NAD C 298 Power Amplifier With Purifi Eigentakt Amplification

[Svend P]

To elaborate, the preamp section of the 375BEE is possibly noisier and more distorting than the amplifier section, if my experience with the C272 is an indicator. You may get better audible performance using a lower THD+N preamp with the 375BEE amplifier section.

Why would you think any of that is audible?

 

[pablolie]

Why would you think any of that is audible?

The 375bee is pretty capable as an amp too. So the question is if you'd hear a difference anyhow no matter what you use to feed into the Purifi amp.

 

[Head_Unit]

Would I get profit by adding C298 as power amp to my 375Bee as preamp?

The 4 ohm power rating is double, so *maybe* you get a couple clicks more volume. If I felt I needed more power I'd want one of the big amps, like 500+ watts into 4 ohms.

 

[pogo]

Would I get profit by adding C298 as power amp to my 375Bee as preamp?

That would actually be expected. Do you only want to use one C298 or two in bridge mode?

 

[Fa11en.Universe]

That would actually be expected. Do you only want to use one C298 or two in bridge mode?

I'm going to use only one C298 as power amp and then, I'll buy better preamp for it next.
However, I like my NAD 375Bee input options.

 

[Angsty]

Why would you think any of that is audible?

The preamp section of the C375BEE has some specs that are on the edge of being audibly differentiable. It may or may not be audible depending on the rest of the audio environment. Nonetheless, I would not recommend replacing the audio amplifier section with the C298 to get better performance. The preamp section would be less transparent and the C375BEE amplifier specs are not meaningfully different. If the member likes the input options, just keep the whole kit.

https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Data-Sheet-C-375BEE-Integrated-Amplifier-1.pdf

https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/C-298-Data-Sheet-final-Accessible.pdf

 

[Fa11en.Universe]

The preamp section of the C375BEE has some specs that are on the edge of being audibly differentiable. It may or may not be audible depending on the rest of the audio environment. Nonetheless, I would not recommend replacing the audio amplifier section with the C298 to get better performance. The preamp section would be less transparent and the C375BEE amplifier specs are not meaningfully different. If the member likes the input options, just keep the whole kit.

https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Data-Sheet-C-375BEE-Integrated-Amplifier-1.pdf

https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/C-298-Data-Sheet-final-Accessible.pdf

Thanks for your advice. I don't want to sell my 375Bee, because I've got several audio setups, where I can move 375.
Anyway, I think It's time to upgrade my main setup to something better. I'm also looking at NAD 399.
Could it be a better way to move after my 375Bee?
Or should I stick with 298 and any of the standalone pre amps?

 

[Angsty]

Thanks for your advice. I don't want to sell my 375Bee, because I've got several audio setups, where I can move 375.
Anyway, I think It's time to upgrade my main setup to something better. I'm also looking at NAD 399.
Could it be a better way to move after my 375Bee?
Or should I stick with 298 and any of the standalone pre amps?

My point is that the C298 is not better than the C375BEE performance-wise. Getting a separate pre-amp with the C298 will yield measurable benefits only if the pre-amp is very transparent (like the Benchmark models), but the difference may not be audible. What type of inputs are you using?

 

[pogo]

I'm also looking at NAD 399.

That would be a modern upgrade, especially with regard to Dirac Live (optional with BluOS).
Personally, I would go for a newer platform, i.e. the Bluesound Node Icon with Dirac Live. Add a Purifi power amplifier and you are fine.
You get the better DAC and power amp section compared to the C399.