Paradigm Signature S6 V.3 w/NAD

[stream]

Hello-

First post here- thanks to all for the information out there. I'm looking at stereo systems (not home theater) and have focused on coupling the Paradigms with NAD's C 275BEE/165BEE combo. I'll give this combination a listen in the near future but if any of you have experience with this setup I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. I'm not committed to this setup but research tells me it's a pretty sound (no pun intended) setup.

Acoustic music centered on folk, Celtic, and blues along with classic bebop jazz with a bit of rock & roll added comprise most of my musical interests.

Thx-

stream

 

[sharkman]

Hi, I have the Sig 6 with an Emotiva amp. Having never had NAD, I can say that the Paradigm's are very revealing and completely disappear into the soundstage they present.

In my experience, the rest of the electronics also have an influence on the sound. I experimented with an Anthem pre amp and found it veiled compared with a Denon 3803 functioning as pre amp. I ended up with an Emotiva XDA-1 (Dac with volume function).

Another thing is that the listening room can limit the outcome. I've got my system in a room that's 11x22 with a 7'7" ceiling, and even with carpet it's a little lively and at higher volumes gets congested. I moved it to a large room for comparison and the difference was notable.

If you can, audition a few different brands with your favorite tracks, even take a few notes.

 

[ski2xblack]

Welcome to the forum, Stream.

I think the NAD gear would do just fine.

My only grype with NAD is they seem to have forgotten their value oriented roots. That particular combo you're considering has a pretty stiff retail price.

If you can handle the drab NAD aesthetic, perhaps you could handle the ugly looks of Emotiva gear. It will get you to the same place for a fraction of the cost. They have a two channel pre-amp and a whole bunch of truly great amps to choose from.

edit: hmm, that's two Emo suggestions so far. Can you tell this is a forum that values the most bang for the buck?

 

[anamorphic96]

I second ski2xblack in that NAD has lost much of the value and bang for the buck it use to offer. The C275's predecessors which are essentially the same amp with different cases retailed for 800 and below. The pre-amp use to go for 699 as well. Now 900 with no substantial changes.

While the NAD gear is well made and sounds really good. There just isn't any value any more with many of their products. It's a shame because they used to be one of the best values on the market.

The Emotiva suggestion above is a good one. One other thing to consider is going the used route. Amps and pre-amps tend to have fewer issues if any and offer great value on the used market. You could easily get something much better then what your currently looking at and save some money.

 

[digicidal]

In my experience, the rest of the electronics also have an influence on the sound. I experimented with an Anthem pre amp and found it veiled compared with a Denon 3803 functioning as pre amp. I ended up with an Emotiva XDA-1 (Dac with volume function).

Have you had any problems with the XDA-1? I was about to pull the trigger on one for my 2ch setup, but after reading some feedback on a few different forums about people having issues with the volume control... I backed off.

Most notably, do you notice issues using the remote to control the volume? It seemed most of the people having problems were finding that the volume didn't always move when using the remote vs. the buttons on the unit itself IIRC.

@stream - I really like NAD gear, but I agree about the price. I planned on getting one - but found a Cambridge Audio 640A for less than a third of the price. IMO both the CA and the NAD gear has a very similar feature-set, build quality, aesthetic, and performance. However, if you purchase used or demo gear - you can save quite a bit. Check out AudioAdvisor from time to time and they should have some demo units up for a tidy discount.

 

[sharkman]

About the XDA, the volume was implemented so that for the first several steps off 0 it would increase rapidly, then for the rest of the range much more gradually. For some using it as a pre amp this was too rapid(some others with lower gain amps and or less sensitive speakers, no problem), myself included, so Emotiva offered to adjust it for anyone who prefers it. I understand this is an open ended offer, and it involves some kind of a firmware change.

Anyway, I've since had it back from Emotiva and the volume works about like my Onkyo 876, you have to turn it up about 25 db off 0 to start to hear audio. The remote adjusts the volume without issue. It's my first DAC and I'm really happy with the performance and the option to go without a pre amp.

But back on topic, I wasn't recommending an Emotiva option for Stream per say, just that auditioning different brands would be a good approach. I'd add that Parasound has some good options in his price range and some of their amps have a bias towards class A though they are class AB amps.

 

[twobrat]

I've heard the S8's. The Be tweeter is the best i have heard.

 

[GranteedEV]

In my experience, the rest of the electronics also have an influence on the sound. I experimented with an Anthem pre amp and found it veiled compared with a Denon 3803 functioning as pre amp. I ended up with an Emotiva XDA-1 (Dac with volume function).

Denon is always reliable to be transparent. No "mystery audiophile" business.

My favorite is when people call a brand "sterile". It makes me want to buy it.

 

[Warpdrv]

I've heard the S8's. The Be tweeter is the best i have heard.

Funny, seems there is a guy on the AVS paradigm thread that has replaced his gpal tweeter in the studio's with the Be tweeter.... I thought that was pretty cool....

Looking at both speakers - the xover is the same freq, so it should work out nicely...... Thinkin about upgrading my .v1 S4's tweet now...

 

[twobrat]

Very cool! I wondered if that was possible.

 

[Docks]

I've read the BE tweeters we have in the V2 and up are pretty pricey. IMO they are worth it though, I completely love the sound it provides.

 

[clouso]

Funny, seems there is a guy on the AVS paradigm thread that has replaced his gpal tweeter in the studio's with the Be tweeter.... I thought that was pretty cool....

Looking at both speakers - the xover is the same freq, so it should work out nicely...... Thinkin about upgrading my .v1 S4's tweet now...

thats interesting!...never heard the BE since i never auditioned the sigs...what is the biggest difference between gpal and berylium?....sound wise i mean..if its worth it maybe ill do it...and depends also at what price!...lol

 

[Rickster71]

Funny, seems there is a guy on the AVS paradigm thread that has replaced his gpal tweeter in the studio's with the Be tweeter.... I thought that was pretty cool....

Looking at both speakers - the xover is the same freq, so it should work out nicely...... Thinkin about upgrading my .v1 S4's tweet now...

That's what stopped me from even looking into it; I thought the x-overs were different.