Mine is actually a 3120, which is the minimalist version of the 3020, purchased new in 1985. Paired with Rega Planet 2000 CD Player and KEF Coda III speakers. I "upgraded" amps several times but eventually went back to the NAD. I recently had the main capacitors replaced, the main switch rebuilt and the volume pots cleaned. It makes sweet music!
I bought a 3020B new in 1987 and still have it. It opened my ears to good sound and although I have higher end stuff for my main system now, I still use the 3020 to this day. A whole industry has now sprung up servicing, repairing and upgrading these classic little amps.
NAD 3020 or any unit over 20 or 30 years old will usually need servicing and / or replacement caps, resoldering, many age related faults that may be apparent, then it will sing! My 3020 has had all these fixes and is a keeper.
I disagree with your final verdict. The NAD 3020 Series 20 is one of the best sounding amps at any price range. Anybody thinking of buying one, do so. Let it warm up for 2 or so hours before use and be prepared to be up all night listening to your vinyl/CD collection. Sublime.
Alot of it has to do with synergy. This is probably why, at times, I reacquire an amp and "go for round two"...I.E, something last time for my attention. I personally thought the NAD was a mighty little amp, it was impressive none the less..
@@progste - I have no doubt that once the circuit is properly "warmed up", everything should become in "sync" will likely perform the best at that point. I'll also have just finished most of my first beer - everything sounds better about then! :)
Unusual design in that it didn't use any ICs. The original 'series 20' 3020 is all discrete. Integrated circuits may offer good "paper specs" but all things being equal they just don't sound as good to the human ear as discrete, especially in the 70s and 80s.
You are right! At this time, IC's were considered the "cats meow" - Nad kept it simple. The goal, an affordable amplifier that aimed to reduce distortion and provide enough current to drive even the most difficult loads - I miss it already!
Have this amp for over 40 years. It is grazy good. Tested it with a lot of speakers. The best match were Grundig Hifi box 400, which sound clean and mellow even at low volumes. They make every kind of music sing, no matter if old indian film music, dub reggae, shostakovich or post-punk bands like Tv Peronalities or Josef K.
The 7020 receiver is a good way of getting a 3020 on the cheap - it's essentially the 3020 and 4020 tuner in one case. Last summer I nabbed one for £40, which is about a third to a quarter of the usual selling price of a 3020 in the UK.
wish they release same topology on the same case but with better pcb and parts,like commemorative anniversary version...i prefer the sound of 3020 than c320bee.
NAD's early work was a little too "new wave" for my taste, but when the 3020 came out in '78, I think they really came into their own; commercially and artistically.
I had one years ago with a Dual CS 504 turntable and Boston A40 acoustic speakers. I wish I still had it. I sold it when I joined the Army. I should have kept the HI-FI and stayed out of the Army. 😫
@@1JGP1 Exactly 😂. They might not actually be T03's but the same bi-polar type. They are known for exactly what your describing. A warm sound with a pronounced midrange.
Hum, that's a good question. The 771 is a great receiver, it has the typical Sansui sound which is so easy going and warm. The Marantz, unique to itself - very romantic with splendid midrange. The NAD was an odd duck. Small, spartan, and unbelievable value! The NAD "punches" so much higher than it's class and it's a cult fav for many as a result. If I was to summarize it's sound - it has a sweet midrange; yet it's very natural unlike some other vintage gear. It's easy to enjoy, vocals are really reproduced well - yet it's still not razor sharp. For the time period, it really is impressive.
I think I mentioned it was a B in the video, I'll have to double check as it's been a while & I may have not. The odd thing (Anton) is that the B model had (on the far right) a Mono switch; In contrast, the original 3020 had a Muting switch...On this "odd ball" (let's call it), there certainly is a 3020 faceplate, 3020b banana plugs and the MM/MC switch...Interestingly, you'd think that (since it should have the circuitry of a 3020B & the wrong faceplate) the current "mute switch" should then actually be engaging Mono operation & not muting - correct? Guess what - It is a fully functional Mute switch! Very odd indeed! Also, (if I recall correctly) the screws in the faceplate still had (what looked like) factory blue locktight on them and seemed to be untampered. I wondered if it was some tail-end production of the 3020 (perhaps with) some of the updated circuitry. Who knows! Thanks for contributing!!
