Saturday Audio is selling a new NAD C352 for $429.00. I currently have the C325BEE. Is the C352 a step up from the 325? I know it is an older model but it has received good reviews. I would like to step up from the 325 sometime I just have not figured out which way to go. I don't have an opportunity to hear any of the brands I am interested in (NAD, Creek, Rega) as no one sells them in my area that I know of
I would like to have little more power to drive my Wharfedale Evo2 20's and of course get closer to the music.
The 352 has the same family sound as the 325 with a little more power. For a real move up I would wait and move away from NAD. Good sounding gear but to get closer to the music you will probably have to move away from NAD.
The Brio 3 is the most lively of the ones you mentioned but I really would wait to move on until you can make a substantial leap. The new Exposure amps really are a good leap forward and a big improvement over their last generation. The 2010S2 and 3010S2 are very nice. Also the Naim Nait 5i is a good jump forward. There are also reasonably priced tube amps from the likes of Jolida that represent good value.