old Nad 3155

[garymck]

Hi,
I'm just getting back into HiFi after a very long hiatus. I've just unpacked my old amp - an Nad 3155. In its day it was well regarded. In todays terms is it worthwhile to keep, or should I replace it? It's the only part of a sytem that comprised a Linn Sondek LP12/Grace G707/Dynavector 10x, Nad 3155, and Rotel RL 850 speakers, that survived the usual marital disaster years ago. At this point I am not in a position to spend lottsa $, so was hoping that this amp could, at least in the short term provide a reasonable basis for a starter system.

cheers
Gary

[sreten]

Hi,

I regard it as an excellent amplifier for a starter system, especially
if you are considering vinyl, evenmoreso for moving coil cartridges.

As this is DiyAudio you could tart it up a bit - contact cleaning and
replacement modern electrolytics throughout should improve things.

Anyway partnered with a half decent CD player (secondhand Arcam ?)
and good second-hand (or self built) speakers it should sound fine.

/sreten.

[garymck]

Originally posted by sreten
Hi,

I regard it as an excellent amplifier for a starter system, especially
if you are considering vinyl, evenmoreso for moving coil cartridges.

As this is DiyAudio you could tart it up a bit - contact cleaning and
replacement modern electrolytics throughout should improve things.

Anyway partnered with a half decent CD player (secondhand Arcam ?)
and good second-hand (or self built) speakers it should sound fine.

/sreten.

Hi sreten,

thanks for the reply, what sort of electrolytics would be suitable - any sound better than others?

cheers
Gary

[sreten]

Hi,

I'm not very up to date on Electrolytics for audio coupling.

However the advent of SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supplies) has
certainly improved power supply electrolytics since the amplifier
was made.
You want "low-Z" "low-loss" "low inductance" "low ESR" or some
other buzzword types.

Only do this if you are very keen on messing around with
your amplifier and also know exactly what you are doing.


/sreten.

[WhyZed]

I have this amp, it is a great piece that has pounded out tunes daily for literally decades.
It’s duties today rock a pair of Rogers LS7’s in the garage. It is paired with a Luxman 130W amp and an electronic crossover driving 2 home built 12” subs (big garage).

I’m having troubles with a NAD 304 I own, the wife says to chuck it and get another. If I saw a 3155 on a used rack I’d buy it. It has been very good to me.

[planet10]

The 3155 is a decent little amp (probably not quite as good as a 3140). You can mod it with good results. Beefing up the PS elcos and bypassing them, and replacing some critical coupling caps with polys can make a difference. Power switches & volume controls on these tend to die.

Probably not worthwhile to go crazy on it. It also has separable pre/power which means you can start diying your own bits and use it as a pre, a power, or even just a phono-pre. When i was selling these (NAD amps as a class), quite a few people would add another amp & bi-amp.

dave

[cel4145]

FYI: I'm the original owner of a 3155. It's been great to me. For the last five years, I've been using it to power an NHT sub.

[Zimmerj]

I'm obviously years late to this discussion, but in the off chance anyone is still following the thread, I thought I'd pose a question.

I'm upgrading my home audio system to a new a/v receiver and no longer have a phono input. I'm looking for a preamp, and with all of my other upgrades, need to be tight on spending. I've come across a 3155 for $50 used. How would this compare to a dedicated phono pre, such as the NAD-PP1, or other similarly priced preamps. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[sreten]

Audio Technica AT-PEQ3 phono preamp,Audio Technica AT PEQ3 phono preamp,Audio Technica ATPEQ3 phono preamp



Hi, would be fine, but the above takes up less real estate, same price area, rgds, sreten.