Arcam Solo vs NAD separates
 

Posted this question last week but no responses. :c( So on the
off-chance that someone has an opinion...

I currently have a NAD C320BEE amp, C521BEE CD player and C422 tuner
powering some Kef Q1 speakers. Very nice setup, good sound, fantastic
speakers.
Unfortunately space is going to become a major issue, so I'm
considering trading in the NAD separates for an Arcam Solo to run the
same speakers.

What's the difference in sound going to be like? Arcam say
(unsurprisingly) that the Solo is better than similarly priced
separates, What HiFi says (unsurprisingly) that it separates will sound
better. Anyone had any experience of comparing the two?

Thanks
Nick

Arcam Solo vs NAD separates
 

"NickD" wrote in message
ps.com...
Posted this question last week but no responses. :c( So on the
off-chance that someone has an opinion...

I currently have a NAD C320BEE amp, C521BEE CD player and C422 tuner
powering some Kef Q1 speakers. Very nice setup, good sound, fantastic
speakers.
Unfortunately space is going to become a major issue, so I'm
considering trading in the NAD separates for an Arcam Solo to run the
same speakers.

What's the difference in sound going to be like? Arcam say
(unsurprisingly) that the Solo is better than similarly priced
separates, What HiFi says (unsurprisingly) that it separates will sound
better. Anyone had any experience of comparing the two?



If you got no answer here before it is very likely that's because no-one
here has experience of the specific kit you mention - I, for one, don't even
know what a Arcam Solo is*....???

Thus no-one will be able to reliably tell you what the difference will
be....?? No good asking me anyway, I am 'loosing' it (as the audio twerps
say) - it seems I can't tell the difference between anything much nowadays,
other than carts and speakers....!!


* Puts me in mind of those early, text-only 'questing' computer games - you
typed in the word '********' in response to an impossible question and got
the reply 'I don't know what a ******** is?' from the computer. You then
typed the phrase '**** off' in response to that and the computer would come
back with 'The Gods will cut out your tongue!'

:-)

Arcam Solo vs NAD separates
 

NickD wrote:
Posted this question last week but no responses. :c( So on the
off-chance that someone has an opinion...

I currently have a NAD C320BEE amp, C521BEE CD player and C422 tuner
powering some Kef Q1 speakers. Very nice setup, good sound, fantastic
speakers.
Unfortunately space is going to become a major issue, so I'm
considering trading in the NAD separates for an Arcam Solo to run the
same speakers.

What's the difference in sound going to be like? Arcam say
(unsurprisingly) that the Solo is better than similarly priced
separates, What HiFi says (unsurprisingly) that it separates will sound
better. Anyone had any experience of comparing the two?

Thanks
Nick


I think you may find it unlikely that anyone on this ng will have
experience of both systems side-by-side to give you a meaningful
comparison. If I may be permitted some general observations however:-

Quality audio electronics are (and have been for many years) of a
standard that differences between them are below audible thresholds.
This means that in a blind listening test, you would not be able to tell
them apart on sonic differences. Loudspeakers are not so similar, so
those you can still tell apart in many cases. However, as you intend to
keep the same 'speakers, and the power output of the two systems is
nominally the same, I suggest that there isn't going to be an audible
difference on playing CDs. Arcam have traditionally made good tuners, so
I would expect that the radio performance would also be at least as good
with the Solo as with the NAD, and the Solo gives you DAB as well. (for
what it's worth!)

If the Solo suits on facilities, then in your position I would not hesitate.

S.

Arcam Solo vs NAD separates
 

On 3 Jan 2007 09:00:45 -0800, "NickD" wrote:

Posted this question last week but no responses. :c( So on the
off-chance that someone has an opinion...

I currently have a NAD C320BEE amp, C521BEE CD player and C422 tuner
powering some Kef Q1 speakers. Very nice setup, good sound, fantastic
speakers.
Unfortunately space is going to become a major issue, so I'm
considering trading in the NAD separates for an Arcam Solo to run the
same speakers.

What's the difference in sound going to be like? Arcam say
(unsurprisingly) that the Solo is better than similarly priced
separates, What HiFi says (unsurprisingly) that it separates will sound
better. Anyone had any experience of comparing the two?

Thanks
Nick

Like Keith I wasn't aware of the Arcam Solo, but I've had a look at it
on their web site, and I'm impressed. It isn't the kind of thing you
are going to find in the non-foods at Sainsburys. I think that if you
want to use that as a single bit of kit running your speakers, you
will be just fine. Everything seems to be there and from the look of
the specs, they have simply integrated a pile of their normal
separates very tidily.

Go for it.

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

Arcam Solo vs NAD separates
 

NickD wrote:
Posted this question last week but no responses. :c( So on the
off-chance that someone has an opinion...

I currently have a NAD C320BEE amp, C521BEE CD player and C422 tuner
powering some Kef Q1 speakers. Very nice setup, good sound, fantastic
speakers.
Unfortunately space is going to become a major issue, so I'm
considering trading in the NAD separates for an Arcam Solo to run the
same speakers.

What's the difference in sound going to be like? Arcam say
(unsurprisingly) that the Solo is better than similarly priced
separates, What HiFi says (unsurprisingly) that it separates will sound
better. Anyone had any experience of comparing the two?

Thanks
Nick

Hi Nick,

I have experience of selling Nad and also know the Solo well (I,ve sold
2 this week).You would not be down-grading going to the solo as it is
excellent.It will have a slightly less warm sound but maybe slightly
more punchy compared to your NAD.Any dealer worth their salt would not
mind you taking your kit to them for a direct comparison though which
is always the best thing to do.Some may even let you try it at home.

Regards,
Borosteve.

Arcam Solo vs NAD separates
 

I have experience of selling Nad and also know the Solo well (I,ve sold
2 this week).You would not be down-grading going to the solo as it is
excellent.It will have a slightly less warm sound but maybe slightly
more punchy compared to your NAD.Any dealer worth their salt would not
mind you taking your kit to them for a direct comparison though which
is always the best thing to do.Some may even let you try it at home.

Thanks guys - I thought the lack of responses might be due to not
having heard both side by side, so not to worry.
And yep, I'll be checking out both in my local hifi shop. Promising to
know that they should at least be in the same league.

Nick