NAD 214 Advice needed

[blackraven]

I have a chance to buy a pair of NAD 214 power amps for $300 for the pair or $170 each. I have read mixed reviews about the bass. Can any one comment on the sound of this amp? I am considering 1 amp but may buy 2 and biamp them.

Thanks,

Larry

[Feanor]

I have a chance to buy a pair of NAD 214 power amps for $300 for the pair or $170 each. I have read mixed reviews about the bass. Can any one comment on the sound of this amp? I am considering 1 amp but may buy 2 and biamp them.
...
How would you intend to use them?

I owned a NAD C270 amp a few years ago. The bass was overly warm and the resolution only so-so with some grain. I suggest you get another Class D audio; you can get a complete CDA-224 kit for $366, or a SDS-224 as kit for $477 plus shipping; see HERE (http://classdaudio.com/complete-kits/build-your-own-class-d-audio-sds-series-amplifier.html).

http://classdaudio.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/700x700/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/s/d/sds_amp_kit.jpg

[markw]

I've used a 214 with Sound Dynamics RTS-3's and DCM CX-21's and have had n complaints with either. The SD'ssound wunnerful and "ral".

They barely drove my MMG's but didn't have the juice to drive my maggie 1.6's when i got' em, though. I would't think about bridging 'em for the 4 ohm maggies, though. My buddy at Saturday audio warned against htis, or any 4 ohm speakers on a bridged consumer amp.

IIRC, What Hi Fi liked these when they came out but here's (http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/nad214e.html) a review from TNT audio I was able to dig up.

[blackraven]

I was going to use them to drive my MMG's or give them to my son. I guess that I will pass on them. The same guy is selling me a vintage 1964 Sansui TU-70 tube tuner. The darn thing has 14 tubes in it, all test as new. It will need to be recapped and the dial tuner will need to be restrung which is not a fun job.

[harley .guy07]

I was going to use them to drive my MMG's or give them to my son. I guess that I will pass on them. The same guy is selling me a vintage 1964 Sansui TU-70 tube tuner. The darn thing has 14 tubes in it, all test as new. It will need to be recapped and the dial tuner will need to be restrung which is not a fun job.

Sounds like a little work but you might be pleasantly surprised at the performance out of it when its done. I like some of the high end components of the past due to the low price of admission and the project they provide me in order to get the best out of them. I have not dabbled in any older components in a while but I used to rebuild older high end speakers like the Infinity kappas and such for people and went through and replaced drivers and crossover components and there was a since of accomplishment when I would hook them up for the first time and they would sound better than they ever did or as good as they did when they were brand new.

[blackraven]

Harely, I picked the tuner up 2 days ago for $40. It sounds pretty good with a POS antenna. I will need to be tuned and have some caps replaced. It will cost me about $150 to have it refurbished.

Here are some pics of the TU-70

Just acquired this Sansui TU-70 tuner in near mint condition... - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=429916)

Mine is not in as good condition as the one in the pictures but with a little clean up it will come close.

[blackraven]

How would you intend to use them?

I owned a NAD C270 amp a few years ago. The bass was overly warm and the resolution only so-so with some grain. I suggest you get another Class D audio; you can get a complete CDA-224 kit for $366, or a SDS-224 as kit for $477 plus shipping; see HERE (http://classdaudio.com/complete-kits/build-your-own-class-d-audio-sds-series-amplifier.html).

http://classdaudio.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/700x700/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/s/d/sds_amp_kit.jpg

Feaor, I did some research and the difference between the SDS and CDA kits are minimal. The SDS have XLR, adjustable gain and a larger heat sink form what I have read. The rest of the amp is supposedly the same.

I was hoping to buy one of the 214's but I think I will pass and eventually build an SDS 254L