NAD 7400 Receivers

NAD 7400 Receivers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-8 of 8  
[Oct 04, 2007]
in2kma
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

The strength.

Weakness:

If it's a weakness or just age, but the bass/treble controls ar scratching a little. Sometimes it refuses to be powered on and has to be disconnected from the AC outlet. Sometimes it looses one channel - and has to be turned off/on. I can live with those weaknesses, easily.

Well, can I add something not already said here? To begin with, I previously owned a big fat Onkyo Integrated thing that i believed made my Dali 800 speakers sound fantastic. The I carried the 7400 home hooked it up, and then shipped the Onkyo away. The improvement was fantastic. The I realized that the 2400 Amp had the same stuff inside as the 7400, so I hunted one down, carried it home and hooked it up using the 7400 as a preamp. My Dali's just gets better and better! Then I managed to get hold of users manuals to both units and all of a sudden I had bridged them both into 2 X 200 W Mono amps. The Dali's got a bit better again. So now I'm happy, but worried that I will have to replace it all with some non exiting AVR thing to connect with my TV/DVD and such.
NAD is great stuff! And I don't need any better stuff really - and that is fortunata, because I wouldn't have the money to buy that stuff :-)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 03, 2002]
Pinkpank
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Dynamic range, design, feel, every feature is 100% useful

Weakness:

Big, expensive, some solder and relay problems after 10+ years.

What can I say . . . my first $1000 earned in grad school went to a new receiver, since my Project One amp bit the dust. I compared a dozen+ amps, and after ditching Technics, Sansui and Onkyo amps I finally decided the NAD 7400 and the Carver amps met my needs. The 7400 took the cake thanks to the design. I got $100 off list (woo-hoo!) for taking a demo unit without box or manuals. I have never regretted it. I had a relay go bad (fixed myself), and the past two years I used a Sony 310 (?) to fill in while trying to figure out why the laft channel in the 7400 was dead. Finally took it in and had cold solder joints fixed, so I''m happy as a clam to have the 7400 back. I didn''t realize (or had forgotten) how dynamic the 7400 is compared to lesser amps. Plus, the look and feel is first rate compared to frilly, low-end "consumer" electronics. I love the pseudo-parametric bass/treble controls, as they allow me to make up for the slight bass hump at 120Hz in my listening room, and the "Bass EQ" low-range boost makes my KEF C35 bookshelf speakers sound much larger than they are. Plus, the "bypass" button is a great quick "defeat" for the slight adjustments I make, and allows instant A/B comparisons. The tuner and phone sections are also great, which makes it a joy to listen to urban stations that other tuners "fuzz", and records have a dynamic quality that the "cheap" amps could not touch. Not that I play many records any more . . . Another plus that''s less of an audiophile quality is that the remote sensor is super-sensitive, all universal remotes I try will work without even pointin at the receiver or being line-of sight. Do watch out, though, most universal remotes (even ones claiming NAD receiver compatibility) will NOT switch the 7400 back to "Tuner" mode after selecting another main (non-tape loop) source!!! Overall, the most expensive and still best audio product I have ever bought!

Similar Products Used:

Sony 310, various Technics, Sansui, Onkyo receivers

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 26, 2000]
Terry Clark
Audiophile

Strength:


Solid design and power output. Unique controls that are useful.

Weakness:

Don't know of any.

This beefy (26 lb.) little receiver supersedes a 30 year string of good or great amplification machines from separates to 5.1-channel receivers. I purchased it from its original owner who bought it in 1990. At $300, it was the same price as my Sony surround receiver that now powers the bedroom system. There is a discernable difference in sound quality between them, in favor of the NAD 7000. I power JBL L-166 Horizon speakers with it, and the synergy is outstanding. Detail, but not hardness. Smoothness with extreme clarity. That extends to the non-digital sources well also--tuner and phono. The tuner is particularly good. Now that one never hears anything but CD sound from FM, this tuner mirrors that cleanness perfectly.

The functionality of the receiver is also above the fray. It has the usual NAD preamp out/main amp ins; banana plug speaker terminals; and soft clipping circuitry. Features not expected include three bass-region controls: subsonic filter, bass EQ (non-variable) with its own subsonic filter, and loudness (variable with gain) contour; FM section with both MONO and BLEND switching to receive very weak stations more cleanly; tape in/outs for 2 decks with dubbing in either direction (perfect for my minidisc recorder plus cassette deck); phono gain switching to accomodate moving-coil cartridges like my Ortofon; a muting circuit that engages automatically after power-up and is recommended DURING certain listening situations like high gain sources at low listening levels; and a nice ergonomic remote control that is easy to use in low light.

The power seems plentiful so far, but I have easy speakers to drive. Rated at 40 watts on sustained organ pedal (what else?), or RMS, it is apparently capable of around 100 clean watts per channel on normal musical signal with its peaks and valleys. And I doubt the average 100 watt receiver would sound as good at full power due to the NAD's transparency and the Soft Clipping circuit. Those are all at 8 ohms--4 ohm speakers should play a little louder at full power. The impedance is switchable on the rear panel, by the way. Is there anything NAD forgot?

If you acquire one of the various NAD receivers, try to get the owner's manual with it. Their common sense and thoroughness about use of the machine is hard to find.

I also have an NAD 7225PE receiver, and it's a simpler form of goodness. Also very gutsy for 25 watts.

