NAD D3020 V2 - Stereo Integrated Amplifier
D3020 V2
NAD Electronics, Integrated Amplifiers, Integrated Amps
The original NAD 3020 introduced a generation of music lovers to true high-fidelity sound. In the 1970’s, over a million people rediscovered their music when they placed a NAD 3020 between their turntable and loudspeakers. This little gem outshined amplifiers costing 10 times more with its big, warm, detailed sound. Today, the source is more likely to be a computer or smartphone than a turntable, but the ability to choose speakers that perfectly suit one’s taste is still a compelling argument for upgrading to an NAD amplifier. The D 3020 starts with the original NAD 3020 concept and brings it straight into the 21st century using the latest high-speed digital technology. Now with V2, we have refined the looks and added a Phono input for vinyl playback.
By adapting to today’s media sources and using state-of-the-art digital technology for the new world of digital music, the D 3020 puts a completely modern spin on a revered icon. The original designer of the 3020, NAD’s Director of Advanced Technology, Bjorn Erik Edvardsen, has been pivotal in developing the D 3020 for the new digital generation. Offering an excellent quality 24/192 DAC with 8 channels mixed to 2 for improved resolution, the D 3020 V2 represents the same kind of value-bending innovation that gave the original 3020 its legendary overachieving phono stage.
The D 3020 offers inputs for your digital and analogue sources. Coaxial and optical inputs allow many different digital sources to be connected, from CD and DVD players, to set top boxes, media streamers like AppleTV, or satellite and cable receivers. There are also analogue inputs including a sophisticated MM Phono input. Far from just another set of sockets, this Phono stage includes highly accurate RIAA equalisation, an Infrasonic Warp Filter, and features both high overload margins and extremely low noise. With V2 we’ve also added a PreOut for increased connectivity in the output stage.
Power output may sound small at 30W per channel, but like all NAD amplifiers this is very misleading, as a properly designed 30W amplifier can sound superior to a 100W amplifier from a lesser brand. With its very small form factor, the D 3020 will astound many for its ability to drive difficult loudspeakers to satisfying levels without adding noise or distortion.
NAD rewrote the rules for amplifiers when designing the original 3020. Instead of letting laboratory test equipment have the last word, we made sure that we could properly drive real loudspeakers with real music for the real world. The D 3020 lives up to this promise through a unique implementation of NAD PowerDrive™ developed by Edvardsen, that allows low impedance drive (current) and high dynamic power (voltage) at vanishingly low distortion levels. This refinement of PowerDrive combined with a precision soft clipping circuit, lets the D 3020 sound even more powerful than it already is. An innovative Bass EQ circuit helps small speakers sound big without overdriving or damaging ported woofers.
The D 3020 V2 delivers the convenience of wireless streaming with its Bluetooth® capability. Stream all your music from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The D 3020 even supports the highest audio quality Bluetooth, aptX®, which is becoming ever more popular for its excellent sound quality and low power consumption compared to Wi-Fi.
The D 3020’s highly efficient design wastes less energy, requiring only 20% of the power needed by traditional Hi-Fi amplifiers. It’s like trading in a gas guzzling car for a hybrid vehicle. Standby power consumption is a minuscule <0.5W. NAD has taken amplification to new lows, with lower distortion, lower noise, and lower power consumption. NAD’s major focus is to find new technology that improves musical performance while consuming less power and using fewer non-renewable resources in manufacturing.
Back in the 1970s, NAD introduced the original 3020 — a simple integrated amplifier that outperformed bigger, more expensive amplifiers with its smooth tone and big, detailed sound — something of a game-changer for music lovers of the day. In 2013, NAD introduced the D 3020, which proved as popular as the original among audiophiles of the digital age. The D 3020 V2 is the latest NAD integrated amplifier to build on the original 3020 concept.
With the D 3020 V2, NAD has refined the looks of the original D 3020, and added a phono input for vinyl playback. Just like its predecessor, the V2 is outfitted with a high-quality digital-to-analog converter capable of high-resolution playback. So this amp is ready for CD and Blu-ray players, network streaming devices, and more.
If you think 30 watts doesn't sound like much power, don't be fooled. Not all watts are created equal, and NAD has a long history of designing integrated amps that sound far bigger than their specs might lead you to believe. Highly efficient, this little amp is perfect for powering a pair of bookshelf speakers while delivering warm, detailed sound from digital and analog sources.
Need to fill out the bottom end? Connect a powered sub to the D 3020 V2's subwoofer preamp output.
This isn't your everyday rack-style component. The compact and streamlined D 3020 V2 can stand on its side for placement on a desktop or shelf. Or lay it down flat in your cabinet or rack. You won't find a lot of unnecessary buttons cluttering this amp's front panel. Just an extra-large volume knob and a button for toggling between sources.
The display shows which source is selected, as well as the volume level. What more do you need? Maybe Bluetooth? You got it. Stream tunes wirelessly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer for convenient playback.
Performance Specs |
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Watts RMS per Channel (8-ohms) | 30 | |
Watts RMS per Channel (4-ohms) | 100 | |
Frequency Bandwidth | 20-20kHz | |
THD | 0.05% | |
Minimum Impedance | 4 ohms | |
Signal to Noise Ratio | 90dB | |
Digital Music Features |
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Built-in DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) | Yes | |
Bluetooth | Built-in 4.0 | |
Wi-Fi | N/A | |
Connections |
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Total Analog Inputs | 2 | |
Phono Input | Yes (MM) | |
Optical Digital Inputs | 1 | |
Coaxial Digital Inputs | 1 | |
USB Input | No | |
Preamp Outputs | Sub, Pre-Out | |
Headphone Output | 3.5mm | |
Dimensions |
||
Width | 58mm | |
Height | 186mm | |
Depth | 219mm | |
Weight | 2.1kg |
D3020 V2 Data Sheet |
D3020 V2 Quick Start Guide |
D3020 V2 Owner's Manual |
Performance Specs |
||
---|---|---|
Watts RMS per Channel (8-ohms) | 30 | |
Watts RMS per Channel (4-ohms) | 100 | |
Frequency Bandwidth | 20-20kHz | |
THD | 0.05% | |
Minimum Impedance | 4 ohms | |
Signal to Noise Ratio | 90dB | |
Digital Music Features |
||
Built-in DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) | Yes | |
Bluetooth | Built-in 4.0 | |
Wi-Fi | N/A | |
Connections |
||
Total Analog Inputs | 2 | |
Phono Input | Yes (MM) | |
Optical Digital Inputs | 1 | |
Coaxial Digital Inputs | 1 | |
USB Input | No | |
Preamp Outputs | Sub, Pre-Out | |
Headphone Output | 3.5mm | |
Dimensions |
||
Width | 58mm | |
Height | 186mm | |
Depth | 219mm | |
Weight | 2.1kg |