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Processor Choices. Mcintosh NAD

184.13.27.52
Posted on November 22, 2015 at 14:10:30
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 Im buying a new processor. I am down to the NAD M17 and Mcintosh 121.

The NAD will support HDMI 2.0 with an upgrade card in the future. The Mcintosh will not and never will. That could have implications a couple years down the road.

The Mcintosh has a lot of Marantz parts in it. The OSD is Marantz 7005. The remote is Marantz. It almost seems like its counterfeit Mcintosh. Reviews say that its built like a true Mac though.

I have no need for room correction or Atmos. This will be used for music 90% of the time. Bells and whistles are secondary to music performance.

Any last minute thoughts are appreciated.

 

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Music.............., posted on November 22, 2015 at 15:28:01
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12436
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002
 from what sources and in what formats?

 

RE: Processor Choices. Mcintosh NAD, posted on November 22, 2015 at 22:25:07
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 I bought a NAD silverline CD player that was planned to be "upgradeable".

The upgrade was what we call "vaporware" or "promiseware". It never happened, and never will.

NAD has demonstrated that they promise upgrades that they never deliver.

something to think about when you are reading brochures...

 

Go with the Marantz, posted on November 23, 2015 at 06:18:22
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I've been using the Marantz NA-7004 for about three years. Newer model now available. It's one of the best audio purchases I've made. One were you're completely happy and not wishing you went with something else.

Brief review:

Excellent sounding for streaming and as a DAC.

Plenty of input types

Very cool looking. Simple setup - DON'T underestimate that!!!!!

Hard wired which I prefer. The wireless ones ALWAYS drops out then you need to start reentering codes and crap. I just want it on and playing music without a hassle. the newer model may have a wireless option - go wired.

Marantz's help line was VERY helpful and quick to respond. The problem I had was with the amp not the streamer. But Marantz does have polite, helpful, knowledgeable quick tech support.

The NAD I found was difficult and just pissed me off. I took advantage of the 30 refund and sent it back.

 

RE: Music.............., posted on November 23, 2015 at 11:33:52
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 Well,
Blu Ray via filthy HDMI.
PC via optical spdif.
A DVD changer via analog/rgb.

 

Marantz NA-7004 is a stereo network audio player., posted on November 23, 2015 at 14:02:51
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12436
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002
 No multichannel.
No DVD/BD playback via HDMI

 

Ouch - missed the topic didn't I, posted on November 23, 2015 at 16:19:57
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Sorry. I got caught up in the streaming idea and not the 7.1 setup

thanks for pointing that out.

charles

 

RE: Processor Choices. Mcintosh NAD, posted on November 23, 2015 at 18:30:51
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 Whi is the Marantz ruled out, the 8801 is excellent. I still use a 8003 and have no issues.

This is just my experience and opinion, FWIW. When looking for processors in the past I compared a Mac to an Anthem AVM20, then about half the price, the Anthem was better. The Mac set up sounded sort of wooley by comparison. I've heard NAD processors, they sounded good but I've had no hands on experience.

To get features, service & the performance I'd urge you to look at the Marantz for great bang for the buck. There's a new 11.2 unit that replaces the 8801 but I forgot the model number.

If wanting to spend Mac level money you may want to consider the Classe or Anthem D1. However, the "high end" products struggle to keep up and offer the cutting edge features like Marantz. Marantz are large enough to have the funds and resources to keep up while offering a high quality product.

 

RE: Processor Choices. Mcintosh NAD, posted on November 23, 2015 at 23:54:36
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 Good advice.
I have a friend using a Marantz 8801 to run his Tyler Acoustics speakers. It performs very well. I think my NAD Master has it beat on 2 channel performance.

I had the Anthem avm50. It was so full of bugs I gave up on it and sent to Anthem for them to keep. Its sound quality was slightly inferior to my NAD 163 but significantly inferior to my NAD Master M15.

Classe is a good suggestion too but the price tag is quite a bit higher than the others we are talking about here.

The upgrade chip for the nad M17 is going to be $600. Its either that or the HDfury device.

Mcintosh.... Mcintosh. Beautiful. Smooth. Marantz remote......... Marantz internals.......

 

RE: Processor Choices. Mcintosh NAD, posted on November 24, 2015 at 05:01:01
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 Good to know,wasn't aware of the Anthem QC issues.

 

RE: Processor Choices. Mcintosh NAD, posted on November 24, 2015 at 06:13:16
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Two channel is a different beast. So try not to equate x.1 with 2 channel stereo. It's like trying to do the reverse - not built for it.

