I owned the 3.3's long ago. Very nice speaker for the money.
I was using an Adcom GFA 555 and PS Audio 4.6.
I think going the McCormack route would be a great way to power them.
The best part is that they can be upgraded by SMcAudio. In fact, if you buy a non working unit, Steve can upgrade it, because he installs a new board. He can also work within your budget.
What preamp are you using?
Bob |
Very good speaker, owned them years ago, and for a short while again a few years back.
They like a bit of juice IMO, but I would get something warmer sounding. I powered them with a older, but very nice harman kardon signature 1.5.
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I had some 3.3's for about a year .My take was a great design ruined by inferior drivers .
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For now I have 2 pre-amps in house. A sound craftsmen from the 90's that sounds clean and an old Hafler DH100.
Looking into a Cary Tube Pre at the moment.
@dep14 what do you suggest for warmer?
Thanks!
db |
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Even that old Adcom can be had for a song. I just recently sold mine, and it still worked like a charm.
The Hafler and McCormack seems like it would be a good pairing. At least, to me.
B |
Had the NHT SB 3s and used them with a Prima Luna PL2 integrated. Depending on the source, like a movie DVD, the PL2 would run out of gas. The NHT 3.3 is the much bigger brother. I have been using the Class D SCA 250 amp ($500) for the past year. Plenty of power. Very musical. https://classdaudio.com/cda-250c-class-d-audio-power-amplifier.htmlNo desire to get into the Class D debate. Rich |
I've had great luck running Threshold amps. Presently using a 550/E. Wonderful amp
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Used to work at a store part time that sold the NHT 3.3 and we used the McCormack DNA 1 and Aragon 4004 and 8008 on those speakers. The McCormack was definitely the better of the two, but the Aragon’s definitely gripped the bass on those speakers but the McCormack a more refined amp. Usually it was a DNA 1 Deluxe. If you’re not going to send a McCormack into SmC for the full monty upgrades which will cost you, expand your budget a little and look for a ARC 100.2. The 100.2 is a great amp that I think will be a nice match for your 3.3’s as I recalled can sound a little hot on the top so I’d avoid a sterile/cold sounding amp.
Definately moving out of your budget more, but the Parasound A21 would be a nice amp as well.
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Love my Thresholds running my NHT 3.3's, as well.
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Thanks everyone!
Grabbing a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe. I will check back in when its all settled.
db |
Grab a nice power cord and if don’t have and can, run a dedicated circuit to your equipment with a decent hospital grade receptacle to start with. If you can’t run a dedicated circuit at least use a decent receptacle; you don’t have to break the bank but get something better than a spec grade if that’s what you are using currently. |
@photodusty ,
Good move. And +1 for a good power cord.
Steve also likes adding HiFi Tuning Fuses to the amp. I think there are 3 or 4 in there.
B |
When I had my 3.3s, I vertically biamped them, passively, with a pair of Hafler 9505s that were modified by Musical Concepts. Significantly more energy, detail and dynamics than a single amp. The 3.3s benefit from biamping…...Enjoy ! MrD. |
Thanks everyone. I have all Cardas Wire. (IC's, Power and speaker).
I will look into a dedicated circuit.
Once here I will report back with my findings...hoping for the best :-)
db |
@photodusty ,
At the very least, change out the outlets to Hospital grade-even Leviton's.
Not very expensive, and an easy improvement.
Bob |
Came across this old thread and couldn't help myself. I had a pair of these in the late 90's and they were wonderful. I had just graduated college and the 3.3's were jammed into a room way too small; even then still enjoyable. At the time I used an Aragon 8008BB and it was a nice pairing. If you look up the original Stereophile review of these Cory Greenberg also used an Aragon amp. |
Probably not the best reviewer of all times, but Corey Greenberg still remains one of my favorites as far as entertaining. I built his Aunt Corey’s buffered passive preamp which kicked… you know what.
Yes, the Aragon 4004 rocket the big NHT’s. |
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