NAD 3020i, what speakers?
Discussion
My current ‘system’ comprises of an iPhone and a Bose wireless speaker. My first foray into real hi fi has had me looking all over for budget kit. I pounced in a NAD amp this evening in order to start building an interesting setup. Budget constraints mean that I’m unlikely to be buying much new stuff, so I’m looking for advice to help me buy a good matching pair of speakers. I listen mainly to rock/blues and my living room isn’t too huge so I’m looking for a pair of stand mounted speakers. Once the speakers are purchased, I’ll be looking for a turntable, possibly a Pioneer PL12 or similar.
All advice/suggestions greatfully received!
All advice/suggestions greatfully received!
Tony1963 said:
Budget?
Do you already have a collection of good quality vinyl?
Hi Tony1963, Do you already have a collection of good quality vinyl?
Budget? Not sure! Probably £150ish. I'll need cables, interconnects too.
My vinyl collection has been through a minimum of 5 house moves and is in a sorry state.
My favourite Queen album looks exactly like a refugee from a Student's bedsit, most of the covers are held together with brittle, yellow, sellotape and the vinyls themselves will need a deep clean or replacement. I'm sure there's traces of 1980's cheap cider splashed over most of them.
Like many others, I chucked out loads of records when CD's took over the world. I found a box full of LP's in the loft a while ago and thought it would be fun to relive my youth!!
TypeR said:
My current ‘system’ comprises of an iPhone and a Bose wireless speaker. My first foray into real hi fi has had me looking all over for budget kit. I pounced in a NAD amp this evening in order to start building an interesting setup. Budget constraints mean that I’m unlikely to be buying much new stuff, so I’m looking for advice to help me buy a good matching pair of speakers. I listen mainly to rock/blues and my living room isn’t too huge so I’m looking for a pair of stand mounted speakers. Once the speakers are purchased, I’ll be looking for a turntable, possibly a Pioneer PL12 or similar.
All advice/suggestions greatfully received!
Hi there, I just dropped you a PM as I have a couple of pairs of different speakers for sale at the moment that may be of interest to you. All advice/suggestions greatfully received!
Consider some older small floorstanders, take up the same room and will give you some weight.
The 3020i doesn't really deliver true weight like a larger amp will, so you need a speaker that will get with it, a smaller transmission line would be a good bet.
The TDL RTL2 used to work really well with the 3020i.
The 3020i doesn't really deliver true weight like a larger amp will, so you need a speaker that will get with it, a smaller transmission line would be a good bet.
The TDL RTL2 used to work really well with the 3020i.
I am not really in the Hifi loop, but I've paid my 'quite reasonable second hand amp' with some Wharfedale diamond 9.1 which at £99 new seem to be a fairly base-line staple. Also have some floor standing B&W 603 s2 floor standers in the other room bought used.
If want some more thump along side the standmounted bookcases, while the cost gets still quickly, you can pick up a powered sub without blowing mad budget. I picked up a Kef 30B for £50 spares or repair and spent £20 getting someone to diagnose a blown fuse, they had the knowledge that the factory spec is very borderline for handling the start up surge and with age you can go from 2amp slow blow to 3amp or similar.
Daniel
If want some more thump along side the standmounted bookcases, while the cost gets still quickly, you can pick up a powered sub without blowing mad budget. I picked up a Kef 30B for £50 spares or repair and spent £20 getting someone to diagnose a blown fuse, they had the knowledge that the factory spec is very borderline for handling the start up surge and with age you can go from 2amp slow blow to 3amp or similar.
Daniel
The 2050i would be a much better bet with your amp...
https://www.qacoustics.co.uk/q-acoustics-2050i-flo...
It is a pretty compact floorstander, 92db sensitivity which is far easier to drive with the little Nad amp, and they go down to 44hz, which imho is definitely needed if you have no sub.
The smaller 3020 bookshelf starts to roll off pretty quick from 75hz, which means they simply don't do bass.
The difference between a speaker that goes below 50hz and one that doesn't is massive, in soundstage as much as anything, but also because when you get some weight you also get some warmth, and far less fatiguing because of it.
I used to sell those Nad amps, they really start to sing with an efficient compact floorstander, imho they just didn't work well with bookshelf speakers at all, the cheaper bookshelves didn't go low enough to sound decent, and the better bookshelves the amp couldn't drive properly.
A nice 92db speaker that goes below 50hz is what that amp needs, I think you will find that a great little set up.
Other option as said above is the bookshelves and a small sub, an old Rel Q100 or something off eBay for £80 would be great.
https://www.qacoustics.co.uk/q-acoustics-2050i-flo...
It is a pretty compact floorstander, 92db sensitivity which is far easier to drive with the little Nad amp, and they go down to 44hz, which imho is definitely needed if you have no sub.
The smaller 3020 bookshelf starts to roll off pretty quick from 75hz, which means they simply don't do bass.
The difference between a speaker that goes below 50hz and one that doesn't is massive, in soundstage as much as anything, but also because when you get some weight you also get some warmth, and far less fatiguing because of it.
