NAD C320BEE or NAD C370
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New member Username: QuadstarPost Number: 7 Registered: Jul-04 | Hi, I am wondering if it's worth it to choose the C370 over the 320BEE. Will I get huge improvement in sound quality in C370 or very subtle details that only audiophiles would appreciate? I do not listen to very loud music and I am not sure if I can make use of the extra power of the C370 - the speaker I am using right now is the Dyna 42. I am looking for quality differences, not volume and I'm willing to stress my budget to buy the latter one only if it's worth it. My NAD dealer does not have the C370 on display. I cant hear both in a side by side comparison. Please advise |
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Silver Member Username: DanmanQUEBEC CANADA Post Number: 141 Registered: Apr-04 | I am surprised you can still get a 370 at a dealer unless it is used! Go for that or the 372 instead. I sold my 320BEE to buy my 372 that has now gone to another lucky owner in favour of 2 272's. The 320 is a great amp but you can't beat power and refinement at the price of a 372 unless you pay a lot more no matter what any salesman says. Always be careful not to get involved in the "more expensive is better" plot! Trust your ears above all. |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 706 Registered: Feb-05 | I agree with Danman. The 320BEE is a great amp but isn't quite as refined as the (370) 372. The 372 has the headroom to handle most anything you throw at it with aplomb. |
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New member Username: NsanghaniPost Number: 6 Registered: May-05 | How about NAD C352 instead of the C372 and C320BEE? If I am considerign on of the following speakers do I really need to spend for the power provided by NAD C372? Speakers: 1. Monitor Audio S6 or S8 2. Paradigm Studio 20 or 40 3. Energy C7, C9 or veritas series (if affordable) One more question: Do you recommend any other speakers in this range? Thanks in advance |
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Silver Member Username: DanmanQUEBEC CANADA Post Number: 143 Registered: Apr-04 | Never tried it but I think it is the same as the 372 with less power |
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New member Username: QuadstarPost Number: 8 Registered: Jul-04 | how about dynaudio? |
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Silver Member Username: Sun_kingLeeds, West Yorkshire UK Post Number: 246 Registered: Mar-04 | The C370 thrashes the C320BEE. If you can get hold of one new still, take it. Ignore all this nonsense about power equating to volume, both amps will go loud as hell but the C370 will have more grunt at low volumes - that's power for you! If you want better bass and an all 'round better sound, get the bigger amp. |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 774 Registered: Feb-05 | Well SunKing you weren't exactly subtle but I agree with you. People often equate power with just increased volume and it smore complex than that. When I bought my Hafler 9505 (250 watts per) I new that it would be louder than my old Rotel RB981 (130 watts per) but what surprised me was how much better it sounded at lower volumes. Dynaudio makes wonderful sounding speakers BTW. |
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Silver Member Username: Sun_kingLeeds, West Yorkshire UK Post Number: 247 Registered: Mar-04 | Hi Art, Yes, it was a late night posting (GMT) and upon reading again it does seem lacking in the subtlety department! |
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New member Username: QuadstarPost Number: 9 Registered: Jul-04 | Hi, thanks for the advice... I bought a used NAD C370 and it's a great deal, which is only a bit pricier than a new C320BEE. As I have accustomed to my friend's 320BEE, I found out the NAD C370 offers noticeably much better overall sound. However, I found out the 320BEE has plenty of bass, even though not as controlled and tight compared to its bigger brother, listening to it in low volume left the impression that the 370 has shy bass. I do not know how to describe it well but it just has less bass and not as warm - I would say it sounds thin? (this may not be the correct word to use by the way). Or I need some time to adjust myself to the quality sound? At moderate volume, everything is excellent with the exception of the slightly shy bass but this is acceptable. Anyone? |
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Silver Member Username: DanmanQUEBEC CANADA Post Number: 150 Registered: Apr-04 | I owned a 320BEE and had the 372 until recently and I am amazed to hear that the bass is thin! I noticed a big improvement with the 372 right away campared to both. I never owned a 370 however but I really have a difficult time understanding your theory. |
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Silver Member Username: Sun_kingLeeds, West Yorkshire UK Post Number: 248 Registered: Mar-04 | The C320BEE has overpronounced upper mid bass which contributes to the feeling of "more" bass. The C320BEE is a budget amp and is thus intended to be paired with budget speakers etc. Most small speakers don't give much bass so the BEE compensates a little for this but not too much, it's still a thin sounding amp in my opinion. The C370 has much tighter, deeper bass and a midrange to die for. You mention that your friend's C320BEE seems to have better bass than your C370. Have you tried both amps with the same set of speakers? I'd be amazed if you still decide that the C320BEE sounds fuller than the C370! |
