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NAD vs Cambridge audio vs Music hall

I am a college student on a limited budget putting together my first real system, i have found a pair of totem dreamcatcher monitors and have a small sub to go with these speakers, i have posted forums before, asking about cheap tubes vs ss etc. i think at this point i am going to go with a ss just because of the fact that i still have a year of school left and that im not all that experinced and dont know if im ready for the 'maintenance' of tubes right yet. I have narrowed my choice down to 3 budget integrateds, the NAD c320bee ($400 new), the cambridge audio 640a ($479 new), and the music hall A25.2 ($600 new), unfortunately i do not have the ability to demo any of these. I apreciate all recommendations and and experience that anyone has had with any of these amps................ thanks
robferg
hammergjh
156 posts
 
I compared some of the lower end NAD stuff to the Rotel and CA stuff, both integrated amps and CDP's for a system I wanted to get my son for his birthday. I listened extensively to the integrateds, the CA sounded better than the other two brands mentioned. I liked the CA CDP better also. Never listened to the music hall. All pretty reasonably priced.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Oh dear, I'm going to disagree with Hammergjh. I compared the Cambridge and NAD models you mention and came away with a clear preference for the NAD. I was happy about this, because it left me with more cash for a source or for music.

(BTW, my preference in sources was the other way 'round. I liked the Azur 640 CDP better than the NAD BEE player.)

However I haven't heard the new Music Hall model you mention. If it's a Shanling in disguise, chances are it is a killer value. It would be nice to have a post from someone who has listened to it.
robferg OP
6 posts
 
yeah i believe that the music hall piece is relatively new to the market, it is about in line with the others as it is a 50wpc. Music Hall also makes the Mambo integrated which is also 50wpc but it costs about 1300, i realize that it has a DAC and a 'better' build quality, but i am wondering what else it might have over the 600 a25.2 if anything
ganga
2 posts
 
I have recently purchased a music hall a25.2 and I am very pleased with it. I had a question directed to the technical department and the big man himself answered the same day. Very courteous and available. Try that with NAD or cambridge audio. The music Hall is very smooth, liquid and rich sounding without any distortion (.004%). The build quality is superb with a gorgeous real aluminum remote. I'm sure that the rated 50 WPC is very conservative which is important if you want to run totem speakers. I'm purchasing a pair of totem rainmakers for my system. I'll let you know how it all works once I get them. Nad makes good stuff. I have a NAD CD player. But they look cheap in the black plastic. The cambridge audio is cheaply built and they seem to have problems. Check out the forums on the internet. It's too bad there aren"t any english reviews on the Music Hall. I bought mine without hearing. A german magazine did a review on the a25.2 and loved it. Front cover stated "Music Hall of Fame."
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