NAD C272 or Onkyo A-9555 or what? Please Help


I bought one of those Tivoli Radios for my kitchen a couple of years ago, and realized it sounded better than my 1980's A/V receiver and tower speakers. I realized I had to upgrade. My budget was very limited. I did a lot of research on the internet, and eventually purchased a Sonic Super T-Amp, and Oppo DVD player, and a pair of Infinity Primus 150's. I think the system totaled under $500. I was a huge improvement.

In the last six months, I've started getting into headphone audio. I bought a HeadRoom Micro DAC, a Musical Fidelity X-Can v3, and AKG K701's. Most of my music listening moved to headphones, and my loudspeakers were used mostly for movies. Shortly thereafter, for the utility of multiple inputs and a remote control, I bought a NAD C325bee. The Sonic T-Amp went into storage.

This week, after rearranging my living room (which is approximately 12' x 24') into a more listening-friendly configuration. I thought about buying new speakers, and I started really spending some time with the 325bee. I was not happy. The music sounded muddy, blurred, undetailed. I pulled the T-Amp out of storage, hooked it up with the NAD as a preamp, and things dramatically improved. Not sure I'm using the correct audiophile terminology, but the attack was faster, the silence blacker, and the music generally more toe-tapping.

So I'm in the market for a new amp and/or speakers. If I was to stick with the T-Amp, I would want to get much better speakers, but the selection of inexpensive (under $1000, preferably under $600) sensitive (T-Amp is only 15 Watts) looks very limited--especially considering what I can audition locally. Dealers near me (Detroit, Michigan suburbs) carry B&W, Monitor Audio, Totems, and Magnepans. None of those, as far as I know, are known as high-sensitivity speakers. I haven't been able to find any other high-end brands around here, and I'd rather listen to them before buying.

On the other hand, the local selection of inexpensive amps is even more limited. Local dealers carry mostly either A/V receivers, Yamaha, some Rotel, or stuff that's way above my budget.

Given that I like the sound of the digital T-Amp, I looked for a more powerful digital. I found the Onkyo A-9555. It's generally well reviewed, but I'm gun shy of buying based on reviews after my 325bee experience. Another option is to use the bee as a preamp, and buy a NAD C272, but I also can't listen to it before I buy. Would the combined NAD's give me the fast, detailed quality I hear with the T-Amp?

I found the C272 for $600, while the Onkyo is $450. If I'm also going to buy new speakers, $600 is a stretch for me. I listed mostly to jazz, classical, and some indie rock--no hip-hop or metal. Room size is about 12 by 24 feet. I live in an apartment, so I don't normally listen at very loud volume levels.

Please suggest speaker/amp combos. I a "WOW!" experience compared with the Primus 150's and T-Amp. Can it be done for around or under $1000? Sorry this was so long. Thanks for you advice.
paulgorman
Have you considered the Rega Brio3. Great sound if you don't need alot of power.
Thanks, Mike. I think I did look at the Rega Brio3 when I was originally shopping for the NAD bee, but I just couldn't find much info on it. Rega's website doesn't tell me if there are any local (Detroit) dealers, but I don't recall coming across any. Have you heard the T-Amp, and how would you characterize The Brio's sound in comparison?

I'm also starting to think whichever new amp I buy should probably be +80 Watts. Otherwise, I'm still going to be pretty restricted in my choice of speakers.
Well this may sound self serving, but I am selling an ARCAM A80 here on Audiogon for $550.00 that is quite a step up from the usual Stereophile Class C fare. I have had a Nait 5i and a Unison Unico and could(and have) lived with either of those or the Arcam A80.They really are all in the same class, though the Nait 5i will give just a little more wow. The A80 was better than the Arcam Alpha 9 I had years ago. As far as bang for the buck, there is nothing better in an integrad than the A80. Very musical too.
I have the Onkyo A-9555 and have been very pleased with it. I also have the NAD 720 BEE stereo receiver, which has the same amp section as the 320BEE, which, in turn, was the predecessor of your 325BEE. I think I can understand why you feel that the 325BEE sounds muddy and undetailed. The 325BEE has rolled-off highs and a strong bottom end which, taken together, can create that impression.

If you move to the Onkyo, I think you'll be happier with the sound. Note, however, that the Onkyo also has rolled-off high frequencies, but I think it has more details than the NAD.

By the way, I read somewhere that what is holding the 325BEE back is the pre-amp section, not the power-amp section. If that is true, then you may want to try using a pre amp with your 325BEE.
NAD 325 BEE is a capable amp. However, its pre-amp section is not as good as its power amp section. Maybe you want to try a used NAD pre amp 160 or 162.

I have auditioned a pair of Monitor Audio RS 6 driven by a a NAD 315 BEE. They sound great together.

I am a fan of Class A/B amp. To my ears, the NAD sounds more organic and more believable.

If you get the B & W or Monitor Audio floorstanders, your NAD 325BEE will do fine.