Hey, have fun with your audio! Keep it simple.

Similar Products Used:

Receivers by Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, amps from McIntosh, Proton, Adcom.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 20, 2000]
Jim Stoddard
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Lots of clean power, reliability

Weakness:

None

Like the previous reviewer stated, this Receiver is very reliable. I've used it nearly every day for almost 9 years and It still performs perfectly.

It drives my PSB New Stratus Speakers effortlessly and smoothly. I can listen for extended periods with tiring or suffering from "Ear Fatigue". As to how the Receiver "sounds", well, the fact is I can't hear it; The only thing I hear is the music.

For "normal" listening, I keep the volume knob at the 9:00 position. I've had occasion, though, to push it beyond the 3:00 position and it never distorted or clipped. The volume knob starts at the 6:00 position and goes clock-wise. One third of the power is contained within the first half of the volume knob; The other half contains the other Two Thirds.

With regret, I will be replacing the NAD 7400 with a Yamaha RX-V596. I watch a lot of DVD movies now and wanted to experience "Dolby Digital" sound. I choose the Yamaha because it seems like the best locally available HT Receiver that fits my limited price range ($699.00 Cdn). Who knows, though, maybe I will still use the NAD to drive my Main Speakers.

Anyway, I posted this review to pay tribute to a great friend.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 22, 2001]
Tomislav Marinoviæ
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

The sound is more than crystal, if you use good speakers, bass is just how it should be like i can say for treble.It's a very strong, and powerfull, can pump the speakers for hours without sideefects!

Weakness:

It's overheating a lot. I needed to install some heatsinks on it's passive coolers to prevent any damage.Also it's relays aren't good enough, so you need to litsen to "click" when you turn it on.

Yes, it's expensive, but i can't see anyone who would regret for spending money on such peace of hardwear, esspecially when you know how good it is !

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 18, 1998]
IBA
an Audiophile

I have the NAD Monitor 7000 receiver for eight years now and it functioning as
new. It runs several hours every day and I did never had any problems or
repairs. When I bought it I did not think that I will hold it for such a long
time. It is the center of my elaborate stereo system. My other gear is Marantz
CD63SE CDplayer, Thorens TD160 turntable with Stanton C-S100 cartridge and
NAD 6325 Cassette Deck. From the Pre out of the NAD receiver I split the
signal, one line beck to the power section of the receiver connected to Mission
780 speakers in a small room, and another line to a NAD 214 power amplifier
connected to Sonus Faber Concertino speakers in another big room.
The NAD receiver - Mission speakers combination in the small room is
excellent. The receiver has more than enough power to drive the 780 comfortably
and the results is very warm non fatigue sound. Piano, vocals and jazz are
marvelous. Cello sound is very warm, string quartets are good up to some level,
Big orchestras are fine especially when you consider the size of the Mission 780.

The NAD receiver has very good phono stage, and excellent FM radio,
sometimes I can't tell if the origin is FM station or Cd player.
I was thinking several times about upgrading the receiver may be to some
Hi-End separates but any other combination of Hi-End with FM tuner, Phono
input, Pre out, and remote control should cost a fortune, and according to my
experience I am not sure that the end line will be the sound I like.
I wonder if anybody is doing nowadays a stereo receiver like that. It is actually
following the legendary 3020 amplifier I understand that NAD has a new "C"
series including a new and modern stereo receiver C740 but it will have to
prove itself.
5 stars for a splendid old days classic stereo receiver.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Aug 30, 1998]
vincent chen
an Audiophile

This reciever was made before NAD went "big corporation think". When they were designed in England,and they really gave a darn about the sound. Remember the 3020 integrated. Also the cheap but good sound 5000 series and the 502.Forget the 5100,5300 cd boxes though. This receiver has an excellent sensitive tuner section,great phono pre-amp,2 tape loops with bi-directional copy. A tuner "knob",not buttons for "dx-ing" your fav FM stations. AM being what it is,no comment. You rack mount this rig,along with its companion amp the 2400. Yes bridge the 7400 to mono,and the 2400 to mono,and you can boogie loud and clear.I love its sound,build quality,etc. Never gave me problems,or quirks. A fine rig.
Too bad NAD
went to bed with "Onkyo".No independant design,or that "I'm different" company that made NAD a great company. It may be cheaper,but you lose what made you special in the first place. Looks like Adcom my be the last great independent builders of great rigs I may afford to buy today. I hate Japanese committee think designs. With few exceptions,the music gets axed out for a price point. Business is business,and music is music. Steer clear of the audio "dreck" out there. You'll be glad you did. Happy listening to all.

Buy old NAD,and smile. :)

p.s. the old "monitor series",3020 gear was just real special.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jan 04, 2001]
Mike Little
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound, excellent tuner, solid build quality

Weakness:

None to speak of

I bought this receiver about three years ago. It has performed flawlessly. I have used it as the centerpiece of a stereo music only system to great effect. The sound quality of the amps is superb for a receiver (or a mid-fi integrated amp). I am currently using it as a tuner/phono preamp/second zone amp for an A/V system. It has performed quite well in these roles. The FM tuner section is superior to most separates out there with the exception of the extreme highend. The FM separation could be better and the soundstage is not that deep. However this could be more of a function of poor signal quality with most of the stations around here. The phone preamp is versatile and clean sounding. Highly recommended for good quality sound at a great price if you can find one in good condition.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 7250

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-8 of 8  

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