Hey.
I would have an opportunity to purchase good second hand equipment. Contestants are NAD 7140 with tuner section vs 315bee no tuner.
So, these are approximately at equal power output.
The bee would come with remote.
I would like to think the older 7140 is better design and more stable in terms of design and components, but have no idea whatsoever.
Which one should I get in terms of sound quality? Are there anything to be noted, except the other is 30 years old, probably soon to be recapped and the other is 7 years old maybe and service free years ahead.
Any comments are appreciated.
I would have an opportunity to purchase good second hand equipment. Contestants are NAD 7140 with tuner section vs 315bee no tuner.
So, these are approximately at equal power output.
The bee would come with remote.
I would like to think the older 7140 is better design and more stable in terms of design and components, but have no idea whatsoever.
Which one should I get in terms of sound quality? Are there anything to be noted, except the other is 30 years old, probably soon to be recapped and the other is 7 years old maybe and service free years ahead.
Any comments are appreciated.
The C-315BEE uses a really dumb way of implementing "standby" - it does not really turn off at all, idling away at over 20 watts. To top that off, the "real" power switch is conveniently hidden at the back of the unit. Needless to say, they had to come up with a new model (C-316BEE) when EU standby power regulations kicked in...
The old 7140 looks like a decent enough if moderately idiosyncratic piece of kit. Given NAD's parts quality in those days, a recap (and checking resistor values, looks like loads of carbon comps) probably wouldn't be a bad idea indeed.
The old 7140 looks like a decent enough if moderately idiosyncratic piece of kit. Given NAD's parts quality in those days, a recap (and checking resistor values, looks like loads of carbon comps) probably wouldn't be a bad idea indeed.
On the good side of the C315BEE, there are a couple of practical design changes from earlier budget models like the 7140 and the endless
3020 family:
1. PE (power envelope) technology - a crude but effective (lightbulb power limiter) way of safely getting a bit more peak output from a single pair of output devices.
2. Commonplace semiconductors which are still available from genuine sources, for the power amp - the most likely failure area. e.g. 2SC5200/A1943 complementary output pair.
I won't try to compare sound quality because this is an individual assessment with as many opinions as there are retail owners and audio systems. Even so, unless I was a frequent radio user, for reputation and reliability reasons I wouldn't hesitate to choose the newer 315.
3020 family:
1. PE (power envelope) technology - a crude but effective (lightbulb power limiter) way of safely getting a bit more peak output from a single pair of output devices.
2. Commonplace semiconductors which are still available from genuine sources, for the power amp - the most likely failure area. e.g. 2SC5200/A1943 complementary output pair.
I won't try to compare sound quality because this is an individual assessment with as many opinions as there are retail owners and audio systems. Even so, unless I was a frequent radio user, for reputation and reliability reasons I wouldn't hesitate to choose the newer 315.
Thanks for the input.
Initially after seeing pics of C-315bee I thought why the power switch is located back there.
You know that would effectively restrict placing the unit to the narrow space. Anyway the unit wouldn't be my main audio gear, so I don't mind. 🙂
As I was reading on about older NAD gear, discovered that 3020 unit (maybe the whole family) actually benefited from circuit design flaw.
Browsing more different topics it appears the components on the older NAD gear are not the top line actually.
As it can be seen from the replies here as well. You often get to think the new electronics are not made to last.
I'm way too biased.
Anyway, I'm more convinced, as this is individual opinion and how each person perceives music, it could be roughly about older gear being better suited for music sourced from turntable or older records with certain recording style. I have plans to use the amp to play music from digital source maybe cd disc player and I prefer mostly music from the 80s.
Of course the price tag for 7140 is say third less than for 315bee and discussing the details of both it seems, there are minor flaws present in the 7140 unit (yeah it's old!) plus I should consider recapping, which would double the price, soo I'm better off with 315bee.
Some people feel bad from the inside. They cry out sometimes.
Thanks, I knew I could trust this forum.
Initially after seeing pics of C-315bee I thought why the power switch is located back there.
You know that would effectively restrict placing the unit to the narrow space. Anyway the unit wouldn't be my main audio gear, so I don't mind. 🙂
As I was reading on about older NAD gear, discovered that 3020 unit (maybe the whole family) actually benefited from circuit design flaw.
Browsing more different topics it appears the components on the older NAD gear are not the top line actually.
As it can be seen from the replies here as well. You often get to think the new electronics are not made to last.
I'm way too biased.
Anyway, I'm more convinced, as this is individual opinion and how each person perceives music, it could be roughly about older gear being better suited for music sourced from turntable or older records with certain recording style. I have plans to use the amp to play music from digital source maybe cd disc player and I prefer mostly music from the 80s.
Of course the price tag for 7140 is say third less than for 315bee and discussing the details of both it seems, there are minor flaws present in the 7140 unit (yeah it's old!) plus I should consider recapping, which would double the price, soo I'm better off with 315bee.
That's a killer!
Some people feel bad from the inside. They cry out sometimes.
Thanks, I knew I could trust this forum.
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