Quote Originally Posted by psonic
Did you verify this independantly? I ask because I wonder if there could have been a problem in that setup (or specific amp), IE source problem or speaker out of phase or left/right input mixed up...I had the singer very center focused on the short audition I did. Perhaps the tracks I played were not a tough test for this, though. I have "the look of love", not that CD. Maybe I can grab a copy and stop over his place and do some more listining. I guess it is also possible (but I doubt it) that the specs have changed or cheaper parts used.
My dealer has carried NAD for years - I forget the designers name but NAD has contracted him on one of their prior more famous amplifiers - so i don't treally think it's a design failing. My dealer carries what he thinks will sound good for the money - and he will drag the manufacturers rep down to the store and tell them what he thinks pro or con. We used the AN E speakers which are not the kind of speakers that press a soundstage to the center like many a slim line so it's more suprising as to the result - there is a hint that vocals are centered but there is also an attempt from that amp to push it farther to the outside of the boxes - I can only assume that is a deliberate attempt to make the soundstage bigger to impress people - but it's so obviously not right. He went through three 320Bees contacted NAD tried to get a hold of the original designer. It may be a production problem and he got 3 bad ones in a row.

You also have to remember that he and me lately have been listening to much more expensive much better amplifiers which makes some of these flaws more noticeable - and the E will pick up on this kind of thing very quickly.

In the end the Rotel unit though (and it hasd some problems) did sound better in this high end system and it costs about the same money. The Rotel managed to be plausible when over its head and that's a compliment to any amp.

For what it's worth - my dealer(who doesn't sell gear anymore but seems to have one room to himself to try out stuff) carries both brands - I'm not going to buy either one he knows it and i know it so there is no point to Lying - I mentioned the positive reviews to him and he brings in the NAD to listen to - it's got problems. But we compared them side by side - most people won't - He said the new Brystons have a similar problem - I can;t say because i have not heard the 3BSST in the system.

I can only go by what I heard - it may be a production problem - it may be the speaker revealing that issue that other lesser speakers (which are likely to be used with that amp) can not. I think it's in the design to make the cheaper amp sound bigger and more high endish than it is - it's a good illusion only if it works.