Does any 80's amp compare to the NAD 3020?

[treserious]

How about an Audiolab 8000a?

I find sound wise it is the same or better than the 3020, but it has more current, and a much better tranny.

I did comparative listening between the two when I still had my 3020.



As for the specs on the 3020 not being impressive, well, its not all about specs now is it?

My dad recently bought a used "YBA integre" and it blows almost anything out of the water, but its specs aren't impressive.

Did A B testing between that, an Atoll, a rega, and my Audiolab, and it blew all of them away in sound quality, detail, tonality, and it had no problems with more difficult speakers.

 

[Damage]

$1K integrateds.... I'll build chip amps first. Just my opinion.

okay, well a quick scan of you know where shows audiolabs can be had relatively cheap compared to new. I think I could go for one of those if I didn't have a Linn already.

Still would build a chip amp first.

 

[BrassTeacher]

Yeah.

Don't forget the lowly NAD 310, which is an integrated. I had one for several years, and it sure sounded much bigger than 20 WPC.

Yes, the 310 is nice. I currently use one myself, albeit modified. As soon as I finish hot-rodding my fourth NAD 3020, I'll have to have a "bake off".

My fourth 3020? Yes, like an idiot, I sold my other three. But, there are three more happy 3020 fans out there somewhere, I guarantee you!

Another sleeper, but very rare, is the Proton AM-200.

Not sure how much a used Arcam Delta can be had for, or an AR Cambridge (Arcam) A60 (probably twice the price of a used stock 3020), but WOW!