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NAD 3020 and 7240PE

brianjrealto

brianjrealto

Well-Known Member
Hey all,

I recently acquired a 7240PE to see what all the buzz is for on NAD phono stages. I am very impressed with the dynamics of the phono stage and this unit has left my Soundcraftsmen preamp moved to storage..this is a keeper

But, the 3020 seems to get all the buzz as the best of the NAD bunch. But, has anyone done a side by side comparison of the phono stages of the 3020 to a newer NAD 7240 or similar 3240PE? Is the 3020 phono stage any better sounding than these other NAD Models?

thanks,
Brian
 
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FWIW, the 72040PE and 3240PE, which are late 80s designs, have phono stages that are based on the NJM2043 opamp whereas the 3020 is a fully discrete design. Interestingly, NAD continued to use the 3020 phono topology in its separate pre-amps, in particular the TOTL NAD 106 from the early 90s (AK restoration/upgrade thread link).
 
I'm running the 1020 and 1240 and they sound great as phono preamps. I think the 1020 is the 3020 with no amp section.
 
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