very musical, price

not as detailed as some of the competition, looks odd on your rack (and not in a good way), headphone amp only ok

I really, really enjoy this amp. As you can see above, I auditioned it with creek and rotel, which I'm sure you know are highly regarded amps in this price range. They were both impressive in terms of a full sound, and to be honest, I liked the creek a lot. To my ears the adcom just wasn't musical (and I own a adcom gcd700 player so I should be biased). What made me go with the NAD though is that it seemed to mate better with my cd player than any of the other amps. I actually felt the rotel threw a better soundstage, and transients were better with the creek, but for some wierd reason I kept coming back to this amp (in case you care, I didn't test them blind). However, if I had to rate the other amps I tried, it would be as follows: adcom 3 stars, rotel 4 stars, creek 5 stars. My feet taped with this amp, and for me, that clinched it. I don't think the sound of mid/low budget audio can get any better-thank you NAD.

other gear (and cable):
adcom gcd700 (aq ruby) w/ tenderfeet isolation points
nad c340 (aq jumper cables)
acoustic research ar308ho (kimber 8tc/4tc biwired)
-seriously considering b&w's dm602II & nht's 2.5
grado sr60 headphones

Similar Products Used:

auditioned vs creek 4330, adcom gfa5200 & a used rotel (don't remember the model#).

Best sounding amp in this price range.

none

After listening to brands like Rotel, Marantz, Harmon Kardon, Yamaha and NAD C320 during a three month period the NAD C340 was the best sounding amplifier in this price range.

The bass is tight and the treble is crispt plus great mids.

More importantly you get the warmthness you get from more expensive amplifiers which costs twice as much.

Although it's rated at 50 watts their is plenty of power to handle a mid size room.

Overall best sounding amplifier for the price.

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge Audio A500

Impressive sound quality and imaging for $375.Sounds loud enough to rock a decent size LR.

Well, you never know what this world holds for you - even if you are expected to pay a price way below the usual midprice range. Compare the C340 to any ordinary midprice amp, and you're sure to decide on the NAD. Basically, it sounds like music more than just the phony-soundy onkyo thing. It responds wonderfully to rhythm: You hear where the drum comes from and how it leaves. Both bass and treble are well balanced. Especially male voices are presented with a solid yet not too solid ground tone. For those listeners who prefer a natural and musical sound to something that sounds like pure power, this amp will be a good choice. And though its output power at 8 Ohm is rated 50 W only, don't underestimate the Brit: an integrated circuitry will ASSIMILATE speakers of most impedances. RESISTACE IS FUTILE. NADs 340 will work fine with all speakers less hard to handle than Infinity. Try this one out. Maybe one day, you'll even get used to its design :-) The overall build quality is very good. The switches and knobs feel fine, and so does the remote control.

Smooth, lush midrange. Clear, gently, rolled highs. Solid, articualte, bass. Good build.

No separte pre-out.

I won't go into a long review. This is a simply terrific amp and a continuation of the tradition of the NAD 3020. This amp does practicaly everything right. It's primary strength is a warm, emotional midrange combined with good highs and bass. It has power and authority beyond its 50 watts. I used this amp in a second system with B&W 602s for over a year and still enjoy listening to it. For the price, nothing can compare. It sounds better if you leave it on continually.
As for the previous review, ignorant behavior like that is the price we pay for the freedom of the Internet.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 3020, various Rotels, Quad solid state, Counterpoint Solid State

I went to the local hifi store to get myself a new amplifier. I didn't know what to buy, so i listened to some different amps:
NAD C320 (1995 sek)
MAD C340 (2995 sek)
Denon PMA-925R (3795 sek)
Marantz PM-66SE K.I. signature (4995 sek)

The amps were hooked up with a pair of B&W DM-602 and a some different cd-players.