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Bronze Member Username: SkarebPost Number: 16 Registered: Jun-05 | Edward I'm with you I tried both amp 320bee n 352 side by side and i do find the 320 offer more bass at low volumn, more musical whereelse the 352 sounded too transperant, I'm not sure how both compare with the volumn upped. But my maximum listening volumn are normally at around 8.30 sometimes but very rare I'll put it to 9ocolock. So I audition amp and speakers at these volumn so I ended up taking the 320BEE. Tho now I'm thinking how would the 352 sounded if I've bought it. |
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Starbucks Unregistered guest | Hi Friends, U all may surprised that i still managed to find brand new NAD C370. Yup, new and still sealed tight in the box. Yup, I agreed that we need a high power amp to drive the speakers, lead the speakers to perform better. Will not have the feeling of underpower, just like driving a car. hehe  |
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Silver Member Username: Sun_kingLeeds, West Yorkshire UK Post Number: 267 Registered: Mar-04 | Great amp mate, you'd be very hard pressed to find a better one for anywhere near the same money. |
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Bronze Member Username: Eieiei0101xPost Number: 13 Registered: Jul-05 | For NAD fans and experts. I just bought a new L40 integrated reciver with CD player, 30 watts per channel. It is for my office to be listened at low volume with jazz or new age. How does it compare vs the C320BEE? What speaker would u use, B&W 601S3, Kef Q15 or Totem Dreamchatcher?? Notice Totems are 4 Ohms Thanks Eduardo |
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Unregistered guest | Hello Starbucks, where did you find your C370 system?, i want one of these too, please let me know if you get it from the internet. Regards. Nicolas |
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Unregistered guest | Where i can find a C372 for a good price? |
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robotfish Unregistered guest | Whats wrong with ebay? I just got a used C370 in excellent condition for £200 and a pair of still-in-box Wharfedale Pacific Evo 40 speakers for £250. Seriously good value. |
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robotfish Unregistered guest | Whats wrong with ebay? I just got a used C370 in excellent condition for £200 and a pair of still-in-box Wharfedale Pacific Evo 40 speakers for £250. Seriously good value. |
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2n3055 Unregistered guest | I have had my nad c370 for 3 years paired with B & W 602's and I am delighted with the abundant effortless bass, especialy at low volumes. I found that speaker positioning was quite critical though, lots of trial and error. |
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Silver Member Username: DanmanQUEBEC CANADA Post Number: 609 Registered: Apr-04 | I have to agree. NAD's 2 channel equipment is quite hard to beat! |
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nout Unregistered guest | I have to agree. NAD's 2 channel equipment is quite hard to beat! Well according to Jan Vigne it takes only $25! https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/193312.html |
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Silver Member Username: Stu_pittNew York City, New York Post Number: 887 Registered: May-05 | Has anyone used the 320BEE as a pre-amp? I'm considering an upgrade and one possibility was using my 320BEE as a pre-amp for a 272 power amp. Any insight would be appreciated. |
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Silver Member Username: DanmanQUEBEC CANADA Post Number: 615 Registered: Apr-04 | Stu, before buying the C162 and a second C272, I used my C372 as a pre-amp and it worked very well. The C162 improves the sound a little but not as dramatic as some would lead you to believe. It is more of a matter of convinience and having a phono imput than anything else. |
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Silver Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 892 Registered: May-05 | Thanks Danman. I think that all of the NAD integrateds use the same pre-amp section. I've got a PP2 for my Pro-Ject 1Xpression. |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2707 Registered: Feb-05 | Don't knock that T-amp Nout. If Jan say it sounds good I'll bet money to marbles it does. Is this the old Nout. How's it goin? |
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nout Unregistered guest | Hi Art, yes the old Nout is doing just fine and I wasn't making fun of Jan's experience with the T-amp, if Jan thinks highly of the T-amp than it must be something very special indeed. I was just excited, because I started a thread about the T-amp a year ago ("Anyone heard of this little wonder?"), asking if the T-amp would be really that good and apparently it is and it is nice to hear good things about something out of the ordinary, something different than the obvious NAD. |
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