Your correct. It was praised in reviews nearly just after it's inception. However, I think (despite it's loyal following) many people bought into the "more is better" philosophy...Thinking, "well - that's a great little amp, but I need more"...Sometimes, IMO, we need to step back and be reminded again that more is not always more (lol). Unfortunately, when people realize this, popularity increases and so does resale. I will say (however) I am still shocked how reasonable prices still are on the 3020, in comparison to other vintage pieces.
Hi there I been thinking of getting a second vintage nad amp, I have just got some full-range speakers @89DB, i notice that you do as well. I read that when you mix vintage and new they sound very nice so would you recommend this 3020 series 20 which was meant to sound even better
Sorry for the late response, I must have missed your comments. I'm not familiar with that particular Denon model, however I'm a big fan of Denon in general. I currently have the PMA 1500, PMA 390re, and the PMA a100! I think you'll find the Denon has a little bit different of a sound signature, perhaps a bit more accurate. The NAD has a nice warm and fun sound to it... Both I'm sure are great!
Good news, those speakers are easy to drive - so, you don't need much wattage. Basically, anything will work. Klipsch can often become a bit brighter than most due to their horn design - so, I'd stick with a warmer sounding unit. Marantz, Pioneer, to name a few. Stay away from Yamaha as the combination might take on a edgy sound. You have many choices!
Sorry, been a bit disconnected lately ;). Akai built a good product, nothing wrong with them - they are a modest receiver with typical build quality for the era. I've personally not heard one, but sometimes you get pleasantly surprised...that's the fun with this hobby!
Hi, I have a Nad 3020 ser.20 after replacing all the electrolytic capacitors, there is a pops in the right channel of the amplifier. By removing the jumpers, the popping disappears.When I disconnect directly from the power, the popping also disappears.If I want to turn off the selector normally, I have to turn the speaker balance to the far left position. Then there is no popping either. Has anyone had this problem with Nad 3020?
Sometimes popping can be caused by things like a failing transistor. One way to check for things like that is to get a can of cold shot, basically cold compressed air in a can, and spraying it section by section (slowly) on the boards of the amplifier to see if it affects operation/ causes interesting sounds and pops. Prior to this though, we really should figure out what exactly it's doing. If I understand you correctly there's random popping that you hear through the speaker on the R Channel when you're listening to music. When you remove the jumpers on the back you are disconnecting the preamplifier from the power amplifier, making me suspect the problem is in the preamplifier (if the popping stops). What selector are you referring to, can you explain a little bit more in detail the bottom half of your comment?
Id stick with an older harman Kardon in the citation series over the nad which I own as well,nad (bbe 316 bbe) H K image better an have much cleaner sounding control - bass over the nad. Trade off being nad has a more neurtal midrange not always to my likeing. Both can still be found used in thrift stores (Where not).If ya pick up a used amp from either nad or especially harman kardon aside from being sure it works or dosent an of course if it isnt working an its from like 1972-3 id avoid it all together I know from taking these apart an at empting to fix em my self with no luck, if on the other hand ya score a nice H.K amp in good working condition you might find it well out perform a huge majority of amps on the used market 10 -15 years up from its original date ? Bear in mind the majority of them should be avoided like sony, pioneer (some marantz) very few can stand the test of time like harman Kardon!
I've certainly had a few Harman Kardon amplifiers and receivers over the years. One of my favourites, of the newer type, was the HK 990. Unfortunately, even though despite being such a excellent sounding applifier, that amp has a few demons. I've had two of them, and both of them had the same problems. I do like the older Citation products for sure.
Purists will tell you the original was the best sounding. I think the revisions were mostly design related...That being said, I don't think v1 or v2 sounded really different...no experience with the last version mentioned.
