NAD arrived today, i'll be putting it through the paces tonight.

It looks just great.
I've been a Nad fan for more than 20 years. I 've always consider Nad a brand apart, simply because they make such great gear at such low price.
So...congrats.
BTW, is it your first Nad ?

yes it is.

Alvaro and I saw some gorgeous modern NADs at the Lisbon hi-fi show last year.

NAD has moved up-market, but your pre is from their golden era as Crooner said. I believe it´s the pre-amp section of NAD´s ultra famous 3020 integrated, which has a great phono section.

If you decide it is a keeper, you might consider having the volume pot upgraded with something like an Alps blue, or, better still, a stepped attenuator.

Jorge

been listening with the NAD pre in place and i like it a lot. the NAD sounds very good, more refined than the Luxman, not a lot but noticable, and takes the edge off that the Luxman had. i've also had to cut back the gain on the B-2x (to about 75% of max) as the NAD seems to give more on the low end as well. all controls are silky smooth and dead quiet. i'll swap it with the Hafler tomorrow, but unless the Hafler is significantly better, i will most likely keep the NAD in the main rig for now. i like the look and the dual outputs.

Good to hear that the NAD is so nice.

been enjoying the NAD so much i forgot to swap the Hafler in today. not enough time now so it will wait for another day.

listening with the Hafler in as pre now. even though you guys told me so, i'm still a bit surprised that its better sounding than the NAD. the NAD is indeed good but the Hafler, even though i have to use a splitter (thanks Mark B.!) because of a single output, is still cleaner and more natural, sounds like there is less 'stuff' in the signal path. i think i'll have to pick up another one, maybe the DH-110 and sell the NAD.

Great to know you´re enjoying the Hafler, Scott. It certainly is one step ( or two ) above the NAD, and I would guess it´s a lot more tweakable.

Bear in mind what I said before regarding the volume pot. It can make quite a difference, and it´s worth saving up for. People think this is silly untill they hear what a difference a good stepped attenuator can make.

Jorge

i'll keep it in mind Jorge but i'm not one for tweaking much.

Good to hear that you've found a preamp that you really like. You should even make a small profit selling the NAD.

i'm not looking to turn a profit but i got such a good deal that its probably inevitable.

had new carpet put in on Monday so i thought i would swap out the Luxman for the Carver Receiver and see how it sounds, i've also got the DIY silver IC's throughout. with the new carpet i was able to move the speakers further apart as well. after a bit of tweaking with speaker position and controls, the system sounds really nice. i am in no rush to get the Luxman back into the mix, the Carver sounds very sweet. next i'll be trying out some special speaker wire.

special speaker wire? do tell!!!

elroy

i'll report back when i have it in place.