Receiver

Agree. The NAD PE series of the early 80's had outstanding dynamic power and were considered audiophile quality. You might find them delivering more punch and thunder and excitement. Since they are quite agey at this point, you might find the hk more listenable in terms of lower distortion (no TIM after about 1995) and in terms of detail. Moreoever, the hk has respectible dynamic power as well. NAD is generally more acceptable in the audiophile community than hk. But of the current product I prefer the hk which is softer and has a fatter sound.

As a novice you need to hear quality sound so that you have a reference, but ultimately it doesn't matter what others think. You need to satify yourself and that might mean switching back and forth from one amp to another to appreciate the qualities of each. Or it might mean you prefer the dynamics over higher fidelity. You can always sell what you don't like on ebay.

I can relate growing up in MN. So far, I can't find out if your NAD's have active preamps. Your hk3470 has pre out which means it has an active preamp. Generally receivers and integrateds have passive preamps which causes them to sound somewhat dull compared to power amps and preamps for example. Assume that your NAD does have a passive pre--if I find out, I'll let you know. Then you are comparing it to a receiver with less dynamic power but with an active pre.

In addition, the early 80's are close to shutdown, by which I mean that the capacitors are probably leaking and drying out and therefore the dynamic power that the NAD's once had will be diminished.

Just to help you understand what you are hearing when you compare. Have fun. Lynne