![NAD 3020e [Reduktor Szumu] Odc.99](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ehzwR3xHSLM/mqdefault.jpg)
![[FULL EP.73] เปิดบ้าน 70 ล้าน "แป้ง Zbing" ยกมาทั้งญี่ปุ่น l เคหสถานบานปลาย l One Playground](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YBnJhTt07Pg/mqdefault.jpg)
Bought mine in 1982
and almost forty years later I am still using it, great amp.
Now that's audio value!!
Ha, that’s about when I got mine, with Dual 505 turntable and Monitor Audio speakers!
Mine is actually a 3120, which is the minimalist version of the 3020, purchased new in 1985. Paired with Rega Planet 2000 CD Player and KEF Coda III speakers. I "upgraded" amps several times but eventually went back to the NAD. I recently had the main capacitors replaced, the main switch rebuilt and the volume pots cleaned. It makes sweet music!
I bought a 3020B new in 1987 and still have it. It opened my ears to good sound and although I have higher end stuff for my main system now, I still use the 3020 to this day. A whole industry has now sprung up servicing, repairing and upgrading these classic little amps.
Just bought mine waiting for delivery tomorrow will they power my dali speakers
Easily…
It's the sweetest sounding amp that I've ever owned, paired with a Marantz cd-52 mk2 and some Kef Coda 2's!
I've just ordered one to go with a Rega Planer 1 and Kef Coda 2! Excited :)
@@embugtodt9790 Good for you!
NAD 3020 or any unit over 20 or 30 years old will usually need servicing and / or replacement caps, resoldering, many age related faults that may be apparent, then it will sing! My 3020 has had all these fixes and is a keeper.
agreed
I disagree with your final verdict. The NAD 3020 Series 20 is one of the best sounding amps at any price range. Anybody thinking of buying one, do so. Let it warm up for 2 or so hours before use and be prepared to be up all night listening to your vinyl/CD collection. Sublime.
Alot of it has to do with synergy. This is probably why, at times, I reacquire an amp and "go for round two"...I.E, something last time for my attention. I personally thought the NAD was a mighty little amp, it was impressive none the less..
What do you mena warm up before use?These are from the 80s...You mean i should switch it on and wait 2 hours before use?
@@beslemeto, I find all electronics sound better after the circuit warms up...it might be psychological ;)
@@1JGP1 I've heard several hifi manufacturers confirm that electronics do indeed need the warmup.
@@progste - I have no doubt that once the circuit is properly "warmed up", everything should become in "sync" will likely perform the best at that point. I'll also have just finished most of my first beer - everything sounds better about then! :)
Bought mine for $20 a month ago, paired with some NHT SB1 speakers for $20. Best $40 I've ever spent!
That's a score!!!
Unusual design in that it didn't use any ICs. The original 'series 20' 3020 is all discrete. Integrated circuits may offer good "paper specs" but all things being equal they just don't sound as good to the human ear as discrete, especially in the 70s and 80s.
You are right! At this time, IC's were considered the "cats meow" - Nad kept it simple. The goal, an affordable amplifier that aimed to reduce distortion and provide enough current to drive even the most difficult loads - I miss it already!
Have this amp for over 40 years. It is grazy good. Tested it with a lot of speakers. The best match were Grundig Hifi box 400, which sound clean and mellow even at low volumes. They make every kind of music sing, no matter if old indian film music, dub reggae, shostakovich or post-punk bands like Tv Peronalities or Josef K.
I bet those speakers sound mellow! The old German hi-fi certainly has its own sound...love it!
I just got a fully restored 3020 from a brilliant guy on E Bay, it looks and sounds brand new :)
The 7020 receiver is a good way of getting a 3020 on the cheap - it's essentially the 3020 and 4020 tuner in one case. Last summer I nabbed one for £40, which is about a third to a quarter of the usual selling price of a 3020 in the UK.
That's a steal!
I absolutely love mine, it's a great amp.
I have had my nad brand new never moved a guess I'm lucky good review.. Keep clean.
Good review by the way!
If I remember correctly, I compared a NAD 7020 to a yamaha 570 and the NAD was way beyond the sound of the latter.
I was quite surprised.
wish they release same topology on the same case but with better pcb and parts,like commemorative anniversary version...i prefer the sound of 3020 than c320bee.
