I tried the Brio. It had a high noise floor, with hum in speakers and headphones (tried two different units from the retailer). I returned it and bought the NAD. The NAD has the same punchy, solid sound, but it is not noisy at all.

I'm not usually a big fan of NAD in the last few years since they have gone Class D crazy, but this NAD sounds better, it's also an AB amp.

NAD definetly

This is a really close one. I don’t notice big differences like sometimes you can tell on other comparisons. Keep the great work !

Great comparison. I’ve been interested in both amps. The NAD sounded like it had a wider sound stage, but the Rega sounded more refined and revealing. When switching to the Rega, it sounded like switching from MP3 quality to HD sound. My guess would be, that the pricier Rega Elex R would be the best of both worlds, having the refinement of the Brio with the wider sound of the NAD. But I wonder how much the DAC influences the sound in this comparison.

Many thanks for what you re doing mate! But.. Since you take so much effort, without proper stands and especially opening the speakers apart enough they all sound the same more or less and actually cause fatigue. Thanks again !

i guess it's comes down to the pairing, the DBR62 is already a relaxed speaker with no over-the-top highs and the Brio is also more tame in that region. Combine both and the sounds gets a tad too closed off and "dark". The DBR pair better with the NAD because it's not as tame as the Brio. The Brio however, can be the perfect pairing for speakers that are a bit over-the-top with the highs. But generally, is disagree with EQ being a bad thing, things like these can be corrected with a mild EQ and i really don't see anything wrong with that. Someone has to explain to audiophiles how much EQ (and processing in general) is being used during the production of the music they are listening to. Come on, don't be stupid.

Je n'ai jamais eût de Nad et je suis plus convaincu par l'ecoute avec celui-ci que le Brio. Le C 316 bee v2 a du coffre et une belle sonorité.

@IMGhee

2 жыл бұрын

a NAD-nál IRL ez, amit itt hallasz fokozottabb. olyan szellősen szólal meg és olyan folyékonyan a DBR62-vel, hogy egész nap tudom hallgatni fáradás nélkül. a hangszereknek van külön kis terük, a hangjukba nem koszol bele a másik hangszer. tehát a hangszereket külön, egymásra hatása nélkül hallod. előtte egy oldtimer Pioneer-om volt és amikor a C316-ot megvettem, rögtön megütötte a WOW szintet és a mai napig felkapom a fejem, ha kivételes minőségű keverést hallok egy track-nél. a phono stage a V2-ben be van építve és állítólag az átlagos minőségi szintet jócskán megüti (ezt nem tudom megerősíteni mert nincs analóg lemezjátszóm). ami még figyelemre méltó, hogy a C316 esetében egy RCA összekötő cseréjét is meghallod (esetemben a hang tisztasága, a magas hangok pontosságát, a sztereó kép javulását és a rétegződés fokozását jelentette)

The Brio sounds much better than it did with the R2, but even if it's a draw, I'd grab the NAD and buy a phono stage and cart with the theoretical savings.

I prefer the NAD on this one. Seems a bit more open. Have we heard the R200’s with the NAD? I still prefer the Cambridge AXR85.

@DougMen1

2 жыл бұрын

Here's the R200s with the AXR kzread.info/dash/bejne/nH-hmZOmYquphbw.html

NAD

I have that brio and a cambridge axr85. And there is a night and day difference between them. Essentially the Brio has more umph and punch to it in a good way. And yet in all these online examples the brio is inferior. My only thought is the speaker pairing? I use Wharfdale Lintons and Klipsch 600m. Im wondering rega paired with these elacs is not a good match as it sounds muted? Rega on the Wharfedale is a match made in heaven.

Looking at Crutchfield, the AXA35 is now $399 instead of $349. They also have two new low cost amps/streamers from a company called OSD, the Nero Stream XD for $229, with 30W at 8 ohms, 50W at 4, with wi-fi and Bluetooth, with optical digital and RCA analog inputs, and USB, binding posts for one pair of speakers, and a Cirrus Logic 24/192 DAC. The Nero Stream XD2 is $349, and has 60W at 8 ohms and 100 at 4, and the same inputs as the XD. They both also have a remote, a sub out, and a headphone jack.

