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Review 1 of 6
Price Paid:
$190.00
from eBay Summary:
I initially bought the preamp to replace the preamp section of a NAD 306 integrated. This turned out to be a mistake. Not that the sound was bad... it was just lacking something. It was so grating to me that I ended up switching back to the preamp section of the NAD 306 and selling the RC 980.
What was the issue with the preamp? Well, the sound stage of the RC 980 seemed totally flat and somehow pinched. I did not once have that sensation of the speakers disappearing and the music flowing from the speakers and just filling the room. Even the NAD 306 preamp section was able to turn this trick with the right recording. I played around with speaker placement but sound stage and imaging did not improve. I could understand this if I were using some non-Rotel power amps but I am bi-amping with two Rotel RB-03's so there should be no questions concerning compatibility.
Also, the bass response of the RC 980 was seriously lacking. This I realized only after acquiring a second hand NAD 316 preamp from an eBay purchase. Where as the bass response of my speakers using the RC980 seemed anemic, they came alive after switching to the NAD 316. The 316 delivers much better low end punch and the sound stage is much wider and deeper with cd's. Noticeably better than the NAD 306 and certainly better than the RC 980. Hey, all three components are mid-fi audio products at best so I am not expecting holographic imaging here but the 316 gave it a good run. The 316 is just (in my opinion of course) the better preamp. Much less fatiguing. With the NAD 316 the speakers once again seem able to perform their disappearing act and the music often seems independent of the speakers.
Most importantly, I am a vinyl nut and the NAD phono amp is far superior to the Rotel's. This was also the case with the NAD 306's phono section and is the initial reason I stopped using the RC 980. The imaging on both NADs seemed almost holographic, at least with the right record.
So while this may seem more a review for the NAD 316 I think the comparison is valid. Both are only available now on the used market. Both are very simple components with high-end aspirations. No tone controls and only a balance control to offset any power-amp channel issues. Yet, in my very humble and completely unprofessional opinion the RC 980 sounded tiring. I can only recommend the NAD 316 because I have listened to it. Hey, even the preamp section of the NAD 306 sounded better to me. The problem is that the listening experience is so subjective. As evidenced by the other reviews the amp has its fans. I guess you take your chances either way. Strengths:
Price on the second market.
Monolithic good looks. Weaknesses:
Lacked bass response compared to my other preamps.
Sound stage imaging and depth was also lacking.
Wacky balance controls. Similar Products Used:
Rotel RA-712
Rotel RA-921
NAD 1240
NAD 3240PE
NAD 306
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