I used to sell those Nad amps, they really start to sing with an efficient compact floorstander, imho they just didn't work well with bookshelf speakers at all, the cheaper bookshelves didn't go low enough to sound decent, and the better bookshelves the amp couldn't drive properly.
A nice 92db speaker that goes below 50hz is what that amp needs, I think you will find that a great little set up.
Other option as said above is the bookshelves and a small sub, an old Rel Q100 or something off eBay for £80 would be great.
gizlaroc said:
The 2050i would be a much better bet with your amp...
Did OP mention budget as 3050's can be had for sensible money.https://www.richersounds.com/q-acoustics-q3050-mat...
I have these as my fronts, great with 2 channel (loads of bass) as well as movies.
Many thanks for all the advice. I'm leaning towards older speakers. (I hate the word Vintage, I'd be considered flippin' prehistoric at my age!)
I missed a pair of the TDL speakers as recommended by Gizlaroc last week due to me being a tightwad on my bidding!.
I'm just about to "pull the trigger" (in true PH parlance) on a pair of Monitor Audio R352's. A pair of wooden stands are part of the package and I think with a bit of spit & polish they'll look pretty smart.
Specs are: 8ohm, 92 db sensitivity and 50Hz-22Khz range. I'm not a bass junkie, so I hope some careful positioning and port baffling might do the trick.
I'm hoping to grab these fairly cheapish....
I'll still keep an eye on the TDL's, I like the transmission line tech and I think they were made locally to me (High Wycombe) which adds a bit of interest too.
I'll keep you guys updated, because nobody likes an unfinished thread!!
Cheers,
Simon.
I missed a pair of the TDL speakers as recommended by Gizlaroc last week due to me being a tightwad on my bidding!.
I'm just about to "pull the trigger" (in true PH parlance) on a pair of Monitor Audio R352's. A pair of wooden stands are part of the package and I think with a bit of spit & polish they'll look pretty smart.
Specs are: 8ohm, 92 db sensitivity and 50Hz-22Khz range. I'm not a bass junkie, so I hope some careful positioning and port baffling might do the trick.
I'm hoping to grab these fairly cheapish....
I'll still keep an eye on the TDL's, I like the transmission line tech and I think they were made locally to me (High Wycombe) which adds a bit of interest too.
I'll keep you guys updated, because nobody likes an unfinished thread!!
Cheers,
Simon.
TypeR said:
<snip>
Monitor Audio R352's.
<snip>
I have a pair of those - highly recommended.Monitor Audio R352's.
<snip>
There were 2 (might have been 3) pairs for sale on Ebay due to finish this evening, did you miss them all?
Keep an eye out for B&W DM110 or DM110i as well - they'll also suit your amp.
There are several pairs on Ebay at the moment for around £130
Not sure if this link will work: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Sound-Vision/293/i.html...
EDIT: If you fancy something larger, then these B&W 330i (larger version of the above) will do just fine too.
Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 9th December 22:27
If you're happy with the vintage look, I would consider the following...
Celestion Ditton 15, 15XR, 33 and 44's.
Spendor BC1 or SP1, or even SP2/2 if they come up at the right price.
B&W DM4.
The Dittons are good as they do bass half decently.
Be a bit careful with those R352's, they were known for being really open in the mids and top but could be a bit bright with many of the amps around like the Nad amps.
The early Ditton 15 with the HD1300 tweeter (spiral effect to it) roll off at 15khz and so can tame some cheaper amps a bit and sound super smooth.
Be aware that speakers of this age can start to have issues, most often blown tweeters due to the caps drying out, and bass drivers that have the foam falling apart or the rubber drying out.
Repairing them is a tricky choice as the parts are worth more than the speakers, often a pair of tweeter can be more than a pair of decent working speakers.
Celestion Ditton 15, 15XR, 33 and 44's.
Spendor BC1 or SP1, or even SP2/2 if they come up at the right price.
B&W DM4.
The Dittons are good as they do bass half decently.
Be a bit careful with those R352's, they were known for being really open in the mids and top but could be a bit bright with many of the amps around like the Nad amps.
The early Ditton 15 with the HD1300 tweeter (spiral effect to it) roll off at 15khz and so can tame some cheaper amps a bit and sound super smooth.
Be aware that speakers of this age can start to have issues, most often blown tweeters due to the caps drying out, and bass drivers that have the foam falling apart or the rubber drying out.
Repairing them is a tricky choice as the parts are worth more than the speakers, often a pair of tweeter can be more than a pair of decent working speakers.
gizlaroc said:
<snip>
Spendor BC1 or SP1, or even SP2/2 if they come up at the right price.
B&W DM4.
<snip>
I would say that all of the above outclass the NAD 3020i.Spendor BC1 or SP1, or even SP2/2 if they come up at the right price.
B&W DM4.
<snip>
The 3020i was probably one of the most over hyped amps of it's time, as there were plenty of contemporary Japanese amps which ran rings around it.
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