@rupertherbert594

25 күн бұрын

these two amps are totally analogue amps, who is searching for digital inputs, BT and similar amenities, could go check the rest of the world, Marantz, Rotel, Audiolab etc, 90% of the amps out there have digital circuitry inside, but if one need a total analog amp, they are not a good choice

Nad C316BEE V2 vs Brio, I think the Brio is a bit more vivid in the mids and has a bit more punch in the bass and lower mids, while being a bit smoother in the upper mids and highs. I would expect a deeper soundstage and better instrument separation with the Rega in my room but can't tell ss width. I think cheaper amps, typically present a flatter stage, less bass resolution making bass sound slower and sometimes flabby and have a more pronounced upper midrange and high frequency extension sounding a bit brighter, maybe more resolving of detail presented. Although I like more high frequency extension, there's enough in a good amp that gives a tighter bass, a more fluid/smooth and even midrange, low to high with better instrument separation and stage depth. I think I would prefer the Rega for its' sound on the speakers I listen to which typically present higher resolution and detail. Differences can be small to some but when you are familiar with your music, your speakers and room, its' much easier to note those differences. I personally use a Keces E40 and prefer it over both the Rega IO and BRIO for its' smoothness, low end dynamics and it still gives ample high end extension although some amps give more. I think compared to an audiolab, the audiolab may sound a bit brighter and maybe a bit more resolving with more high end extension but less low end/low mid emphasis/warmth? How well one pairs with a speaker is a personal choice. Higher resolution may or may not be as important if the sound isn't presented the way you like. There's a balance of qualities and at various price points. My preference is also two channel so I stay away from AV receivers although they can be had used for very little money, many times under a $100 used and in like new condition. Note, there's alot of markup in any amp sold through dealers, direct companies or used are a bit of a better buy. The AV recievers can sound fine as well but I paid for the additional SQ differences I wanted in an amp. So one could go cheaper and be happy or one could spend much more to be happy, or happier. As you go up the $$$ chain, the differences can become more subtle especially if you listen at lower volumes. It's when you want a louder, more live like you are there sound that more expensive equipment is expected to deliver. And deliver they can. If your listening to low to moderate sound levels, one does not really gain much advantage as you spend more money. Some expensive speakers do not sound that good until you reach a certain volume and have a very capable amp to drive them. So, if you listen at sane levels for hours, many "lower" priced amps will do just fine. System matching is important. A high sensitivity speaker will play better with a low powered amp that puts out lower distortion under or at 1 watt of power and through its' power band with an accurate output of both channels. Cheaper amps sometimes can be a dB or so off from left to right, you'd notice that especially with a high sensitivity speaker. With a low sensitivity speaker, you might need many more watts for a similar SPL and alot of headroom requiring many more watts and higher current output. For the price, the Nad C316BEE V2 is a fine amp. As you pay a bit more, you expect to get a bit more but that still doesn't mean you would expect to like the sound the way it is presented more. The little Keces reminds me of my much larger Hegel up to a certain volume level as the Hegel can go louder. Perhaps, the NAD might remind someone of Naim? Depending on the type of music you listen to, speakers you have, room, etc., you might prefer one over the other in some way. This is what makes this hobby both exciting and maddening at the same time. At under a grand, there's alot of choices, alot. Regarding Cambridge, they seem to make fine products but seem to have a track record of lower QC as there are more complaints of amp failures, humming, noise, etc. compared to other manufacturers. Perhaps they have improved on this recently. For me, I dont think I'd trade my Keces for any of them. The only complaint I have is the remote is a cheap plastic, like many. For the money or a bit more, I'd like a nicer metal remote...but that has nothing to do with amp quality. Happy listening.

@IMGhee

2 жыл бұрын

your visions are very good, it seems to be your hobby and you write from experience.

@williammiebach1798

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with a lot you said, and you said a lot. 😄 I've never heard a Keces amp, but most of the specs look pretty good for a 100 watt integrated, except the DAC, wich is low res by current standards. Of course that's a seperate thing from the performance of it's analog sections, and doesn't mean it isn't a better than average CD level converter.

In this combination I pick the NAD.

Need compare Rega with Audiolab 6000

I am just back from a local shop where I went back kind of unexcited with my purchase of a pair of Wharfedale Evo 4.2 speakers. I run them through a NAD C315BEE, and while they sound correct they were a bit on the "meh" side. So they brought up a Rega Brio, just to do a quick comparison, and I was SHOCKED. The difference is night and day. For whatever reason this is not showing up in this video demo, but trust me, the NAD has nothing, absolutely nothing to do in front of the Rega. The Rega sweeps a stadium floor with the NAD, period.........

For me too the NAD is the winner even though the Brio fares a bit better here than on some of the other demos.

The BAD seems to have a little more upper mids in this, which I think sounds better.

These are both great amps The rega probably has a better phono stage I have the nad myself And fully happy with it

Nice, but.. are they in the same class regarding the price? Here in Greece, the brio has exactly 2x price of the Nad! (and the prices have generally come very high, unfortunately)! I love them both! Interestingly in the video, with this setup, the 316bee, sounds very nice and better than the brio..! 😲 Thanks very much for the demo you're uploading, the only request from me is, if you can, to include more orchestral, Classical, or jazz - acoustic tracks and less hip hop, dancing, heavy metal etc.. in order to discover better the potential of the gear reviewed (except from music tastes).. Thank you again! 😀

Brio sounds less fatiguing than the NAD and has more depth to the soundstage.

