Can you make a NAD 3020 sound better? #hifireview #audiophile #british #hifi #budget #vintage

Comparison of integrated vs adding a power amp

[Narikeljinjira]

I used the W Diamond IIIs with a NAD3020e for 30 years along with a Pioneer PL3000. Call it a fluke, I really enjoyed that sound and have never managed to get that feel from modern equipment.

[haycrossaudio]

Great video as always. I had one of these years ago. I used the pre / power amp connection as a break out point for active Subwoofers. Very useful 👌

[gezparks]

As you may already know... to make a NAD 3020 sound better... Switch the soft clipping off. Also connect the pre out and power amp sections on the back using lab input instead of the normal. Improved performance at no extra cost.

[ujean]

Try feeding the power amp section of the 3020 with a tube preamp. I'm using a high gain tube preamp into the 3020 driving a pair of LS3/5As. It's shockingly good. Lovely review. Love my NAD 3020a.

[DeAudiofilosyLocos]

IotaVX with their SA3, follows the NAD/Proton model, where you can bridge the integrated and by the sister power amplifier, also to be bridged.

[jked]

The best use for the pre/post ins and outs is that you can add a crossover and use the 3020 as the mid highs amp and the other amp (presumable more powerful) for the bass end. That will get you a lot more effective power out of the 3020.

[jonvincentmusic]

Listening to this video through my Wharfedaale Diamond 1's

[slowpawstevet]

i think the NAD 3020 is a lot more powerful than one would think, happily running B&W 120 watt speakers off one of these! the NAD has an excellent phono/ preamp section. Treble is slightly rolled off compared to modern amp (Rega Brio) so is sometimes good with older albums which sometimes can sound very bright .

Update - I think in hindsight the best way to make a NAD 3020 sound better is to replace it with a NAD 3130!

[frankvanhelvert]

at the beginning THE GREAT AZIMUTH! excellent music choice!😀

[peterbuckland]

Used a NAD 3020 front end to drive AQuad 306 into 15ohm LS35A’s amazing result

[jameshutton]

Exchanging the links with modest interconnects brings excellent results.

[andrewbrazier]

I owned a Nad 3020. My first proper separates hi fi. It was paired with B&W (610 from distant memory)
Forward solid sound with strong bass which suited my dance /pop music & very good with my 1st cd Dire Straits Brothers in Arms on my Yamaha cd player purchased at the same time 🎶 Many years of happy listening - never used above 9 o'clock.
Sold it for £100 to a highly delighted student who kept being outbid on ebay at a large charity shop I worked in 2014 🙂

[DN]

I could hear the difference. With the meridian attached a bit nicer cleaner less muddy. Probably the NAD could do with new capacitors, maybe even use some film caps in parallel. I believe it has an extra pair of power capacitors that come into play when larger loads are drawn to temporarily increase the power to double the rating. It makes the amp more dynamic. NAD calls it power envelope. I have a NAD 3240 I wanted to try as a preamp, but someone had bypassed it's pre-out/line in so I couldn't, so now it is just standing there for me to decide what to do with it.

[PINKFLYD-sh]

Gawd. Its a Rubette! I bought a 3020 when it first came out. Fantastic amp for the time.

[robh]

I don't think necessary though I would use dummy load resistors if unhooking the speakers while in pre-amp mode. Possibly more difference with hard-to-drive speakers. Rotel PA's seem less sought after & make a good 2nd hand choice. What a good upgrade path those links make - would have made more sense for me to go this route rather than the slightly sideways move upgrading my own 3020. A good cap upgrade however may offer better sounds for £s particularly if giving the pre section a going over too.

[andredevries]

Hi Kevin.
Nice video.
I have a nad 302 in my collection and never sell it.
Nad have some very nice amps.
Gr André de vries.

[JoeMurphyLondon]

Surprised you said the Nad is low powered. On paper, I suppose it is, but mine runs a pair of 200w pa speakers and makes the ceiling shake. I’ve owned it for 40 years and see no reason to change

[bartvanransbeeck]

I share the same experience that preamps have much more sound differences then poweramps

[ianpearson]

my original set up was a nad 3020e and wharfedale delta 30 and philips cd610. i never was satisfied with this set up.the only time i got things souding quite good was with vinyl on a rega planar turntable.i tried changing speakers and other components but i was never happy.it always sounded abit "cold " to me.detailed sure and tight but never had that warmth and nice midrange to my ears.

[martindevon]

Quad 404? I'll have to find that one lol. You should bi amp the Spendors with the two Meridian amps. Try " In your care" by Tasmin Archer, great test track