2. amps-preamps
  3. 1368320041

How can a 30 watt, 28 year old amp sound more

I recently connected a 30 watt NAD 3130 integrated to my 85 db efficient 8 ohm ATC SCM 12's. The amp it replaced was a 120 Watt high current and very highly rated amp. The sound I got was bolder, deeper, punchier and more dynamic. It took hold of the mid/woofers and whipped them into total submission. What the hell?

What would account for that? I always thought more watts, high current equals more dynamics and control. This proves me wrong. The NAD is also a high current design, but 30 watts??? is it damping factor? is it slew rate? the 120 watt amp has a damping factor of over 500 and is stable to 2 ohms. The spec on the NAD does not include damping factor or slew rates. It too is stable into 2 ohms.

Can anyone explains why in this case, watts did not matter? any idea what makes this 30 Watt integrated sound so bold, dynamic, and punchy?

Thanks
bokfudo
bojack
636 posts
 
I have an NAD 7225PE that I will never sell in a millions years. It just sounds awesome, and the only word I can use to describe its sound is "alive." I think that its sense of pacing is the key. It just makes me tap my foot and smile when I hear it, and it has run nearly continuously (with an occasional vacation) since 1991. When they designed this amp, they did it RIGHT.
ddd1
261 posts
 
I have an amp that would eat that NAD for lunch, but I would rather not mention the brand. Hope that helps.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
NAD integrateds most-likely have passive line stage preamps so impedance match could be a problem.
bokfudo OP
58 posts
 
Point taken Ddd1... I am not mentioning brands for the 120 watt amp and Pre as I may be selling them and would rather not give the impression that they are not great pieces.

I was only looking for input from the more "technical" folks as to what could give a good indication for control and dynamic punch with Amps. I always thought damping factor (higher equals more control), slew rate (ability to respond quickly) and wattage (power output) would give those indications. Now I'm not so sure...

Cheers
ddd1
261 posts
 
A lot of it is synergy, matching the amp to whatever speaker is partnered with it. The 120W amp, whatever it is, might sound better with a different pair of speakers and suit a listener who plays music at louder levels and/or in a larger room. Years ago I used to own a NAD C370 integrated and enjoyed it very much in my system.
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