NAD: Optimus Prime

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NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Slowy »

Optimus prime.jpg
Took a drive over to Tauranga today and collected this wee thing. It has some unusual features which I will go into when I've explored it more thoroughly.

First impressions:
Built to be clean and loud. (Built actually as a pedalboard engine) Has an AC15 type shimmer , but turn up the bass and it's got a massive thump. Really percussive, but sweet as well at lower volumes.
Then there's the boost switch which adds lots of snarl to the thump. 8)
Bass and Treble controls offer wide variation. Haven't got the hang of the channel and master volume interactions yet.
Will open it up tomorrow but it appears very well built. Absolutely silent at any gain level.

There's a real possibility this might be my buy of the decade!
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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by hamo »

Nice one Slowy, I'm fair jealous.
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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Slowy »

hamo wrote:Nice one Slowy, I'm fair jealous.
Mate if I could afford it, you could too.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Mini Forklift »

Good buying Slowy. Had my eye on this one one but I snoozed and um, losed.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Dharmajester »

Have to say I thought this looked like a reliable buy too. Enjoy :thumbup:
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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Slowy »

It sure ain't a 5E3! Aluminium chassis, stainless steel faceplate. The cabinet is very well made. It will be a pleasure to replace the Mercedes vents with something more traditional. There's a fan that can be switched off. Don't know if it's really required but it's silent.
OP9.jpg
OP8.jpg
OP6.jpg
OP4.jpg
OP3.jpg
OP2.jpg
Selector switch for 6DZ7 or 6L6 operation. No Biasing required. I assume this means a matched pair would be important?
OP1.jpg
Even has aluminium shielding on the cabinet base.
OP5.jpg
The 6DZ7: Two EL84s in one bottle.
6DZ&.jpg
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Slowy »

0986.jpg
The only real question mark: Anybody know what this is? The other preamp tube is a 12AX7.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by bender »

Wow- that looks really cool. Love those huge bottles! I've got a spare pair of 6L6s if you want some. Yours for the princely sum of zero dollars.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Aquila Rossa »

Slowy wrote:Image

The only real question mark: Anybody know what this is? The other preamp tube is a 12AX7.
Looks like an EF86 to me.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Conway »

You definitely need to do something about that front panel.
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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by jeremyb »

Never seen anything like those 6d's before, bonkers!
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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Aquila Rossa »

p.s. The Russian is 6Ж32П ? That is 6J32P the Russian equivalent to EF86 and 6267.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Conway »

Aquila Rossa wrote:p.s. The Russian is 6Ж32П ? That is 6J32P the Russian equivalent to EF86 and 6267.
The KGB have taught you well, comrade.
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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Slowy »

bender wrote:Wow- that looks really cool. Love those huge bottles! I've got a spare pair of 6L6s if you want some. Yours for the princely sum of zero dollars.
Thank you! I accept. :thumbup:
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: NAD: Optimus Prime

Post by Slowy »

Aquila Rossa wrote:p.s. The Russian is 6Ж32П ? That is 6J32P the Russian equivalent to EF86 and 6267.
Thanks!
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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