This is a review and detailed measurements of the NAD PP2e phono stage/preamplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $219 (on sale for $197).
As you see, there is not much to the box or the front panel. It only has a power button. The back side exposes the control for moving magnet vs moving coil cartridge input:
The externa dc power supply is rated at 24 volts @100 ma.
NAD PP 2e Measurements
Let's start with moving magnet input:
The major contributor to low SINAD is 120 Hz and harmonics which is from the power supply. I wanted to test with my lab supply but it uses a very uncommon connector so could not. Going with what we have, ranking is well below average:
Taking out noise, we see that distortion by itself is respectable:
Moving coil naturally lowers SINAD score due to higher gain/noise:
Here we have some ground loop noise but I could not reduce it beyond what you see.
I was very pleased with the very accurate RIAA equalization:
Another positive is same clipping point regardless of frequency:
I do like to see 100mv before clipping though.
Once again taking out noise and just looking at distortion, is quite good:
Conclusions
We have a simple device that seems to do the job with one glaring issue: power supply noise. Why or why that was not taken care of? Overall performance would have improved a good bit.
I am left not being able to recommend the NAD PP 2e even though I wanted to.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
As you see, there is not much to the box or the front panel. It only has a power button. The back side exposes the control for moving magnet vs moving coil cartridge input:
The externa dc power supply is rated at 24 volts @100 ma.
NAD PP 2e Measurements
Let's start with moving magnet input:
The major contributor to low SINAD is 120 Hz and harmonics which is from the power supply. I wanted to test with my lab supply but it uses a very uncommon connector so could not. Going with what we have, ranking is well below average:
Taking out noise, we see that distortion by itself is respectable:
Moving coil naturally lowers SINAD score due to higher gain/noise:
Here we have some ground loop noise but I could not reduce it beyond what you see.
I was very pleased with the very accurate RIAA equalization:
Another positive is same clipping point regardless of frequency:
I do like to see 100mv before clipping though.
Once again taking out noise and just looking at distortion, is quite good:
Conclusions
We have a simple device that seems to do the job with one glaring issue: power supply noise. Why or why that was not taken care of? Overall performance would have improved a good bit.
I am left not being able to recommend the NAD PP 2e even though I wanted to.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/