Is my amp good enough?

There are better amps and you are leaving some level of performance untapped, but your current amp will work well with your new loudspeaker.

+  @onhwy61 .

I would listen to the speakers with your current amplification a while to let them settle in and yourself get to know them.Then ask yourself what you wish to improve and search out amplification that will provide desired improvement. 

What are your sources?

I had the NAD 375BEE, and really liked it, but decided to see if I could improve. I introduced a Schiit Freya + preamp and this was a significant improvement. You might start with a preamp, the new Schiit Kara would be a low cost experiment. I also agree that you should use your existing equipment for a while with the new speakers before you make change. 

Thing is I haven’t purchased the speakers yet. Auditioning would be at the store and probably with a much more expensive pre and power amp. I know this store sells NAD products, I guess I could ask if they would have something close to mine to use for the in store audition.

If the speaker alone sounds substantially better than my old Silvers I would still go ahead with the idea of upgrading the pre amp and amp down the road.

So I get the sense that a preamp would be a more logical upgrade (with the new speakers) before the power amp?

I would definitely ask the store to demo the speakers with something similar, even if it is a NAD integrated at around the level of your separates. If you like what you hear, live with that for a bit and if you get the upgrade bug later on, you can see what your budget tolerance is and go from there.

I would keep using the NAD pre and power amp with the new speakers. They are both high quality circuit designs and transparent to the source. Spending lots more will only buy you audio jewelry - not significantly better sound! Upgrading your speakers will give you the best bang-for-the-buck!

Another black and white outlandish statement. Nothing new. Let's hope the OP doesn't ask about cables!

Oh, and for cables…..lol

The title question is; Is my amp good enough?

The op is: neversatisfied

Have you not answered your own question?

So my thinking, and please chime in with your opinions.

I would like to think the speaker upgrade alone would result in sufficient improvements to my sound. I would hope that that will bring me 80% of the way and that a preamp upgrade down the road would be the other 20%. Theoretical numbers of course and not necessarily 80/20 but the speakers being the higher value in the split.

I am not one to buy into the really over the top snake oil stuff. I agree that those hugely expensive items will perhaps get you a percentage point or two, nothing my human ears will notice anyway.

I liked the opinions that my separates would be sufficient, something I was hoping to hear. As long as the speaker upgrade alone brings me a significant (to me) improvement, I would be happy with that for now. And I would think the current Gold 300 must be a noticeable improvement over my 20 year old Silver 8’s.

“The title question is; Is my amp good enough?

The op is: neversatisfied

Have you not answered your own question?”

 

I figured someone would pick up on that.

I’m trying to figure out how to quote and reply in this forum with little luck so far

“

mesch

3,305 posts

11-28-2023 at 08:34am 

+  @onhwy61 .

I would listen to the speakers with your current amplification a while to let them settle in and yourself get to know them.Then ask yourself what you wish to improve and search out amplification that will provide desired improvement. 

What are your sources?

 

Rega RP3, NAD CD player, NAD receiver

get the absolute best transducers you can afford… then worry about electronics…. assuming you can drive them and your NAD is fairly stout. You should broaden your speaker audition horizon…… read less, listen more….

You ask a pretty simple question. The answer is also really simple. Yes, your amp is plenty good to power the speakers you are thinking of buying. Also, yes, you are likely to get a significant increase in sound quality and bring a big smile on your face. 
 

Most of us, early on, got a pretty good sounding system that we enjoyed, and then for the rest of our life would upgrade one component at a time. Typically doing one at a time until reaching “the next level” and stay there enjoying it for a while (for me that is 5 - 7 years… but that varies between people). 
 

So, the next step in your process replacing your speakers makes completely good sense. Then after they are broken in and you completely understand their sound… say 500 or more hours (which can easily be a year) you start considering what would be your next step. The listening to your new speakers will drive the decision on what next. If you feel you want more slam or dynamics, then the amp, if you want more natural sound or detail then maybe the preamp… or DAC. 
 

Anyway, I think you are right on course. 

@ tomic601 +1!

@tomic601 +2

Agree with others to let the speakers (and your ears) settle in and see if the sound is pointing you in another direction and go from there.  I remember your Silver 8s to be pretty solid speakers, so I’d pay close attention when auditioning the Golds to see if they’re offering a really significant performance boost.  BTW, I didn’t see what you’re using for a source?

Rega RP3 and a NAD CD player.

Your amp is good enough to justify making the speaker upgrade.  Then you can decide later where the weakest link is.  

The weakest link will undoubtedly be my bank account.

what do you mean "best"...  all improvements make the final result better.  This hobby will surely slim down your wallet.

Yes. As did the recording studio in my basement and the Gibson guitars, etc. 

Can you just bring your amp to the store. Then you can compare it to the other equipment they have there that is more pricey. Most dealers will allow this.

I’m trying to figure out how to quote and reply in this forum with little luck so far

Copy the quote > Paste the quote > click the " icon prior to the smiley face.

Copy the quote > Paste the quote > click the " icon prior to the smiley face.
 

I see. That’s different . Cheers!

I have a better idea of what I will do going forward now. Thanks to everyone for the advice

Do not forget the importance of speaker placement and room treatment. All the money and components in the world cannot overcome a horrible set up.

