NAD L54 DVD receiver

[Joe Schmoe]

Has anyone heard it? If so, what are your impressions? Is it worth $700 for an audio-only system?

 

[Seth=L]

They don't give 4 ohm ratings, which isn't a good idication it would be exactly fit to power the Mirage. My personal experience with the NAD L54 has been very little, but it seems to be well built. It looks better than most NAD products. The place I saw it didn't have it connected to any speakers unfortunately.

I know we discussed Teac already, but I missed one. The Teac A-H500 is a half size integrated amplifier from the Reference Series, like the other products you looked at. If you can find that amp anywhere it would power the Mirage fine. It is 4 ohm stable.

It's a beefy little guy.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

J&R has a related one, the H300 MK III. Together with the matching CD player, it would cost about the same as what I can get the NAD on sale for, and is rated at 35 watts to the NADs 50. I really like the idea of a single-piece system, though, and that NAD is gorgeous looking. (Also, I don't know if it is actually true, but part of my brain is convinced that NAD would sound better.)

 

[Seth=L]

J&R has a related one, the H300 MK III. Together with the matching CD player, it would cost about the same as what I can get the NAD on sale for, and is rated at 35 watts to the NADs 50. I really like the idea of a single-piece system, though, and that NAD is gorgeous looking. (Also, I don't know if it is actually true, but part of my brain is convinced that NAD would sound better.)

Sound better, LOL, NAD.

The A-H500 and the A-H300 are a little different. The A-H300 isn't 4 ohm rated and doesn't feature a toroidal power transformer. The A-H500 can drive 4 ohm speakers at 80 watts per channel and 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms.

As I mentioned, the NAD L54 may not be 4 ohm stable. Your Carver, however, more than likely is.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Sound better, LOL, NAD.

You don't think so, then, even though NAD consistently receives top ratings and awards for sound quality?
Nobody has the H500 for sale.
Another option would be not spending money, perish the thought!

 

[Seth=L]

Another option would be not spending money, perish the thought!

That is probably your best option.

About NAD sounding better... if they do in fact sound "different" (warm sounding) then they must be doing something to color the sound (not transparent). In my limited listening experience with NAD I can't say I notice them sounding different from Yamaha or Denon on the same setups.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Well, I did it. I ordered the L54. Am I crazy? Probably, but I just loooove shiny new toys. I am hoping for a step up in sound, but even if it isn't, I love the way it looks. My 2-channel setup is now complete (at least until I replace it entirely!)
FWIW I got it from Audiophile Liquidators for a total of $595 including shipping (which is over $100 less than the price before shipping elsewhere.)

How much do you suppose I can get for a mint Carver CM 1090 (no remote) on ebay?

 

[Seth=L]

Well, I did it. I ordered the L54. Am I crazy? Probably, but I just loooove shiny new toys. I am hoping for a step up in sound, but even if it isn't, I love the way it looks. My 2-channel setup is now complete (at least until I replace it entirely!)
FWIW I got it from Audiophile Liquidators for a total of $595 including shipping (which is over $100 less than the price before shipping elsewhere.)

How much do you suppose I can get for a mint Carver CM 1090 (no remote) on ebay?

Man, you got me, I haven't even seen a Carver Integrated amplifier. Could range between $150-300.

Good luck, but don't sell it too soon. What if you find the NAD can't handle the speakers.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Good luck, but don't sell it too soon. What if you find the NAD can't handle the speakers.

Obviously, I can't sell it until I get the new unit and make sure it works. The NAD can definitely handle the speakers, as they are 8 Ohms nominal and fairly efficient.

 

[Seth=L]

Obviously, I can't sell it until I get the new unit and make sure it works. The NAD can definitely handle the speakers, as they are 8 Ohms nominal and fairly efficient.

Those speakers don't stay at 8 ohms, they are measured to go down to 4 ohms on occasion. This is Mirage's published specification.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Those speakers don't stay at 8 ohms, they are measured to go down to 4 ohms on occasion. This is Mirage's published specification.

A speaker rating of "8 Ohms" is always nominal only. They all drop below 4 Ohms occasionally, and they can all be driven by 8 Ohm receivers. The only possible issue would be playing them very loud, and I never listen very loud.
You worry too much.

 

[Seth=L]

A speaker rating of "8 Ohms" is always nominal only. They all drop below 4 Ohms occasionally, and they can all be driven by 8 Ohm receivers. The only possible issue would be playing them very loud, and I never listen very loud.
You worry too much.

Just trying to help.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Just trying to help.

As I mentioned over in the speaker section, I have reaquired my old Athena F1s. To my surprise (and some chagrin), it turns out that I prefer them. At 92dB, they should be way easy to drive.
My concern now is that the order for the NAD L54 was confirmed on Friday, but I don't have a UPS tracking number yet. I do hope that Audiophile Liquidators are a reliable company and won't try to rip me off!

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Follow-up: I contacted Audiophile Liquidators. They have not processed my order. I told them to just cancel it. I think I am permanently done with ordering anything over $50 on the net, as it worries me too much. (Based on the sound, I probably can't improve on what I have anyway, and closeting the Mirages makes the looks a moot point.)

 

[Huggler2]

Carver 1090

Well, I did it. I ordered the L54. Am I crazy? Probably, but I just loooove shiny new toys. I am hoping for a step up in sound, but even if it isn't, I love the way it looks. My 2-channel setup is now complete (at least until I replace it entirely!)
FWIW I got it from Audiophile Liquidators for a total of $595 including shipping (which is over $100 less than the price before shipping elsewhere.)

How much do you suppose I can get for a mint Carver CM 1090 (no remote) on ebay?

I LOOKING FOR A CM 1090 IN GOOD CONDITION IF YOU STILL HAVE ONE. GIVE ME A CALL 865.389.2178 CHRIS

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I LOOKING FOR A CM 1090 IN GOOD CONDITION IF YOU STILL HAVE ONE. GIVE ME A CALL 865.389.2178 CHRIS

Sorry, you are too late. (A few months too late, in fact.)

 

[EPF1961]

Ok, now I got you all beat: It's March of 2013 and I just found a mint NAD L54, with remote, at a thrift store for $24! Yes, TWENTY FOUR DOLLARS. Haven't tested it yet, but I was told it works fine, and at that price I didn't ask too many questions, just kind of grabbed it and ran! (I was searching the Web for info and comments on it and found this thread).. I'm an audio guy, but with very little money-- Right now I have a separate amp, tuner and cd/dvd player in my cabinet, all kind of low-end-- It may be nice to replace all 3 components with this one slick unit, and since the audio quality is supposed to be superb, that may be a good swap!

 

[bikemig]

Well does it work? And how about some pics?