A cracking little pre amp. Probably the best pre amp NAD has ever made. The internal phono pre amp is exceptionally good. So good I stopped using my Simaudio outboard phono pre amp. A nice warm sounding pre amp.

Nothing I can think of especially at this price point. A giant killer. Maybe overall build quality of anything but it still feels nice and solid.

I'm a Toyota/Honda guy. I believe in high functionality, quality, and VALUE. Bought a used NAD 1300 20 years ago. Still use it. NEVER regretted it. Learned back in the 70's and 80's that in high-end audio the emperor is often naked! I've auditioned my share of $50K systems, heard Pavarotti and Domingo live at The Met, and have attended the most sublime private recital by Yo Yo Ma. My ears have been caressed by Steinway and Boesendorfer, Stradivarius and Guaneri up close and personal. As a recording engineer who studied acoustics at NYU, I pity audiophiles who buy systems that cost more than cars. Get a girlfriend! Go to an intimate jazz club or Carnegie Hall. That said, the NAD hides nothing, has great signal controls (I can hear the audiophiles hissing), and is obviously built to last. If you find a working unit, It'll probably cost you $100. Take about $600 - $1200 for the best used B&W's you can find. Slap 'em to a used Hafler with 24 guage electrical chord, pop in a midrange Rega table/cartridge. And for Thor's sake, handle your room acoustics! - 1st and 2nd order reflections and any obnoxious standing waves. Then, believe it or not, ENJOY the f'ckn music! People spend lifetimes of passion, hardship and sweat to become brilliant musicians, don't miss it because your preamp isn't expensive enough.

Features ; Sound for the price

Plastic knobs, no remote control, a few "gadgets"

A lot of features, some very interesting :
- Phono MM and MC, pF selectable
- Tone controls with selectable freq. : you can easily correct the response of other components.
- A lot of inputs, 3 loops
And, despiter all these and a moderate price, the sound is really good ! Not the last word in quietness, but quiet enough. And very, very musical : neutral, soft, detailed, dynamic ! If you can find one used, a bargain.
Was "Class C" in Stereophile. For me, it is between Class B and C for the sound, with a wonderful flexibility.

Similar Products Used:

Quad 33 & 44, Adcom GFP-555-II

clear, detailed, sweet sound.

unable to get manufacturer's instructions, so may not be using to optimum potential.

This is very good sound, if not high end. There are lots of control options, which I have not been able to use fully. But it has functions to really control the sound. Or better the direct signal path [which I mostly use] gives very detailed presentation.
If you are building up from an modest integrated to a split system this is a good way to go. That is what I did.
To better this sound would take MUCH more money.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 971, 1090