hyperpsyched

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from eBay

Summary:
First, the MSRP listed here is a joke. If you find this unit used for that price then you have made out like a bandit!

This preamp replaces the preamp section on a NAD 306 that itself replaced a RC 980 BX preamp. I can only really compare it to the sound of the preamp section of the NAD 306. The NAD 306 preamp section itself was far better than the RC 980 alone. The 316 is, comparatively speaking, fantastic. Clear wide sound stage and the transparency and depth is the best I have yet heard. I am a vinyl lover so a good phono section is important and the 316 does NOT disappoint. I have found that the phoho section on NAD units has always been a strong point and this is even more true of the 316. Quiet and capable of pulling great detail out of my vinyl. Sounds very natural and open compared to the pinched harshness of the RC 980's phono section. Quite often I find the speakers just disappear into the soundstage, a trick the Rotel could never pull.

I have noticed some tuner and cd bleed through into but ony at volumes that would shred by power amps (bi-amping two Rotel RB-03's) and probaby cause tweeters in my speakers to burst into flames. Not a problem. Though to be honest this is one problem I did not notice with the RC 980. But the Rotel always produced some white noise, even at 0 volume.

There was also a striking difference in bass reponse. Whereas my speakers always seamed anemic in the bass department with the Rotel they came alive with the NAD. This I discovered when spinining Bullet in the Head by Rage Against the Machine. Deep controlled bass. The mid-range is also very nicely articulated. Higher frequencies such as cymbal strikes are never harsh, but then my speakers have never been bright. However they seemed harsher with the Rotel in the chain.

To summarize, I find the NAD 316 much more musical and less fatiguing then the RC 980 BX which the NAD 316 replaced. This is only my highly subjective opinion of course. That said, I recommend the 316 if you can find it.

Strengths:
Sound staging... both width and depth.
Great phono section.

Weaknesses:
Some input cross talk at dangerous, neigh, obscene volume levels.

Similar Products Used:
ROTEL RA 712
ROTEL RC 980BX
ROTEL RA 921
NAD 3249PE
NAD 306

LowHighEnd

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $214.00 from Local ad, private se

Summary:
Bought this preamplifier, after been using my C320 as such, driving one NAD2400. (later on upgraded to two NAD2400, one 2400 bridged amplifier per channel. ) I wasn’t surprised that I would sound better when using a separate preamplifier setup, but this little thinge is SOOOOO good. Clean, sparkling and detailed sound. I can only agree with all the good words in the other reviews. (Slight tuner bleed thru at highest volume, but in my system using the dual NAD 2400 this volume level would be bizarre and Hazardous.) If you spot this amplifier second hand, buy it!! It’s woth every penny!

Strengths:
Clean and detailed. Good frequency responce.

Weaknesses:
Selectable tone controls. I don't want them there but my neighbours would surely love them.

Similar Products Used:
C320(as preamp.), NAD240, NAD 3020.

Price Paid:  $320.00 from Saturday Audio Exchange

Summary:
I can't say enough good things about this preamp. There's no need for tone controls when running this with an amp of reasonable power such as NAD's own 208 or 218THX. Try to find a better value. The price I paid was a steal for a brand new unit. Funny thing is that the model which replaced this gem (Model C 160) hasn't gotten as good of reviews. And they plagued it with pointless tone controls.

Strengths:
Clean sound. No pointless tone controls, penty of gold plated inputs/outputs. Balanced outputs. Precise volume control. Quiteter than a mouse. Simple topology. Revealing. Good quality components on the inside. Dedicated headphone amp. Clean styling.

Weaknesses:
None - the best value I've experienced to date.

Similar Products Used:
NAD 917, Adcom GTP 500II, Adcom GTP 450, NAD 110.

Price Paid:  $499.00 from Spearit Sound

Summary:
I tried a "factory reconditioned" NAD 116. It sounded beautiful through my speakers. There wasn't a trace of audible noise. The phono stage came off as a bit bright to me, but that may be because my prior one wasn't great. Also, I barely broke it in. The separation of the phono stage impressed me.

At maximum volume, there was a touch of tuner bleed-through, but that would never be noticed when actually listening to music. Unfortunately, the right headphone channel had a weak but annoying hum. I unplugged everything but the power cord and headphones, and the hum persisted. I often listen to classical music with headphones, so this was a real disappointment. While I was tempted to open the box up and reroute wires as suggested elsewhere, I didn't for fear of voiding the warranty. So it went back to the good dealer for a refund. Too bad, because aside from the headphone defect it sounded delightful.

Strengths:
Clean and musical sound

Weaknesses:
Headphone hum, no tone controls

Similar Products Used:
Rotel

Price Paid:  $800.00 from Sonoma Sound Masters

Summary:
After having listened to other preamps I have to say I am very impressed with NAD's 116 preamplifier. The sound is very clean and neutral with authority in the bass. This is definitely worth having regardless of price. Sure it lacks tone controls, but I think it's a small price to pay for the sound quality this preamp delivers. The only flaw I found was the remote did not always work well, but remotes are just a convenience anyway. Other than that, it's a winner.

Strengths:
VERY neutral sound and quiet phono section, balanced XLR outputs for professional applications

Weaknesses:
questionable IR remote control