Superlative sound; excellent build quality; highly musical reproduction of CDs, tapes and DVDs. This amp does justice to all kinds of music. DVD movie soundtracks and TV broadcasts benefit from the clarity, definition and dynamic range of the NAD 317.

None whatsoever. Reviewers who complain must have damaged units.

The NAD 317 is a spartan integrated amplifier of excellent build with just enough inputs and outputs to satisfy all but the most demanding users. An advantage of its design is the rear preamp outputs and main amp inputs which allow the sound hobbyist to patch in an external processor or equalizer. The appearance of the unit is one of elegant simplicity. Its performance is on par with amplifiers that cost many times its price. As heard with an NAD T550 DVD/CD player as the source and a pair of Paradigm Monitor 7 speakers as the reproducers, the sound of the NAD 317 is sweet, smooth, detailed, with very wide dynamics and exceptionally clear reproduction of voices. A solo instrument like the piano, or a full symphony orchestra, comes accross with great lateral impact, superb transient attack, warm ambience and extended decay. When listening to classical music one has the definite feeling of being transported to the sound venue of a concert hall. The 317 does justice to all kinds of music. The Platters in Mercury's digitally remastered Milleniunm Collection CD sound as though they are performing live in front of you. One forgets that he is listening to a recording. If pop music sounds wonderful, the reproduction of operatic, symphonic, chamber and jazz works is nothing less than sublime. Not just the tone but the inner timbre of every instrument can be heard and savored. The soundstage has impressive depth, height and width, with excellent imaging and details. The voices of individual male and female soloists, as well as those of large choral ensembles, are reproduced with astonishing clarity but without any hint of exaggerated sibilants. One can hear the unique colors, subtle qualities and nuances of each vocalist's production. Such recordings as Handel's "Acis and Galatea" (Christie, Erato label) and Handel's "Messiah" (Pinnock, Archiv label) are just heavenly! The Hallelujah Chorus is breathtaking both for the clarity and grandeur of the voices. An opera of massive forces, like Verdi's "Aida" (Solti, London label), comes through with both tremendous impact and refinement. Thus, the loud trumpets in the Grand March have plenty of bite but, for the first time in the many years I've been listening to this early 60s recording, do not sound overly bright and ragged. Leontynne Price who was famous in the title role sounds as she did in the theater - glorious! In the fifteen months since I have been listening to music through this amplifier I have not heard any unmusical or otherwise undesirable sounds. There is a very slight low frequency hum in the left channel, which NAD explains is part of the toroidal design, but it can be heard only if one holds his ear up to the speaker grill. The nearly inaudible hum disappears completely once music begins to play. At its list price of $800 this amp is one of the great bargains of the audio world. At the $375 web price tag from a fine retail store I got away with highway robbery.

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Acoustic Research, Harman Kardon, Kenwood, JVC, Onkyo, Denon.

Good control and very much power in bridgemode(2*240 W). Very good sound too ..

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An excellent integrated amplifier. Have mine connected to NHT SuperTwos and Audioquest Type 4 cables. CD player is Adcom GCD700. This amp upholds NAD's tradition of being a no nonsense true deliverer. I did several auditions before buying. Comparisons were made with Adcom, Arcam, Marantz, and Creek. The 317 has the best sound in my opinion.

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MF A200

Today I added up the retail cost of my audio and video investment that I have made during the pass 20 months. I was shocked that I have accumulated nearly $22,000 worth of stuff. What is really disheartening is that the stuff that I spent the most on will or have depreciated the most. For instance my Sony Wega 36” television with the matching stand retails for $2,000. With almost certain growth of digital television, my Wega has a very limited product life cycle and certain deep depreciation prospects.

The NAD 317 Integrated Amplifier is one of those products that does its job very well. The sound is great. At 80 wpc, this unit has all the power that I will ever need. I am using it in my office to power a pair of Energy speakers that happen to be very efficient. I kind of wish they were more power demanding so that I could really see what this amp could do. You should be able to find this piece for about $550. It is designed in England but manufactured in China. It has plenty of inputs and is very flexible. Because I am only using a CD player in conjunction with this unit, I would have been better off to have gotten a good, used 2-channel amp and fed the CD player directly to it. I properly would have saved $100 or more. Another very good alternative is one of Musical Fidelity’s integrated amplifiers. Stereophile has tagged the A300 version ($1,500) one of the greatest bargains of all time. I would have probably purchased it if I thought I would spend more time listening to it. However, the NAD unit has some features than the A300 does not have like tone and balance controls. However, two channel stereo has a cloudy future at best and the NAD 317 is a very reasonable way to enjoy it now.