After 30+ years of farting around with audio I keep hearing the same thing over and over again when it comes to McIntosh - LOOKS.

If you want looks go with the Mac. If you want something that sounds good go with the Marantz.

NAD is also a taste type brand. I vacillate between love and lukewarm. I like their amps and sources (limited exposure) but I'm not crazy about their preamps. But in fairness I like McIntosh's preamps and don't like their amps.

 

RE: Processor Choices, Mcintosh, NAD, posted on November 24, 2015 at 11:55:52
Alex F.
Audiophile

Posts: 877
Location: Florida
Joined: February 29, 2004
 My understanding is that McIntosh's former owners, D&M Holdings (now D+M Group), had Marantz and McIntosh share operational firmware only. But McIntosh's internals were solely McIntosh and, as usual, designed and manufactured in Binghamton, New York.

In mid-2014 McIntosh became part of Fine Sounds, owners of Audio Research, Wadia, Sumiko, and Sonus Faber.

 

RE: Processor Choices, Mcintosh, NAD, posted on November 24, 2015 at 12:39:05
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 The personality of the sound is still Mcintosh. I guess that is all that matters.

Im just wondering if I can live with the Marantz remote. Will it instill the feeling of "counterfeit" within me?. IDK.

 

RE: Processor Choices, Mcintosh, NAD, posted on November 24, 2015 at 14:09:03
Alex F.
Audiophile

Posts: 877
Location: Florida
Joined: February 29, 2004
 It would not matter to me what firmware or remote is used. The design and construction plus inside and outside components are all McIntosh. If you go McIntosh you will have to somehow live with the brand's smooth, clean, and natural (unhyped) sound.

It is possible that Marantz is using McIntosh's remote.

I use a universal remote with my McIntosh integrated amp. The remote provides control for all the other components in my music room. I haven't seen my McIntosh remote in a long time.

 

Just get a Oppo 105, and add your favorite ....., posted on November 24, 2015 at 15:35:54
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1482
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since: August 3, 2002
 Two channel preamp with HT bypass. That way you have your dedicated pure two channel, and your processor, DAC, and CD player, streamer, all in the Oppo when you need it.


 

RE: Just get a Oppo 105, and add your favorite ....., posted on November 24, 2015 at 17:04:38
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 I kick myself for not getting the oppo.
I bought an integra with RGB and multi channel audio out.
It Doesnt play sacd and downscales HD to 480 when using RGB with BD.

Aggravating.

 

RE: Just get a Oppo 105, and add your favorite ....., posted on November 24, 2015 at 18:36:14
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1482
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since: August 3, 2002
 Its not too late, put the Integra on eBay and give yourself a nice Christmas present.

AB

 

RE: Just get a Oppo 105, and add your favorite ....., posted on November 25, 2015 at 01:01:22
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 Good advice.
We should all abandon HDMI/HDCP and let it fail.
They have cost us a lot of dollars and headaches to conform to their BS.

 

RE: Music.............., posted on November 26, 2015 at 19:34:28
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1879
Joined: April 14, 2009
 Hmm Been MY experiences over several decades that Simple Stoopid NAD is "better' than 80% of the Gear out there.
Whether it's equal or superior than Macintosh? Dunno.
But given your sources it's IMO seriously Unlikely there will be tangible SQ differences. Pick one :-)

 

RE: Go with the Marantz, posted on November 27, 2015 at 06:22:57
witchdoctor1
Audiophile

Posts: 40
Location: NYC
Joined: March 9, 2003
 This is very helpful. I see this online for $399, thanks

 

RE: Music.............., posted on November 27, 2015 at 15:59:31
Broadcast Storm
Audiophile

Posts: 59
Joined: February 3, 2014
 Sometimes less is more. I have used NAD for a long time and it has served me well. Thats why it stays on the radar even when considering Mcintosh.

 

RE: Music.............., posted on December 6, 2015 at 20:01:37
Steve.
Audiophile

Posts: 250
Location: East Coast
Joined: July 2, 2007
 i saw your post and had to comment on NAD......I have their M51 DAC and it is the best sounding source component I've ever owned..... They have had several updates that were easily done via a USB stick. They fixed a couple of issues and added a feature to darken the display after 15 min of no IR commands.... I think they have done a good job of refining and supporting it so far.....any company can drop the ball on support/ updates, sometimes it's their fault but sometimes they are limited by hardware restrictions or technology just goes in a different direction

 

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