NAD 2200 Vintage Amplifier Review

[restorer-john]

I ended up drill out the tips a little larger to stop the clogs.

Unclogging is a pain isn't it? especially when you need the bast#rd thing to be hot to unclog it. I have a drill bit that is a perfect fit and if I get a really nasty clog that the highest temp won't melt, I'll dismantle the thing and carefully get the clog out. Not a fun job.

Another tip (no pun intended) is using them horizontally where possible and forcing yourself to keep the suction on for a second after each desoldered joint. That means the particles of solder cool from the suction and set. Vertically means the solder drops back onto the opening in the end of the iron tube and melts over the hole near the chamber where it sets like a mongrel. And, if the suction is not quite as good- stop and clean it there and then. Otherwise you pay the penalty with a clog.

Unless I'm doing more than 100 joints, the manual ones are still goto for me.

 

[restorer-john]

So does that make me a crusty old tech too, passing on the hints that were passed on to me?

 

[Doodski]

So does that make me a crusty old tech too, passing on the hints that were passed on to me?

I say it makes you a enthusiast.

 

[pjug]

On clearing thru holes, anyone else have a talent for blowing them out with a little burst of air through your human lips? My old boss taught me this trick. Maybe it is well known? I've done this once in a while out of laziness and so far never burnt my lips with the iron.

 

[amirm]

On clearing thru holes, anyone else have a talent for blowing them out with a little burst of air through your human lips?

I have done that in a pinch.

 

[pjug]

I have done that in a pinch.

Well my boss was from Coeur d'Alene so I am not surprised. That must be how you do it in the Northwest.

 

[amirm]

Well my boss was from Coeur d'Alene so I am not surprised. That must be how you do it in the Northwest.

Nah, that was decades ago when I lived in Florida.

 

[pjug]

Nah, that was decades ago when I lived in Florida.

I thought the FL way was to sniff the solder through a rolled up $20 bill.
[I lose a lot of points for this joke for being so slow]

 

[DualTriode]

Hello,

I used the Engineer solder sucker today and removed the relay in one piece. The contacts in the relay were moderately scared up, more on one side than the other. The new relay is going in as I press the keyboard keys.

While the PCB was out of the amplifier I noticed that one of the power supply capacitors has been leaking secret sauce. Now I have six new Capacitors on their way from Mouser.

The amplifier will go back together. We will see if there is an improvement in sound, SINAD and FFT. Scratch that I have never had this amplifier connected to speakers, only a analyzer. One channel was noisy, the SINAD was also low on that channel, plus the sound floor was elevated on that channel.

Thanks DT

 

[DaveM]

On clearing thru holes, anyone else have a talent for blowing them out with a little burst of air through your human lips? My old boss taught me this trick. Maybe it is well known? I've done this once in a while out of laziness and so far never burnt my lips with the iron.

Well my boss was from Coeur d'Alene so I am not surprised. That must be how you do it in the Northwest.

Ever consider writing porno scripts in Los Angeles?

 

[EJ3]

Hello,

I used the Engineer solder sucker today and removed the relay in one piece. The contacts in the relay were moderately scared up, more on one side than the other. The new relay is going in as I press the keyboard keys.

While the PCB was out of the amplifier I noticed that one of the power supply capacitors has been leaking secret sauce. Now I have six new Capacitors on their way from Mouser.

The amplifier will go back together. We will see if there is an improvement in sound, SINAD and FFT. Scratch that I have never had this amplifier connected to speakers, only a analyzer. One channel was noisy, the SINAD was also low on that channel, plus the sound floor was elevated on that channel.

Thanks DT

View attachment 71547

As you are doing this because you noticed that the "secret sauce" is coming out, before the smoke gets let out of the system & the "magic" goes away, you fix what is going on. My NAD 2200 identical triplets have been in Peter's (QuirkAudio in California) hands twice over the years for general check-ups, repairs, updates & mods (all identical of course) as has other equipment of mine. I also use Vince (AudioProz) in Massachusetts for the same purposes. (you can also buy used & refurbished gear from both but Vince has a much larger selection & parts) Most of my gear is from the 70's to the 90's with some modern things (ex.: oppo 205). None of it has ever been 100% down due to an electrical/electronic failure. After 30 years or so of working fine, it's time to put them through an occasional checkup. To find & repair things before the smoke comes out and the magic goes away. I am one of the anachronistic "Shabbily Arrogant" who repair, reuse, re-purpose (it is rare that I buy new products because my old ones work fine: cars, electronics, etc)

 

[Instrumental]

I hope some of you with knowledge of the NAD family tree can explain where the closest
relatives to my NAD 3400 can be found. Maybe it will get a second chance and be restored
to it's former glory if it can be anything like the 2200 shown in this test. It has been used
as an emergency amp so far, avoiding the horrible silence when my main amp has been
hospitalised. My 3400 is in really good overall condition but suffers some old age ailments and
curing those can fill the time in "solitary confinement". Got plenty of tools and instruments
(from the once glorious telecom industry) that was sold for nickels and dimes when it moved
to foreign lands in the east. Weller and Pace soldering/desoldering for instance.

