot be bettered, not now, and not for a fair few years. Which is fine by me, as this amp looks and feels like it will last forever...which again is great, because when I finally upgrade and get a power amp, this beast has outputs which mean it can act as the pre-amp only: another added bonus...do you really need anymore reasons to buy it?
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 340
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Epinions.com ID:
g23t54s
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Location: Manchester, UK
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Poor underfunded student currently at the Uni of Manchester, UK who likes his 'stuff'.
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