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NAD 326 BEE shuts off at random. Any ideas?

68.33.86.113
Posted on June 9, 2013 at 17:23:53
ph5y


 
I recently bought a NAD 326BEE mail order. I'm pleased with the sound quality: it's full bodied and the bass seems more extended than that of the amp I was using before. However it has a habit of shutting off at random moments. Then I hit the On button on the remote and it comes back though often not for long! The amp runs hot even when there's no signal, but I never drive it hard. It shuts off even when cold. From googling I get the feeling that I am not alone. One person suggested the Sleep Timer might be the problem, though I'm thinking it's an error in the protection circuit. I'm wondering how many other people have experienced this.

I went to NAD's website but it looks like one of those deals where it's impossible to get a NAD employee to respond to you. The Internet provides companies with the ability to shield themselves from irate customers!

 

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You've hit on one potential problem - heat, posted on June 9, 2013 at 18:31:12
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13976
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 The other is, it's Chinese.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

Return it for refund! nt, posted on June 9, 2013 at 19:04:46
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

 

Will do but I'm wondering whether to exchange, posted on June 9, 2013 at 19:08:49
ph5y


 
Because I like the sound quality I'm tempted to just get a replacement unit but if this problem is common maybe I should move on. I notice a lot of refurbed 326BEEs on Audiogon and I'm wondering if these are units that were returned by people who had the same problem I did!

 

Is it an Integrated? Marantz has several at Low/Med Price, well reviewed., posted on June 9, 2013 at 19:21:13
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 What is the Retail Price of the Nad? Marantz $400+-, $600+-, $999,

 

Sounds like a bias problem on the output devices., posted on June 10, 2013 at 03:55:44
Opus 104
 I doubt it is a common issue. A replacement likely will be fine. What load is it seeing? 8 Ohms? 4 Ohms? Lower than 4?

 

It's Chinese . . . as are 80% of the integrateds on the market today. /nt\, posted on June 10, 2013 at 03:58:39
Opus 104

 

Return it. Buy some other brand because all of that bunch...., posted on June 10, 2013 at 05:13:31
Elizabeth
 SO you return it for another one which will be from the same batch with issues.
Forget it.
Buy some other brand and save yourself a lot of headaches.
It is true maybe it was just that one item.. but i'll bet the whole batch are all the same.. When they start letting QC slip.. it is a bad sign.
I would NOT buy another one from the same company at this time. Buy a Marantz as suggested.

 

RE: Will do but I'm wondering whether to exchange, posted on June 10, 2013 at 05:28:19
Blackdog
Manufacturer

Posts: 1505
Location: Ontario
Joined: March 20, 2006
 Your problem, and many different problems.
There is a lot of good gear out there, better than the NAD. Return it and move to something better.
Dan Santoni

 

I have 2 of these about, posted on June 10, 2013 at 06:01:50
Kloss
 Never had issues with them. Both are in near constant use in AV systems. I would think you have a defective NAD and should return for a new one.

 

"same batch with issues", posted on June 10, 2013 at 06:52:09
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Good Point!!

 

What load is it seeing? Another good point-I didn't think to ask that! nt, posted on June 10, 2013 at 07:07:24
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

 

RE: What load is it seeing? Another good point-I didn't think to ask that! nt, posted on June 10, 2013 at 07:54:28
ph5y


 
Good suggestion but unless there's a short I haven't found it's probably not the load. I say this because I have experienced the problem with two pairs of speakers, Dahlquist DQ12 and JR149, one of which was driven satisfactorily by both a 1970s HK receiver and a Marantz PM5004 budget integrated - which I returned because I thought it a little bright sounding. I like the tonal balance on the NAD. These speakers aren't the easiest load but they are in the 4 - 8 ohm range. The JRs have never caused problems with a variety of amps tho there's always a first time. I have two more pairs of speakers I could try it with. Thanks, PH

 

RE: I have 2 of these about, posted on June 10, 2013 at 08:00:06
ph5y


 
I guess they couldn't ALL be defective! But I suspect this problem is relatively common since several people have complained about it. Still I really like the sound of this model. Thank you for relaying your experience. That is encouraging.

 

Try this, posted on June 10, 2013 at 08:12:21
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Make sure you have it VERY well ventilated. NAD's generate a lot of heat, so that could be your problem. Do NOT attempt to fix it yourself.

NAD does make a good product, however they DO have a quality control problem. NAD's either work very well out of the box or they don't work!!!

I ALWAYS recommend you buy a NAD from a reputable dealer with a warrante. Because yes, quality control is not their strong point. Stop trying to call NAD directly and call the dealer that sold you the unit. A reputable dealer will either replace it or have you send it to a repair center (shipping paid for by them).

I've had a few NAD's over the years. A CDP that had a problem, they paid for a repair and shipping. And an amp that was "not right" that they replace straight out. (yes I corrected me awful grammar - proofing and spelling isn't my stronge suite either apparently).

charles

 

RE: Try this, posted on June 10, 2013 at 08:29:25
ph5y


 
Thanks for the input. I suspect you are right. I bought it from Crutchfield so I shouldn't have a problem returning it. This is only the second piece of electronics I've had problems with (apart from very old stuff). The other was an HK receiver that featured high current. I think the designers of 'budget audiophile' models take risks trying to build ambitious features into relatively low priced units.

