NAD D 3020
Author
Discussion

miniman

Original Poster:

29,400 posts

286 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
quotequote all
Anyone got one?

TameRacingDriver

20,191 posts

296 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
quotequote all
Yes

mattwh

149 posts

107 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
quotequote all
Yes

InductionRoar

2,277 posts

156 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
quotequote all
No

Speed 3

5,199 posts

143 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
quotequote all
No

legzr1

3,885 posts

163 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
quotequote all
There's a V2 out.

Haven't one of those either.

miniman

Original Poster:

29,400 posts

286 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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Perhaps I should have been a bit more detailed in the question... hehe

Any observations, particularly vs. a "standard" amp?

jumare

485 posts

173 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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I've got an original NAD 3020 (bought ~1980) still in use connected to the PC via an outboard DAC. Used to use it as a pre-amp with a DIY 75+75w power amp. Sounded good.

It's a bit noisy and I'm tempted to get a capacitor replacement/kit for it.

TameRacingDriver

20,191 posts

296 months

Monday 15th January 2018
quotequote all
Well I use it because I needed the power and grunt of a normal integrated amp, but in a much smaller package for use on a desktop PC. I haven’t compared it with other recent amps because most of those weren’t suitable for my needs due to size, however, I am very happy with it. And if you look up some reviews, you will see that it gets some very favourable review overall.

If there is one thing that I think is an ‘achilles heal’ it could be the onboard DAC. This is said by many to be the weakest part of the amp, and about comparable to a budget model. I hooked up an external DAC to the amp to test this theory, and sure enough, I got a further improvement from doing that. However, I would say most people would be more than happy just using the amp straight from USB into a computer, but if you want a further performance increase, then that is another option.

It also has a very serviceable headphone amp.

I’m happy with it, but I haven’t conducted any real comparisons, however, I find my music very satisfying.