Seeing tests like this one made my engineering brain cell very happy, a couple of decades
in high-tech industries makes me allergic to things like "audio cable burn in". The brain cell
in the other lobe loves music and will also appreciate any contribution from this forum
that allows the show to go on.

 

[EJ3]

I hope some of you with knowledge of the NAD family tree can explain where the closest
relatives to my NAD 3400 can be found. Maybe it will get a second chance and be restored
to it's former glory if it can be anything like the 2200 shown in this test. It has been used
as an emergency amp so far, avoiding the horrible silence when my main amp has been
hospitalised. My 3400 is in really good overall condition but suffers some old age ailments and
curing those can fill the time in "solitary confinement". Got plenty of tools and instruments
(from the once glorious telecom industry) that was sold for nickels and dimes when it moved
to foreign lands in the east. Weller and Pace soldering/desoldering for instance.

Seeing tests like this one made my engineering brain cell very happy, a couple of decades
in high-tech industries makes me allergic to things like "audio cable burn in". The brain cell
in the other lobe loves music and will also appreciate any contribution from this forum
that allows the show to go on.

NAD 3400
Stereo Integrated Amplifier (1985-89)
add a review

Specifications
Power output: 100 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 3Hz to 100kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.03%
Damping factor: 100
Input sensitivity: 0.5mV (MC), 5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 78dB (MC), 80dB (MM), 96dB (line)
Output: 150mV (line)
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)
Dimensions: 435 x 120 x 385mm
Weight: 11kg
Year: 1985

 

[EJ3]

I hope some of you with knowledge of the NAD family tree can explain where the closest
relatives to my NAD 3400 can be found. Maybe it will get a second chance and be restored
to it's former glory if it can be anything like the 2200 shown in this test. It has been used
as an emergency amp so far, avoiding the horrible silence when my main amp has been
hospitalised. My 3400 is in really good overall condition but suffers some old age ailments and
curing those can fill the time in "solitary confinement". Got plenty of tools and instruments
(from the once glorious telecom industry) that was sold for nickels and dimes when it moved
to foreign lands in the east. Weller and Pace soldering/desoldering for instance.

Seeing tests like this one made my engineering brain cell very happy, a couple of decades
in high-tech industries makes me allergic to things like "audio cable burn in". The brain cell
in the other lobe loves music and will also appreciate any contribution from this forum
that allows the show to go on.

 

[Instrumental]

That document was exactly what I was hoping for,
all the details summed up on a few pages.

So in NAD-math 1300 + 2400 = 3400

I'm really grateful for the information you provided EJ3!
Now I can plan for a total overhaul, this thread has shown
my amp is worth to be properly restored. The advantage
of being retired is that you never run out of time, new
days appear automagically and you have full control over
the agenda.

 

[EJ3]

That document was exactly what I was hoping for,
all the details summed up on a few pages.

So in NAD-math 1300 + 2400 = 3400

I'm really grateful for the information you provided EJ3!
Now I can plan for a total overhaul, this thread has shown
my amp is worth to be properly restored. The advantage
of being retired is that you never run out of time, new
days appear automagically and you have full control over
the agenda.

From Peter at Quirk Audio: "There is also the 2100 and 2400, which share a common layout and design, though they were much more cost consciously focused on a price point, being good value, but not as well designed and made as the 2200/2600/2700 series." I once had him involved in doing a pair of 2100's for me, which turned out great but was NOT a cost effective project. The 2100's where a trade for some work that I had done on someone's car (the NAD 1600 Pre-Amp Tuner that came with this deal was worthwhile). I would never ask Peter to work on 2100's (or 2400's) again. My opinion on those is "if they work, play them, if you are retired & have time & patience, they are definitely a project (and can turn out very good)" But for me, they are not worth the effort.

 

[Angsty]

The 2100's where a trade for some work that I had done on someone's car (the NAD 1600 Pre-Amp Tuner that came with this deal was worthwhile).

I have a NAD 1600 that I use daily and I love it. It performs as well as I need and invokes great nostalgia. But, it’s probably time to send it to Peter for a checkup to keep it going strong.

 

[EJ3]

I have a NAD 1600 that I use daily and I love it. It performs as well as I need and invokes great nostalgia. But, it’s probably time to send it to Peter for a checkup to keep it going strong.

Depending on where you are in the Southeastern U.S. (I have sent various pieces of equipment to Peter at Quirk Audio (Berkeley, CA) and Vince (AudioProz Watertown, Mass.) from all over the world. I am currently in James Island, SC. I have had great results with each. And learned much from both of them. You cannot go wrong with either of them. My 1600 had severe issues and I sent it to Vince. It turned out to be more broken than I had suspected and Vince fixed some pretty severe issues. (fractured boards, etc.). Peter has done my triplet 2200's (more than once). Vince & then Peter have both modded one of my APT/Holman Pre-Amps (there is a synergy to both their mods together). Both have back logs. I would contact them both and go with which ever one can get to it it back to you quicker.
EJ3

 

[Angsty]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[murraycamp]

Just bought a 2200 on eBay for $350 and it should be on Peter's bench soon. I will circle back around with an update when I get the unit. Peter's been great to deal with BTW.