Sensible Sound’s review of the NAD 317 was extremely favorable. Likewise HiFi Choice gave it a buy recommendation. To get a noticeable improvement in performance, you will have to spend twice as much (Musical Fidelity A300 or Arcam Alpha 10).

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it hums

If your a rocker or rapper,no problem at all.Only if your a classical buff,the hum in the left channel may drive you nuts.[We run efficient speakers and head phones].We had NAD send us a 'so called' repaired one that hummed on both channels.THEY CANT FIX IT.We upgraded to Acurus and we are all set now.Not to knock NAD altogether, we have a NAD CD player {the 5000} thats just wonderful,and I know they can make high quality gear.But if you look close at this one, you can see that they hacked a pre-amp into the existing 214 amp,too close to the toroidal transformer..Bad Boys,so less stars...

Price

None Noted

This is my first review, so please excuse me if I am not familar with all the audio terms. I wanted to write this because of the positive experience I have had to date with the 317. In the past I have had tube and SS seperates, this is my first integrated. What a great product, very musical and plenty of power. Works great with my PSB Stratus Bronze speakers. Build quality and looks are five stars. I like the spartan approach that NAD has, more concern about quality/music than looks and features. Would highly recommend anyone looking for an integrated to consider this one. Call Ray (extension 709) at Soundcity for a great deal...I paid $600 new.

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Power, smoothness,and no gimmicks!!

No major for the price..

I just picked up this integrated by mail from the "Sound Seller" in Wisconsin.
It sounds awesome especially with my Rotel RCD-971 Cd player. I especially
am impressed with the bass reponse and smooth mids. The highs seem
a bit rolled off.It seems to get better as time goes by and I don't
think you can beat it for the price.

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Rotel, Denon.

First unit developed hum in the left channel. Second Unit occasionally hums from within the amplifier.

I like the amplifier. It has plenty of power and is easily upgradable for larger systems. However, the first unit produced a hum in the left channel. I returned this unit and got a new one. Now, when I first turn it on, usually in the morning, an audible hum comes from within the amplifier. It isn't loud enough to justify bringing it back again but it is worth mention.

price,power envelope, easy function

None so far.

Recently purchased this beauty from Audiolab in Pa.
and what an improvement over my previous Denon system.
I was looking to upgrade my complete system while maintaining a reasonable budget and I could not be more satisfied.
I compared some newer Denon and Arcam equipment but nothing came close to this performance for the money.
Even at lower volumes, the sound is impressive.
Super tight volume control and simplicity is a plus. Playing at a neutral setting, tight bass with mild mids and highs is just great to hear.
Combined with a NAD c 540 compact disc player, Boston Acoustic VR 960 towers and Transparent Wave 200 cable.
I strongly recommend this unit for the mid-range budget enthusiast!!!

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adcom,arcam,denon

Great sounding and loud amplifier for the money. Easy to set up and use.

Silly, but I wish it was a little more to look at.

This is a great amp for the money. I got mine off ebay for only $400 and I can't imagine money more well spent. The first night I got it a friend came over and we listened to all sorts of music at loud levels and the amp did its job perfectly.

I didn't keep it long because I found a great deal shortly after the purchase for my dream amp, an Integrated Mark Levinson no383. I honestly could not tell any substantial increase in sound quality over the much less expensive NAD 317. The Levinson is a beauty to look at, feel and use but sound quality was very similar as were sound levels.

I listened to it with an Ah! Tjoeb 99 CD player and PSB Stratus Goldi speakers. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the sound or use of this NAD integrated amplifier. I like to look at my equipment too and I only wish the NAD equipment was a little more visually exciting but that is a completly silly gripe for stereo equipment to a logical listener.

If you want a great, no-nonsense amplifier be sure to give the NAD amps a good look.

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Mark Levinson no383

reliability, no soundstage, harsh upper-mids and total lack of liquidity.

This integrated amplifier is just one step above mass market Japan crap like Harmon kardon, Sony, and Yamaha. The build quality is of a definate mass market stamp. Owned this unit for approximately 2 years and it was plagued by left channel crackling before that channel totally died. Returned it to the shop 3 times before they could rectify the problem (thank goodness it was under warranty!) The overall sonic picture is typical solid state and lacks any semblance of soundstage, air or liquidity. Bass is tight and tuneful though. Go with Creek or Musical Fidelity at this price point for better value per $. Better yet - save up for seperates!
System setup:
Magnepan 1.5 QR
CAL ICON Mk II - non Powerboss
Linn speakerwire
Atlantis Wireworld interconnects

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musical fidelity, harmon kardon, long line of Sony, Kenwood, Yamaha equipment, Creek