NAD's early work was a little too "new wave" for my taste, but when the 3020 came out in '78, I think they really came into their own; commercially and artistically.
I agree! Thanks for the input.
I am glad I now have 2 nad 3020i amps they seem better made got one for free today going test it tomorrow.
I had one years ago with a Dual CS 504 turntable and Boston A40 acoustic speakers. I wish I still had it. I sold it when I joined the Army.
I should have kept the HI-FI and stayed out of the Army. 😫
We all have so many "should haves", lol. All the more reason to get another!
@@1JGP1 Yeah but a good un is hard to find and Mucho £$££$$
Motorola T03 transistors. That's the secret in the sauce. Nice video!
Like KFC, secret herbs and spices, LOL...
@@1JGP1 Exactly 😂. They might not actually be T03's but the same bi-polar type. They are known for exactly what your describing. A warm sound with a pronounced midrange.
Mine was :
NAD 3020
Thorens TT
Heybrooks HB3
Replace the links with interconnects brings huge improvements.
You are correct! I typically do this with most of my stuff...thank you for sharing!
The transistors is 60w if I don't remember wrong. So thats why it's so powerful 20Watts amp. In Sweden it costed 1000:- about 100$.
I've got an 'e' model and it seems by then they moved the inputs and posts to the normal back position.
Looking for a great little amp to drive my newly acquired Linn Kan Mk2s. Would you recommend this amp? Cheers!
I have slightly smaller Linn's and the 3020 powers them fine
Hey, NAD were not marketing to a TH-cam channel in the 21st Century !
Nice, How is the Nad comparing to vintage japanese amps of the same power like sansui 771 marantz 1060 etc?
Hum, that's a good question. The 771 is a great receiver, it has the typical Sansui sound which is so easy going and warm. The Marantz, unique to itself - very romantic with splendid midrange. The NAD was an odd duck. Small, spartan, and unbelievable value! The NAD "punches" so much higher than it's class and it's a cult fav for many as a result. If I was to summarize it's sound - it has a sweet midrange; yet it's very natural unlike some other vintage gear. It's easy to enjoy, vocals are really reproduced well - yet it's still not razor sharp. For the time period, it really is impressive.
this is not the real 3020 ! it's only the panel from the 3020 ; in reality it's the 3020B version - with mm mc phono stage
I think I mentioned it was a B in the video, I'll have to double check as it's been a while & I may have not. The odd thing (Anton) is that the B model had (on the far right) a Mono switch; In contrast, the original 3020 had a Muting switch...On this "odd ball" (let's call it), there certainly is a 3020 faceplate, 3020b banana plugs and the MM/MC switch...Interestingly, you'd think that (since it should have the circuitry of a 3020B & the wrong faceplate) the current "mute switch" should then actually be engaging Mono operation & not muting - correct? Guess what - It is a fully functional Mute switch! Very odd indeed! Also, (if I recall correctly) the screws in the faceplate still had (what looked like) factory blue locktight on them and seemed to be untampered. I wondered if it was some tail-end production of the 3020 (perhaps with) some of the updated circuitry. Who knows! Thanks for contributing!!
3020A also has MM MC phono.
Original 3020 had no mc.
the word got out as soon as it was released in the 70's, buddy! 🤣
Your correct. It was praised in reviews nearly just after it's inception. However, I think (despite it's loyal following) many people bought into the "more is better" philosophy...Thinking, "well - that's a great little amp, but I need more"...Sometimes, IMO, we need to step back and be reminded again that more is not always more (lol). Unfortunately, when people realize this, popularity increases and so does resale. I will say (however) I am still shocked how reasonable prices still are on the 3020, in comparison to other vintage pieces.
Bose 901 speakers?
Hi there I been thinking of getting a second vintage nad amp, I have just got some full-range speakers @89DB, i notice that you do as well. I read that when you mix vintage and new they sound very nice so would you recommend this 3020 series 20 which was meant to sound even better
Most of the fun is experimentation! It sound like it may be a winner. What are the speakers?