Hello Neveratisfied.  I once bought a highly regarded speaker pair and, on first hearing, wondered what al the fuss was about. I was thinking I had been a fool to buy them. They just needed a bit of "break in." After a week or so the were really singing and I was delighted with them. If you are concerned, take your pre amp and power amp with you and your favorite recorded music. Perhaps you will have to schedule a time when the aren't too busy, but they will know you are a serious customer. You might even want to talke your cables with you. Their demo speakers will be "broken in" and a few minutes of listening will tell you what you want to know. It is a bit of bother, but worth it in the end. Enjoy the music!

You have a good plan. Speakers first, but I would definitely ask the dealer to hear them with electronics as close to what you have as is possible. 
good luck!

Yes. They have a NAD C368 Integrated amp on hand. That might be close to mine, a little below in fact. I’ll ask them to use that if at all possible. Hopefully they have a display unit. If not I am sure they will have something in the range of my components. I really don’t want to rip mine out as they are nicely installed as far as all the wiring goes.

This weekend I will go and have a proper listen to them and see where that leads me.

Once again, cheers to you all for the advice. It might be a few weeks but I’ll report back once I’m up and running.

 

You can get a very good amp 300wpc from underwood Wally for $2k delivered

dual meters  it’s also class D with Gan transistors many verygood reviews.

Monitor upgrade looks really nice.  I'd buy them listen at home and return if you don't like them.  If possible, of course ... good luck.

Ooooo....meters......

Your amp will be fine.

While this is a great hobby and these forums can be very helpful,  ultimately you should trust your own ears. They’re better than all the subjective opinions you’ll read. 😊

While this is a great hobby and these forums can be very helpful,  ultimately you should trust your own ears. They’re better than all the subjective opinions you’ll read. 😊
 

This weekend ! 

Agree that you should hear the new speakers with the amp and pre. I had always heard, never experienced myself, that NAD was a very good match with Monitor Audio. I personally owned several NAD amps (pre-class D) and always liked the sound. 

I've done it both ways, successfully. You are in a very good place to make an upgrade to a forever system, one piece at a time.

One piece at a time is the key. I heard speakers that I fell in love with, Magnapan Tympani 1A's. Bought them with the cheapest electronics available. They sounded Great, upgraded electronics to match, bit by bit. Sounded better and better.

Later, I had to recover. Had a decent system, like yours, with NAD electronics. Went to the dealer intending to buy Magnpan Tympani IVa' s, one of M's greatest efforts ever. But an ARC preamp made more difference in my system, so that's what I bought.

Thing is - upgrade one component at a time so that you don't lose half on resale. Buy it once and buy it right. Worked for me. YMMV

Most certainly stay with what you have and enjoy the new speakers. Your pre amp/amp are good. 

Later, when you get the itch, play the upgrade game.

Audition: why not take your pre amp and amp to the dealer and ask him to run the speaker with YOURS? Alternatively (best): ask the dealer to take the speakers to YOUR listening room and audition there. 

Don't forget used. There are some pieces that are indestructible, like Bryston electronics with their 20-year warrantee. Sounds very very good, not quite like the very best, but a pretty good approximation. You can buy a 20-year old design for fairly cheap, 2-3K.

I use old Bryston (9B-SST) with my new Magnapan / Quad ESL home theatre, because I prefer the sound - a little on the mellow side, can listen for hours and hours, and still want more. I use a 4B-SST for the sub in my audio system, 20-year old design, just coming out of warrantee. Best sub you ever heard, keeps up with my ESL's.

Good luck and Enjoy!

your  amp is certainly good enough to drive those speakers...doesn't mean, though, that you might not like a different amp (more or less expensive) more, once you change speakers...there are certainly other amps that will sound different...

try a used hegel... a cut above nad sonically, as an amplifier

h190’s have had a recent price cut... a steal a current used prices for the performance to be had

try a used hegel... a cut above nad sonically, as an amplifier

h190’s have had a recent price cut... a steal a current used prices for the performance to be had
 

I’ve seen this brand mentioned a few times. The few high end stores I frequent don’t seem to carry them. I will look around. But the more I read hear, the more I trust I will be happy with the NAD….for now.

I am pushing Monitor 300's with a 100 watt Benchmark AHB2 just fine. I agree that you should take the time to audition the speakers with the amp you have, before you upgrade.

Room size is very important. Bigger rooms offer more challenges, ceiling height is also really really important. And the color of paint on the walls also impacts your ability to perceive sound. 

Also found the more money you spend the happier you are. It's mostly due to positive reinforcement.

 

Survey says.......Your amp is good enough. Yet, like others say, listen until the new speakers are broken in well.  Then, consider the plethora of better amps out there.  Upgrading is part of our fun is this hobby.

I think the Monitor Audio Gold 300 speakers will allow you to hear the quality of your current NAD amp.  If at a point in the future you find an itch to upgrade the amplifier I believe the speakers will be capable of performing at the level of your amplifier upgrade also.  I would listen and enjoy with your current amp and then see how you feel about taking any additional steps.  

@neversatisfied 

I really don’t want to rip mine out as they are nicely installed as far as all the wiring goes.

 

How about take your existing speakers to A/B with the new speakers (if dealer allows). Use their same electronics to compare. This should tell you if there is enough difference worth it to you.