I recently move to a new apartment. Having to spend money in new furniture, I was facing a problem: my hi-fi rig was incomplete and have no enough money to buy something to match my +4.500US$ speakers and +3.000US$ cd player. I tried the NAD 352, for just US$399. ¡What a revelation! The amp is ugly compared to the rest of my equipment. A simple case in gray with plastic buttons, light and utilitarian.There are more than enough inputs (7), and for just 120 US$ you can buy the matching phono stage. Tone controls with tone defeat button, balance, a useless rear soft-clipping swich, 2 pre-amps out and 1 amp in completes the package. At first it sounds powerful but sterile and edgy. After a complete week of break-in the edginess was gone. But after 3 months ¡bang! The bass became big, full, a little loose but authorative, the midrange absolutely clear, precise and the highs extended but rounded, with a remarkably image and soundstage for the money. The balance control is a mess: keep it at the center or you will loss clarity and focus. Use it with speakers that are on the dry and bright side of neutral and you´ll be rewarded with a warm a clear sound. The remote control is BIG, only useful if you have others NAD equipment. One final tip: remove the jumpers that attach the pre to power section with a short lenght of cable, and the quality of the sound, the decay of the notes is more precise, agile, vivid. Wait for the amp to open completely, for the money is a sure winner, don´t look further!
If your still interested - francisco meant - replace the jumpers on rear -with a small length - good pair of interconnect cables as these jumpers are scrap metal. - i too have this amp and yes it is good.
Talking of NAD equipment, has anyone any experience of the C162 Pre-Amp and its corresponding Power Amp, C272? I am considering whether to purchase a pair and possibly add another C272 to either Bi-Amp or Bridge. Does anyone have any comments to make on Bi-Amping and Bridging, not necessarily with NAD equipment. I listen largely to classical music, but enjoy Jazz and my wife likes her pop music. Your thoughts please.