1JGP1 the drivers are by a company called k j f. Friars the 10p. I just bought nad 3020 very rare
1JGP1 full range
Hi! The audio quality is better than the Denon PMA 757?
Sorry for the late response, I must have missed your comments. I'm not familiar with that particular Denon model, however I'm a big fan of Denon in general. I currently have the PMA 1500, PMA 390re, and the PMA a100! I think you'll find the Denon has a little bit different of a sound signature, perhaps a bit more accurate. The NAD has a nice warm and fun sound to it... Both I'm sure are great!
What vintage receiver would you recommend to pair with technics sl 1900 turn table and klipsch rp 600m speakers?
Good news, those speakers are easy to drive - so, you don't need much wattage. Basically, anything will work. Klipsch can often become a bit brighter than most due to their horn design - so, I'd stick with a warmer sounding unit. Marantz, Pioneer, to name a few. Stay away from Yamaha as the combination might take on a edgy sound. You have many choices!
1JGP1 how would Akai AA 1135 do?
Sorry, been a bit disconnected lately ;).
Akai built a good product, nothing wrong with them - they are a modest receiver with typical build quality for the era. I've personally not heard one, but sometimes you get pleasantly surprised...that's the fun with this hobby!
Mine must be older it doesn't have the LEDs above the volume. I have had 2 of these great amps.
Yes, mine was a later version...you are correct.
Hi, I have a Nad 3020 ser.20 after replacing all the electrolytic capacitors, there is a pops in the right channel of the amplifier. By removing the jumpers, the popping disappears.When I disconnect directly from the power, the popping also disappears.If I want to turn off the selector normally, I have to turn the speaker balance to the far left position. Then there is no popping either. Has anyone had this problem with Nad 3020?
Sometimes popping can be caused by things like a failing transistor. One way to check for things like that is to get a can of cold shot, basically cold compressed air in a can, and spraying it section by section (slowly) on the boards of the amplifier to see if it affects operation/ causes interesting sounds and pops. Prior to this though, we really should figure out what exactly it's doing.
If I understand you correctly there's random popping that you hear through the speaker on the R Channel when you're listening to music. When you remove the jumpers on the back you are disconnecting the preamplifier from the power amplifier, making me suspect the problem is in the preamplifier (if the popping stops). What selector are you referring to, can you explain a little bit more in detail the bottom half of your comment?
I just received my NAD 3020 Series 20 😍What speakers everyone will recommend for this amplifier ?
Congrats on the amplifier!
@@1JGP1 thank you!
Heybrook HB1s
Just about anything!!! :)
@@1JGP1 i have now the Infinity Alpha 50 and a small Infinity subwoofer...not that I need the sub but it came with the speakers...they sound awesome
You lost me at 901s...
Id stick with an older harman Kardon in the citation series over the nad which I own as well,nad (bbe 316 bbe) H K image better an have much cleaner sounding control - bass over the nad. Trade off being nad has a more neurtal midrange not always to my likeing. Both can still be found used in thrift stores (Where not).If ya pick up a used amp from either nad or especially harman kardon aside from being sure it works or dosent an of course if it isnt working an its from like 1972-3 id avoid it all together I know from taking these apart an at empting to fix em my self with no luck, if on the other hand ya score a nice H.K amp in good working condition you might find it well out perform a huge majority of amps on the used market 10 -15 years up from its original date ? Bear in mind the majority of them should be avoided like sony, pioneer (some marantz) very few can stand the test of time like harman Kardon!
I've certainly had a few Harman Kardon amplifiers and receivers over the years. One of my favourites, of the newer type, was the HK 990. Unfortunately, even though despite being such a excellent sounding applifier, that amp has a few demons. I've had two of them, and both of them had the same problems. I do like the older Citation products for sure.
Had one it was very bland
You did'nt care for it?
Nice review! please tell me, there is any sound diference between 3020 3020E 3020i ? Why they made so many versions of this amplifier? Thank you!
Purists will tell you the original was the best sounding. I think the revisions were mostly design related...That being said, I don't think v1 or v2 sounded really different...no experience with the last version mentioned.