Brio refined, NAD in your face and still subtle when it needs to be, for me big win for NAD. I dont have one I use Naim.

channel separation on nad much better (soundstage). sound quality on brio much better. easy as that

I prefer the nad

You can buy two Nad for the price of Rega Brio. After a drawback with Onkyo A9010, bought this Nad, 50% expensive than Onkyo. Wharfedale 220 handle has improved dramatically, but ... Onkyo model is wonderful yet, and Brio isn't twice better than nad. Even here seems a nail better nad. This is a crazy market; most of 300€ amps, CDs, turntables, speakers, are far better than 1.500€ were 30 years ago. Nice time for baby-boomers as me. 😊

@raygu1818

8 ай бұрын

Which do you like better this NAD or the Onkyo A 9110? This Onkyo model sounds nice

it’s weird because Brio should sound better than the C316, but in that comparison, the C316 won IMO. my own system is the C316 + DBR62 and I would say it sounds similar, but IRL has better imaging, is more fluid, more analogous, has more accurate treble and layering, and the texture of the C316 is better than in this recording. youtube (and many others) take so much of the minimum out of audible features.

@williammiebach1798

2 жыл бұрын

Well, if you own that pairing in real life, I'm inclined to believe there's truth in what you say. KZread demo's, the best included can't reveal everyithing as you would hear it in real life.

@IMGhee

2 жыл бұрын

@@williammiebach1798 tonality and a minimal stereo picture, on the other hand, can be heard through these demos. IRL includes room acoustics in the tonality, but of course I did not take into account abnormalities below 500Hz in my above finding. Even with this close microphone, there is some frequency extraction. I examined the output sound of youtube with a software spectrum analyzer. It cuts above 15kHz on youtube, in room of E at 144Hz and its even harmonics there is a frequency extraction, so the tonality isn't entirely accurate either. In an untreated IRL room, in the lower half of the spectrum, these extractions will be elsewhere and there will be amplifications elsewhere. the conclusion is what we have stated many times that channel E provides some sketchy information for comparing A and B, which is a huge help when someone is building a system and feeding hifi lovers like us here! thanks again for it! :)

@williammiebach1798

2 жыл бұрын

@@IMGhee Yep. As the song says "there's nothing like the real thing, baby" Liking an amp and speaker pairing in a KZread demo, or even IRL in a soundroom definitely doesn't mean that the balance you liked will all show up immediately in your listening space, but if you heard it there, it can usually be found and brought out. Unless you just get lucky out of the box, it usually takes a bit of experimenting with speaker placement and some acoustic adjustments to the room to find it..and sometimes you just don't. Even a system you liked the sound of in a different setting may not work as well in your space, and you don't know until you try. 🙄

@topspin4hand

2 жыл бұрын

I find most NAD amplifiers to lack texture, warmth, and fluidity in KZread sound demos, so although I've never owned one, your real-life experience is probably where it's at. I need to pick one up for myself...

i have a Brio, on here the Nad sounds clearer but shallower, the Brio sounds thicker and deeper with more clout, horses for courses!

Amplifier output volume levels are not matched.

The entry level C316Bee is a bit unrefined but punchy and open sounding, and has (sadly) the most livabable sound to me among the current standard line of NAD integrateds, but they all honestly pale in comparison to NAD's classic best. However, do I like it better than the more expensive Rega? I do in some ways, and not others. The Rega is cleaner, more refined, is more neutral to me even though it lacks some frequency extension, and has better soundstage depth and imaging. It does sound to me like a slightly flawed, but more expensive amp.

A NAD jobb!

Two sheets

theres something really good in this Brio DBR62 pairing. very synergistic. Brio wins this one easy.

I like both these amps I still prefer the Rega I like the British sounding HiFi equipment Rotel etc, Im really impressed with the Elacs. Im not a fan of Yamaha.

@DougMen1

2 жыл бұрын

Rotel is Japanese

Rega Brio 🏆 (Nad - unsortied chaotic phase)

brio live.

think edge goes to rega

The $480 NAD stomps all over the $1100 Brio, and it has tone and balance controls. As always, the brio lacks bass, highs, and dynamics.

@-x21-

Жыл бұрын

The Brio definitely doesn't lack dynamics. I have both amps. The midrange on the brio is definitely more refined. Listen to the midrange of the 2 and the difference becomes clear. That being said I still like nad for the value.

@sandyshoremann7524

Жыл бұрын

NAD didnt "stomp all over anything". Their power amps and integrated and receivers have always been dry and chalky and dynamically flat in the midrange. Had a few NADs starting in the 80's. Never kept them more than a week. Now APT amplifier One was a good unit. And Bryston. Otherwise it was a used NIkko or Pioneer for good sound on a budget in the 80's - the units designed before op amps ended up in the preamp stages,

@raygu1818

8 ай бұрын

​@@sandyshoremann7524 That's what I'm hearing from the NAD. It's not horrible but something is definitely missing. Maybe it's the speaker pairing but it does have a dry and chalky sound here.

@user-ll8xn9lx6n

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely AGREE!