Description

Caveat: The Prices listed above are MSRP. In most cases I bought used or refurb which means I payed a whole lot less..

Finally had a chance to update my system from my college system. Look at item descriptions for more information.

Sound is somewhat forward and on some recordings sounds great and on others almost a little harsh. Have the bass tone control cranked up and the treble cranked down slightly. I know I'm "supposed" to use the tone defeat button, but I like it corrected like this. Perhaps it's because my room sucks, but the sound is very empty without adjusting tone controls.

Haven't added my interconnects yet, but they are TARA LABS and Tributaries of some kind. Thanks to my uncle who is also into audio equipment and has an attic full of nice interconnects and speaker cables. I don't think I could have brought myself to pay top dollar for cables. Cables just aren't that FUN!
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Components Toggle details

    • NAD M3 Integrated Amplifier
    NAD M3 Masters Series integrated amplifier. Very heavy, very nice, very smooth sound. Took off most of the edge that I didn't like from the 375BEE. 375 relegated to the rear channels.
    • NAD C375BEE Integrated Amplifier
    150W X 2
    Integrated Amplifier
    Pretty great amp though I am currently on the lookout for a used NAD M3. Then this will become my rear channel amp.
    • Cambridge Audio 840C CD Player
    Cambridge Audio 840C CD Player. Upsamples to 384k. Has two digital inputs for connecting other digital equipment. In my case I connect my computer via the digital out.
    • Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-Ray Player
    Very nice blu-ray player. Also plays SACD and has usb ports for flash drives. The SE version has some very high end DACS. Because I am using two integrated amplifiers for my front channels and back channels, I am in the unique position of being able to completely omit a surround processor. Instead I simply use the analog outs from this unit. I do have to adjust the front and rear volume separately which is a little funny, but it's a small price to pay to eliminate an extra component.
    • Paradigm Studio 100 v4 Speakers
    Front Speakers
    Great speakers from Paradigm. Got em used on Audiogon for 1600$
    Upgrade from my Studio 40 v2 that I have had for 10 years. Great upgrade.
    • Paradigm Studio 40 v2
    Rear channel speakers
    Demoted from Front when the new paradigms arrived. Didn't think they would have much future in my system, but I have found I really enjoy having them mirror the front channels. Not sure what some audiophiles would say about this, but it evens out the sound and makes it fill the room. Probably because my room is so bad acoustically.
    • Asus Xonar Essence STX
    Audiophile sound card for the computer. Also has a good headphone AMP. Was lusting after Benchmark DAC1 Pre but decided on this for price and because I am a computer buff. My Sennheiser HD555 sound great on it. I have it connected to my Int Amp via it's RCA Analog outputs, and to my CD player's DAC via it's toslink out. That way I can compare it.
    • Home made Personal Computer
    Intel Core 2 Duo, 320GB, 2GB RAM
    AV Computer connected to Plasma Television via HDMI. Also has a small monitor on top of audio rack. Wireless keyboard and Blue Track mouse (works on any surface, even cats.)

    Contains the Asus Xonar Essence sound card and a GeForce 9600GSO video card.

    Most of the music is on a RAID5 file server in my basement.
    • Project Audio Debut III
    Nice entry level turntable. Has the acryl-it acrylic platter upgrade and a sumiko pearl cartridge. Sounds pretty good to me. Never knew LPs could sound as good as a CD.
    • Cambridge Audio 540P Phono Preamp
    Nice basic quality moving magnet phono preamp. Looks nice too...
    • Sumiko Pearl
    Nice cartridge. Warm sound but sacrifices mid-range clarity.
    • Panasonic 42 Inch Plasma
    42 inch Plasma TV from costco.
    1280 X 720
    720p, 1080i
    HDMI from DVD Player
    • Monoprice 12 guage speaker cable
    Good speaker cable from monoprice. My uncle lent me a pair of PS Audio xStream prelude speaker cables, but they are only 8ft long. My equipment can't be that close to the speakers.. and I can't afford 20ft runs of nice wire.

Comments 6

Owner
No. I'm actually using a NAD C325 integrated amp for the rear channels. And yes, I am using a full CA 840 system for the front for both movies and music.. Well, the Oppo supplies the dac for movies not the 840C. I'm looking to sell the NAD M3 as it doesn't have a place in my current system.. I was comparing the M3 and the CA setup.. and I think I am going with the CA setup...

trackernc

Thank you for your reply. It sound absolutely spectacular. It is educational to follow your changes. If you have time I love to see new photos.

Are you saying you are using full CA 840 system (pre/power/cd) for music and adding the NAD M3 for your rears (or visa versa)? Isn't this over kill? Have you considered an amp w/ HT pass thru so you can add addition channels for movies?

mjcmt

Owner
Ugh. I just updated my system a bunch and then didn't see the finalize changes button at the bottom and lost then all... But I still want to respond to your question.. The major changes are no more C375BEE and I got the Cambridge Audio 840E Preamp and 840W Amp. Also got Zu Audio Event speaker cables and Mission interconnects...

I actually use the 840C for playing CDs and for being a dac for my computers. I paid for the SE version of the Oppo because I intend on using the Oppo for SACD and for surround sound movies.. I haven't done extensive testing between the Oppo and CA 840C but the Oppo gives the CA a run for it's money...

As for the M3 vs C375BEE... The main difference I heard when I switched to the M3, was smoothness.. I don't know how else to describe it... It definitely took some of the harshness away and allowed me to turn the volume higher without hurting my ears... My system has always been a little bright and that is precisely what I was trying to remote... The M3 provides more power and more smoothness. Definitely worth the upgrade considering you can find NAD M3s used for 1450 and the C375 for 950... Actually... I think I need to sell my M3 to pay for the new CA stuff... Message me if you are interested.. (prolly gonna get in trouble for saying that...)

Okay... gonna try to update again...

trackernc

May I ask what your thoughts are about the NAD M3 vs. C375 BEE. I'm looking to purchase an integrated amp for a 2 channel movies and music system.
And how does the Oppo compare to the Cambridge for cds. I suppose you use the CA's dac for the Oppo so it probably isn't a fair comparison.
i'd like to know what your system consists of now. You know you can go to your page > virtual systems > edit system, to make changes.

mjcmt

Owner
Yep. My house is a mess is what it comes down too.

Didn't even realize I still had this up... a lot has changed!

trackernc

Nice assortment of desirable equipment, just too bad your listening space is so cramped. It would really shine if you had a better room. And super nice Stressless recliners by Ekornes too.

mjcmt

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