NAD 2100 vs. 2200 vs. 2400THX

[salad 419]

Currently, I have a NAD 2100 amp in my listening "man cave"

I have the opportunity to pick up a NAD 2200 or a 2400THX. The specs on the 2200 and 2400 are identical in the owner's manuals.

Would I notice a drastic change if I were to pick one of these other amps up?

I'm fairly happy with the sound, but the bass seems a bit thin? Yes, musical, somewhat tight and deep, but doesn't have that extra punch behind it when listening to rock albums. Would more power help or is the 2100 good enough and I should look at different areas (ie. my cheap CD player)? I also have my Computer hooked into an auxillary input with the same results.

Also, is there a preference between the NAD 2200 and 2400?

Thanks,
ADD

 

[jostenmeat]

You're barking up the wrong tree, IMO.

If the primary complaint is bass being thin, I'd add some subs, or try other speakers. But, first, just in case, see if playing with speaker positioning and listener positioning helps out. Maybe you're sitting in a serious null spot. For a more balanced evening of axial modes, try 38% room length, doesn't matter from front wall or back wall, assuming closed rectangular room.

 

[salad 419]

I've been trying to keep the sub off (you know, so I can be a 2 channel purist). Although when I do use it, the volume is very low. I also never use the tone controls. Hmmm, maybe I'm just an idiot and should do what I think sounds good to my ears???

I guess my train of thought was that I've just been reading all of these reviews lately that kept saying they bought "blah blah" amp and used their reciever for a pre-amp and it sounded better, then bought a dedicated pre-amp and it sounded better,then bought another of the same "blah blah" amp, bridged both of them and ran them mono for each channel and things magically came to life. More detail, punchier deeper bass, etc. Pretty much all of the things I've been complaining about.

I will definately give the speaker placement another go. It's a free mod, why wouldn't I try it. The space however, is not a rectangular room. Thanks for your suggestions and comments.

I do know that I'm not 100% happy.

 

[evan]

I used to own the 2400 years ago. Great amp until my wife screwed with my stereo and blew it out. If I remember I believe the 2400 was just a newer version of the 2200 an then they added THX approval to it for its sound quality.

 

[ski2xblack]

two channel purist?

I've got a 2100. I don't think it is lacking for bass or dynamic power. And many years ago lived with a 2200, a beast of an amp for sure (it could put out 1KW bridged).

But if you're a 2-ch purist, why not go all the way? Listen to some tube amps. I get less bass extension with mine with a 25hz -3db point, but that's plenty for music, and the veracity of the bass is just much more convincing. My low watt SET's just kill my old NAD 2100 in every imaginable way except sheer loudness. And I mean EVERY way. (Ditto for every other solid state amp I've compared them to in my system.) So much more fun to listen to, could be just the cure to what ails ya.

I can almost feel the heat from the flames inevitably coming my way...

 

[ski2xblack]

Hmmm, maybe I'm just an idiot and should do what I think sounds good to my ears???

Bingo. Well, except for the idiot part. You're only an idiot if you get swept up into the 'keep spending excessive money for negligible gains' camp. Don't be afraid to use your tone controls if it sounds better to you. Your 2100 is capable of about 200 clean watts, so you shouldn't run into trouble. You would only benefit from getting the 2200 or 2400 if you are really pushing the spl limits. That old 2200 I had killed my first pair of paradigms (actually ripped apart the spider and completely dislocated the voicecoil from the woofer), so watch out if you go that way.

Back when my 2100 was being used as the primary amp in the living room system, I was sharing a house with musicians who had several different eq's and processors laying around, and of course I had to experiment. They used BBE sonic maximizers for dead-sounding venues. Used in the home, that processor could provide the impression of fatter, deeper bass, I would say more subjectively satisfying than simple tone controls. They are cheap as hell from your local guitar store, fyi. If you're not signal-purity obsessive, this may be a legit, cost effective route to greater satisfaction for you. It worked for me for quite a while, at least until I got into the SET thing. (When it comes to fooling your brain into believing there is a drum kit and stand up bass actually present in your listening room, nothing can match the detail, punch, and drama of a SET paired with efficient speakers. Keep in mind I'm from the subjectivist, live music as the metric camp, not the measurement, IEEE document, oscilliscope camp.)

If I were you, I would utilize my sub and consider adding a second for more even in-room response. Getting the 2200 or 2400 would only help marginally; perhaps you would consider more efficient speakers in lieu of getting vintage NAD gear, or if you want the power get something new (pro-audio amp or Emo, new with warranty are both cost effective choices). You could try a processor as I suggested above. And play with your room (speaker placement, decor/treatments have about as dramatic an impact on sound as the equipment, and if you go spending money on expensive gear before optimizing your room you've veered into that 'idiot' realm).

Good luck achieving audio nirvana. Let us know how it goes.

 

[harveywb]

I was using a NAD 7155 (55 WPC) to drive a pair of KLH Model 23 after giving my son my JS Audio Speakers and NAD 2200 that had been driving the Model 23s and there is a noticeable difference. I believe the 2100 is rated at 50 WPC, so you would probably notice a difference also.

My "other" 2200 had a turn on issue with 1 channel; when I hooked it up to the Model 23s, the left channel is all ground hum, so I'm bummed out as I don't care for the way the Model 23s sound with the 7155 driving them. I had plenty of "natural" base with the 2200 driving the Model 23s (don't like a subwoofer for my music, it's OK for surround sound).

 

[harveywb]

Just an update, now driving the KLH Model 23s with 2 bridged NAD 2155s, 150 WPC/250W peak and I still prefer the NAD 2200, maybe I'll pick up another.