[snow white]

Hi there

Can anyone advise what's the best NAD 3020 series? Any possibility in getting hold of it made in UK or Taiwan? Any differences in this two?

 

[snow white]

any advise??

 

[DDF]

I have 2, once since 1980 ish. Still use them for non critical stuff. They were really good for the time, but that time's long gone. I would look for something more modern, it will sound better.

 

[spahn_ranch]

The word appears to be that the last incarnation of the standalone integral amp is the best sounding; that's the 2x25W 3020B and its sibling 3120, which is identical except for lacking bass, treble and balance control. On ebay, the 3120 seems to fetch the equivalent of 2-3 regular 3020's.

Other than that, just buttin' in to say that $50 stole me a VG condition NAD 7020i, which is a receiver anno 1991 with a 3020 amp section. Any student or otherwise starving or not so starving nice-fi afficionado could be worse adviced than to consider a 3020/7020; not least since you get real nice phono and phones with it.

 

[AntiGeek]

Save your money and get a 320BBE

 

[spahn_ranch]

^
Unless you want pretty good phono included and a box of vinyl for the difference, that shouldn't dissapoint either.

 

[That dude]

I have a 3020i and it seriously performs beyond its price, but only if you can get it for around 50-100 bucks. Anything above that, you should get something more recent (like late 90's) since they would be in the best bang for buck category. As for other 3020s, I have no idea how they compare.

NAD stuff are generally sound pretty good and are quite powerful, but I find their products lack certain character. I'm currently using a NAD 317 with my darkvoice 332 as a pre-amp, which I think is a pretty awesome combo.

 

[Adu]

I have also a NAD 3020i, the last version from early 90's; he performs great for the price and it's a bargain. This version it's different from the others with small improvments, like capacitors( the old 2200uF capacitors are replaced with 4700uF Elite capacitors). This small "tuning" help the bass sound a little bit tight.
If you want to buy one be carreful at the switchies, capacitors and phono plugs.
For a good review, read this: NAD 3020 - Listening test

Good luck!