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Old Nad 3020

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Pitadavespa

New Member
My name is Luis Pita, I’m from Portugal and I'm 30 years old and I think you will find my system a little strange :)

I proudly have a Nad 3020 (bought on E-bay), and Apple computer (Macbook) that I use as source for my "digital" music, a Tivoli Audio Model Two with Sub and a B&W CM1 speakers. I know these last ones deserve a better amp and source, but I love 3020’s sound and that is what I can have for now.
All wires and connectors are (at least for now) perfectly normal (=cheap).

My questions are:

1 - How do I know the Nad is “fully” working? How do I know it is not already “tired”, since when I bought it was around 28 years old? Can I do some tests to check out its health? It has no crackles or noises, even with the volume at maximum power. I think the CM1 are a little difficult to drive for a 20 W amp, but it does it in a way that marvels me and makes me smile all the time. The problem is when I push for it, when I drive it more near its limits (say volume after 2/3). The sound gets something “blurred”. How do I know if the problem are the 20 WPC that are not capable enough to make the CM1 sing at all their lungs or is the 3020 that is something “tired”?

2 - Supposing the Nad is OK, do you think the sound would get better if I joined another 3020 to the system?
Vertical bi-amping?
What about 3 3020? One for pre-amplification and the other two for power?
Or I should just stop dreaming and by a decent new amplifier?

Thank you all for your help,
Luis Pita
www.teamxanfre.com
 
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Receba a AK!

Does the 3020 have a clipping indicator? You should be able to drive the CM1's pretty well, but I wouldn't expect anything bombastic to carry it's full weight. The speakers themselves aren't full-range (20-20K).

You might check the DC offset as detailed by EchoWars' post, should be able to locate it easily enough.

Edit - Here - http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5634&highlight=Offset

Also, if you have pre-out jumpers, you can easily add a more powerful amp.

Good Luck!

3020B seems to have a power meter and clipping indicator. Same for the 3020?

http://207.228.230.231/info/NAD_3020B.pdf
 
Hi,

Do you know about electronics?
I have the schematics for the NAD 3020e and with it there's a guide to adjusting the amplifier.
PM me with your e-mail address if you would like a copy.

The USER-Manual is available for download from www.vinylengine.com

All that said, I would think it's rather normal for a small amp. like this to exhibit the characteristics you describe. More PUNCH mean more WATT's. This amp. has a soft-clipping circuit that reduces the hard clipping normally associated with transistorized amp's, so you'll not easily notice when the amp. is driven beyond it's capabilities. Some claims it makes it sound like a tube-amp and probably that has a lot to do with why you like it so much :D

Kind regards,

/tri-comp
 
Thanks for your answers.

Clmrt:
I'll try to get a multimeter and measure DC offset.
Yes, 3020 also as a power meter and a clipping switch on the back.

tri-comp:
I have some electronics knowledge, but just in theory, not practice :(

What about bi-amplification? Would you recommend vertical bi-amp. or one amp. for tweeters and the other for woofers?

Thanks,
Luis Pita
www.teamxanfre.com
 
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