NAD C320/C326 BEE Sub Query

Gamefreak501

Gamefreak501

Gamefreak501

Soldato
Joined
7 Aug 2003
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Bedfordshire
Hey everyone,

I've owned my NAD C320 BEE for nearly 6 years now it's probably the oldest part of my system as it was purchased around about December 2004.

However, it didn't come with a dedicated sub woofer output - so I have a tangle of wires going from my NAD amplifier to my Mordaunt Short MS-308 subwoofer then to my Heybrook HB-150 speakers.

Not sure if it's any use, but none of my equipment is bi-wireable.

I was looking over NADs latest offerings and came across a C326 BEE, whilst it's got the same features pretty much, it also has two Subwoofer outputs.

Would I see much of a difference in using the high-level connectors as above; compared with using the low-level connectors from a C326 BEE to the Mordaunt Short MS-308?

Or is this merely just for tidyness?

As an aside, I also just purchased an M-Audio 2496 for my PC and a QED interconnect and I'm impressed with the tighter vocals and the much more defined mid and high range reproduction when compared with my onboard sound (with a good 3.5mm to RCA Profigold interconnect)!

Any advice great appreciated as always.

Kind Regards,

David
 
Hey everyone,

Actually, I just realised it does have a pre-out and main-ins - would this be a case of using a 'y' phono lead?

I've not honestly looked into this as a possible connection - looks like there are loops between the main-in and pre-out.

Shows how much I know - is this beneficial over the high level connections I use?

Kind Regards,

David
 
Gamefreak501 said:
Hey everyone,

Actually, I just realised it does have a pre-out and main-ins - would this be a case of using a 'y' phono lead?

I've not honestly looked into this as a possible connection - looks like there are loops between the main-in and pre-out.

Shows how much I know - is this beneficial over the high level connections I use?

Kind Regards,

David
Click to expand...

Single phono to phono, connect to the left pre-out.
 
Hey everyone,

Thank you for your continued help - I tried connecting via the pre-out and it disabled the whole left channel (or right channel respectively). I'm not sure if this indicates a problem with my amplifier, or I'm doing something wrong.

The only workaround I could employ was by using one of the tape-out connectors - however I believe these are both amplified, so I wasn't able to turn the subwoofer volume up too loudly without it starting to sound distorted.

In retrospect, it doesn't sound too bad using the Tape monitor output - but not sure if this a good idea.

Perhaps I am best keeping to the high level speaker connectors instead, and just accepting the extra messy wires this causes?

I also noticed another thing - I believe the speakers come out louder when connected via the NAD amplifier rather than the Mordaunt-Short subwoofer - this might have something to do with the difference in power, the NAD amplifier is rated at 50w+50w RMS and the subwoofer at 1x80w.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated,

Kind Regards,

David
 
Last edited:
Gamefreak501 said:
Hey everyone,

Thank you for your continued help - I tried connecting via the pre-out and it disabled the whole left channel (or right channel respectively). I'm not sure if this indicates a problem with my amplifier, or I'm doing something wrong.

The only workaround I could employ was by using one of the tape-out connectors - however I believe these are both amplified, so I wasn't able to turn the subwoofer volume up too loudly without it starting to sound distorted.

In retrospect, it doesn't sound too bad using the Tape monitor output - but not sure if this a good idea.

Perhaps I am best keeping to the high level speaker connectors instead, and just accepting the extra messy wires this causes?

I also noticed another thing - I believe the speakers come out louder when connected via the NAD amplifier rather than the Mordaunt-Short subwoofer - this might have something to do with the difference in power, the NAD amplifier is rated at 50w+50w RMS and the subwoofer at 1x80w.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated,

Kind Regards,

David
Click to expand...

My bad, I just remembered it is indeed the tape-out I've got my sub connected to and not the pre-out. I'm not sure if this sacrifices sound quality but it sounds pretty good to me.
 
What do you mean when you say you have the speakers connected to the sub woofer?

Nevermind, just realised that your subwoofer has high level inputs with a pass through for satelite speakers, it really shouldnt sound much different unless the subwoofer is stopping frequencies from going to the main speakers.

You can use the pre outs on the nad amp but you will have to split them and plug it back into the amp again as well as the subwoofer, make sure you crossover your subwoofer correctly as it will be getting full range.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for your replies - it seems to sound okay via the Tape out - provided the volume level on the Subwoofer is kept very low - it doesn't like being turned up - I can only describe that it starts to get muddy and distorted - which may be an indication of the cheap interconnects I'm using, or that the tape-out is amplified and therefore sending a very loud signal through it, so I'm still unsure.

Does this sound about right?

Kind Regards,

David
 
Bubba said:
That is correct, tape out is not an ideal output for a subwoofer, the subwoofer is not expecting an amplified input.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply;

I think I'll be getting some more ofc speaker cable so I can connect the sub up again, via the high level inputs - I have some going to my speakers and it sounds very good, better than the other cable I have.

Kind Regards,

David
 
Gamefreak501 said:
Hey everyone,

Thank you for your continued help - I tried connecting via the pre-out and it disabled the whole left channel (or right channel respectively). I'm not sure if this indicates a problem with my amplifier, or I'm doing something wrong.
Click to expand...

Can you confirm you were looping back in the Pre In?

Pre out -> sub -> pre in?
 
Trifid said:
Can you confirm you were looping back in the Pre In?

Pre out -> sub -> pre in?
Click to expand...

I didn't loop it in like that - I've just ended up using some ofc cable to the high level input - which gives me a better output - than with the tape-out - and I get better control over the output to the subwoofer.

But I'm using some thick 3-4mm ofc speaker wire from my amp to my sub and from my sub to my speakers - and it sounds very good.

Kind Regards,

David
 
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