 

RE: Try this, posted on June 10, 2013 at 08:54:20
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Crutchfield is great to deal with so you will have NO problems.

Try venting it first. If that doesn't work call and they will replace it very quickly. That was what they did with my NAD C275BEE. They sent me a second new amp, so I had two NAD C275BEE's at one time. Turned out I was doing something wrong and it wasn't the amp (stupid me). But they did honor their warrante with no hassels!!!!

I also have that model, the NAD C326BEE for my second system - excellent!!!!

Is it going into protection mode with the red light of kind of muting?????

charles

 

RE: Try this, posted on June 10, 2013 at 09:27:12
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37666
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 NAD's generate a lot of heat, so that could be your problem.

The top of my C-160 preamp gets hotter than the Threshold power amp it feeds! It is situated in an open space with nothing above it.

 

Mine does not get particularily hot, posted on June 10, 2013 at 11:39:58
lancelot
Audiophile

Posts: 1722
Joined: March 23, 2001
Mine drives 87db 4 ohm speakers ( I don't tend to listen at very high levels most of the time ) and gets what I would call warm to very warm.

I'm using my hand placed on the top panel after being on for a hour or two as my indicator. It's situated on the bottom of a rack with plenty of space between it and the next shelf up.

You really do need, IMO, to return it. IMO, it is a very high value for money amp. I would try another one.

 

RE: Try this, posted on June 10, 2013 at 14:22:21
ph5y


 
Thank you for your post. It's well ventilated except underneath so I'll raise it up a bit. No, the light doesn't flash. It just shuts off which means the light goes from blue to amber. Then I turn it on again and it goes for awhile - maybe five seconds, maybe hours, and shuts off again. So it seems like a random malfunction but like I say it feels hot even when there's no signal. I read on the Amazon website that this model has heat issues, but I didn't worry about it because a lot of 'audiophile' models tend to run hot. I guess they're like 'hot rods'!

 

RE: Try this, posted on June 10, 2013 at 14:49:10
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 It needs ventilation on top only.So I think you have a defective unit. Crutchfield will send one out today if you call them.

Mine worked right out of the box with no problems.

Good luck and don't worry - They are good amps!!!

charles

 

RE: Mine does not get particularily hot, posted on June 10, 2013 at 15:28:05
ph5y


 
Thanks for your comment. There's hot and there's HOT. The NAD runs hotter than other integrateds I recall but not too hot to touch. I don't drive it very hard either. I agree that it is a good value. I'm just wondering whether to exercise my exchange privilege. Crutchfield has other amps in the same price range but since I like the sound of this one I'm not crazy about the idea of switching. I was just wondering whether everyone would say 'The 326 is famous for that -- didn't you know?'

 

80% of components currently on market are not worth having, posted on June 10, 2013 at 19:33:44
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13976
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 Only a tiny fraction of quality components merit serious consideration.
And none of them are Chinese.

IMHO, of course ...

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

RE: NAD 326 BEE shuts off at random. Any ideas?, posted on June 10, 2013 at 21:56:35
lowrider75
Audiophile

Posts: 55
Location: philly
Joined: January 26, 2012
 Since the dealer is Crutchfield and you like the amp, it makes sense to exchange it. Don't assume the entire batch is defective.

 

RE: NAD 326 BEE shuts off at random. Any ideas?, posted on June 11, 2013 at 09:12:28
boodyace@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 7
Joined: September 16, 2011
 I have the c355bee for several years now no problems great value for the money in my second system now very robust was driving mag. 1.6 qr for awhile I would get another one

 

RE: Mine does not get particularily hot, posted on June 11, 2013 at 09:23:23
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 No, I don't think there are any "bugs" that are unique to the 326. If you get a working one it is a great sounding amp, and will last a long time. I like NAD, but I always recommend buying from a reputable dealer due to their poor quality control problems. Luckily it either works great or it doesn't.

I don't think you can do better for the money. Even double the money.

Enjoy it's a great sounding amp. And I've had a lot of gear!!!!

charles

 

RE: NAD 326 BEE shuts off at random. Any ideas?, posted on June 11, 2013 at 15:17:00
jowillia


 
Might check your speaker cables to make sure there are no connection problems.

I think you should exchange it for another of the same model.

Good luck and good listening!

 

Great suggestion, posted on June 11, 2013 at 16:06:14
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37666
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Sometimes less than ideal connections can cause issues.

 

RE: NAD 326 BEE shuts off at random. Any ideas?, posted on June 15, 2013 at 07:43:06
jdmcderm
 I have a C275BEE that was doing the same thing...running extremely hot and randomly shutting down. My speakers are bi-wired and I have a powered sub crossed over at the amp (so 2 stereo sets of spades and 1 stereo set of bananas). I thought my connections were fine, but had to tear the system apart one day and rewired everything (with the same wire). The only change i made when rewiring was to separate the bi-wires to use both sets of binding posts. Not sure if it was this, incorrect wiring or a short (those binding posts are very close together) that had caused the issue but the problem disappeared after the rewire and the amp sounds much more open.

Hope that helps and you are able to find the problem.

Cheers,
Jason

 

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