The rebirth of a hi-fi legend
NAD's new D3020 hybrid digital amplifier is a revolutionary product from the Canadian hi-fi stalwarts. The original
NAD 3020 amplifier was revolutionary in its own right in the 1970's, selling over a million units and igniting a love of hi-fi for a new generation of listeners. So what's so revolutionary about the new D3020?
Hybrid Digital Construction
The D3020's engine room is a Class D digital amplifier designed in conjunction with
Hypex, a Dutch specialist digital amplifier manufacturer. It's rated output power is 30W at 8 ohms which doesn't look like a lot on paper, but as with the original 3020 (and most of NAD's amplifiers), it can outperform lesser amps with 100w + of power in their spec sheets.
The digital amplifier design allows for a tiny footprint - the amplifier is designed to stand vertically and looks a lot like an external hard drive. It also allows for economical operation, generating almost no heat and with standby power consumption less than half a watt.
Most important though is the sound. The D3020 delivers in spades. Noise and distortion levels are so low as to be inconsequential, and the amplifier has the speed, weight and dynamics to compete with far more expensive models, just as its ancestor the 3020 did in its day.
Analog & digital ready
This amplifier is truly ready for the digital age, with a pair of optical digital inputs, coaxial digital in and asynchronous mode USB input that supports 24 bit/96kHz connections and virtually eliminates timing errors and jitter.
Bluetooth audio delivers pure sound from your smartphone via the latest aptX format for superior sound quality and reduced power usage compared to Wi-Fi. The only thing missing is direct Wi-Fi or AirPlay streaming, but you can always add that easily with the various products out there like Apple's Airport Express for around $100.
Analog inputs include a stereo RCA input and a mini-jack input for iPods and other portable devices. A dedicated subwoofer output is provided, as is a dedicated headphone amplifier that delivers the goods to headphone lovers.
NAD D3020 Reviews
There have already been several awesome reviews of the D3020.
Here's a goody from What Hi-Fi: "Meet the new boss". Here's another from the Dutch site
HiFidelity >>
The best part... the price!
The D3020 follows on from its predecessor in being supremely affordable, real hi-fi. It's just $799.
Want more info? Download the
D3020 datasheet
Come in for a play
We've got the NAD D3020 ready for you to put through its paces in our
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane showroom. Come on in and bring some tunes!