The Denon PMA-925R do have a lot of power, but it really sounds like shit. The Marantz PM-66SE KI was a lot better than the Denon, but it didn't stand a chance tp the NAD amps.
The NAD amps were the best sounding ones, no doubt about that. Though, the C320 is a bit too weak for my taste, so I decided to get the C340, and I like it a lot. Great value for the money!

Today,5- 10.99, I went to the local Hi-Fi dealer. I listened to a Nad C340 hooked up with a pair of Dali 909, and I was amazed. How can a so cheap amplifire sound so good?
I'm sure that there is thousands of amps that sound better,and for sure can play louder, but the Nad C340 is, in my opinion, absolutely worth the money.

PS: I'm not an expert, and I am sure of that one who is can hear some flaws, but for an average listener who don't need too much bass and high volumes, this is a good choise.

warm and musical, rich and satisfying

Binding posts, volume control

I will always be grateful to my C340. It's leaving tomorrow as I have sold it via ebay.

Several months ago I moved into better sound with this amp a Marantz CD5000 cd player and Paradigm Mini Monitors. All in all a very good entry into hi-fi and all three components gave me just enough of a taste of what was possible to inspire me to upgrade them (MM's for Paradigm Studio 20's, Marantz CD5000 for Rotel RCD971 and the 340 for Rotel 1070 pre amp a 1070 amp. All amzing gear for the price and a whole different level of experiencing the music)

The 340 does so many things righ; it has to be one of the best values in audio. The sound is clean, detailed and rich. Paired with Rotel's RCD971 cd player it astounded me with it's ability to pass through (with very little coloration) the cd players high resolution.

The bass has been strong and tight, the highs smooth and sweet; but it's the mids where the 340 really shines offering full, rich, emotional sound.

My only complaints are the binding posts (cheap plastic jobs) and also that the NAD manual says that they accept spade connectors which they do not. Also it's hard to control the volume with the precision that I like when turned down low (between 7:30 & 6:00).

All in all you can't go wrong with this product. Had I not pursued (what little) I felt I might be missing by going to stores and listening. I would have been happy with this for many years.

Similar Products Used:

none used but many auditioned

Well, I began my amp hunt in July 1999. Scored a HK AVR 40 ProLogic amp on the cheap. Sounded good hooked up to my KEK k160's, with a Yamaha CDC 765 cd player (a hell of a unit, and you can now get them for <$250.) But it was a little bright. Then got a yen for Dolby Digital, and scored a Yamaha 2092 for $700. But I will admit, something was missing. Music sounded good, but through both, it sounded a little "processed," with a very slight but noticeable electronic haze to it.
And then it dawned on me -- I listen to music 95% of the time, and watch movies the other 5%. Why pay for three extra channels of amplification that you rarely use, in addition to countless DSP modes and on screen displays and S Video inputs? Too much circuitry!

Based on the reviews here, I took a chance and ordered the c340. Oh my goodness. I feel I should stand on the street and grab people by the lapels and say "before you buy another $500 Sony receiver, listen to this amp!" The music it creates is simply gorgeous (at this price point, of course.)

Badi Assad's Chameleon really took on life it never had before. Same for Joao and Astrud Gilberto's collaboration with Stan Getz. Wilco's Summer Teeth. Everything I have thrown at this amp is reproduced beautifully. I paid $340 delivered. I am shaking my head. Bass is controlled (not so with the Yamaha). The mids are done nicely as well. More detailed than anything I've owned before.

A lot of people get into the trap that an AV receiver can do justice to music. Few can, most do not. And the A/V thing -- found a Yamaha DSP-492E (surround amp/processor) for $99 new in the box here in Florida. I run it through the tape two loop - and it fits the bill for my AV needs.

Love great music? Give it a listen. Five speakers at this price point. Four speakers at ANY price point!

I just bought the C340 last week, together with the 522 and the c440 ( cd player and tumer, also from NAD). Compared to my old audio set the sound has improved for a 100%. So much detail, excellent bass, very clean high tones. This c340 plays the music as it should be.
I also do like the straight forward looks of the set. No unnecessesary functions, only the ones you really need