{"id":123259,"date":"2021-02-19T10:56:28","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T10:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=123259"},"modified":"2024-02-28T08:13:06","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T08:13:06","slug":"nad-d3020-v2-review-redefines-the-way-we-look-at-amplifiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/hi-fi\/nad-d3020-v2-review-redefines-the-way-we-look-at-amplifiers\/","title":{"rendered":"NAD D3020 V2 : Redefines the way we look at amplifiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The history of the development of the NAD D3020 model is very interesting.\u00a0The engineers strived to create a model that would have the same outstanding sonic performance as the 3020, but with modern realities in mind, in particular the prevalence of digital sources.\u00a0And the first famous NAD technology that comes to mind is Direct Digital, the direct digital amplification found in the Master Series.<\/p>\n

The NAD D3020 is a completely different take on the integrated amplifier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, it is not possible to make such a device compact, and also inexpensive, therefore, only the technologies of a low-noise switching power supply were borrowed from proprietary, fully digital amplifiers.\u00a0The signal part uses an eight-channel Cirrus Logic CS438 * DAC.\u00a0There is no exact information about the chip model, but according to the manufacturer’s specifications, only two chips fit the description: CS4382 and CS4385.\u00a0Both microcircuits are characterized by low noise level (-114 dB) and can work in balanced mode.\u00a0But NAD engineers went further, using all 8 outputs (4 per channel) to further reduce noise and distortion.<\/p>\n

The word Digital in this case means the presence of digital inputs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is followed by an analog part with a high-precision volume control and a pre-amplifier assembled on the basis of LM49860 microcircuits, and a proprietary clipping elimination circuit is installed directly in front of the power amplifier.\u00a0NAD does not manufacture power amplifier boards for this and some other models, preferring to purchase a ready-made solution from the Danish company Hypex.\u00a0They work in class D, but this, I recall, is analog technology, and specifically, the boards installed in the D3020 are also assembled on discrete elements.\u00a0They do not use off-the-shelf PWM chips commonly found in low-cost amplifiers.<\/p>\n

Not like everyone else<\/h2>\n

The simplest solution to gain acceptance for the D3020 would be to place all of the above technologies in a classic case.\u00a0It might even have similarities with the original 3020. But the designers chose the opposite path: the D3020 amplifier is not like classic or modern models.\u00a0He doesn’t look like a representative of the hi-fi world at all.\u00a0This design is more like a game console, a fancy gaming router or a desktop hard drive.\u00a0Only one vertical arrangement of the case goes across all the canons and standards of Hi-Fi design at once!<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

To be fair, I admit that the case allows horizontal installation, but the location of the controls, indicators and the form factor in general eloquently indicate that this is not the main scenario for installation.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if we abstract from the well-established and outdated principles of building Hi-Fi components and Hi-Fi systems in general, it becomes obvious that a small amplifier, and even in a vertical design, takes up a minimum of space.\u00a0This means it can be easily positioned where full-size components are inappropriate or undesirable.\u00a0The most likely scenarios: on a table or on a curbstone in a study, in a living room next to a TV, when used for both music and watching movies, in a bedroom and, in principle, in any other place where you want to install a mini Hi-Fi system with minimal impact on the overall appearance of the room.<\/p>\n

Difficult fate<\/h2>\n

Here we should go on another historical excursion, because these unusual devices with a vertical form factor have been in the NAD range for several years.\u00a0Five years ago, three such components were released at once: the\u00a0first version of the D3020 amplifier\u00a0, the more compact\u00a0D1050\u00a0digital-to-analog converter and the larger\u00a0D7050 integrated amplifier\u00a0.\u00a0Sales statistics and user feedback prompted the company to re-release the D3020.\u00a0It seems that this combination of numbers really plays a special role in the history of NAD.\u00a0Without access to statistics, I can’t say how popular the first version of the D3020 was, but the very fact of the appearance of the D3020 V2 suggests that this model, even if it did not revolutionize the market, was at least able to form and fill its own niche.<\/p>\n

Where is the top?\u00a0Where is the bottom?\u00a0Everything is mixed!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And in light of this, it is especially interesting to trace the differences between the first and second versions.\u00a0In both cases, we have one analog input, both types of SPDIF inputs, as well as a subwoofer output, which allows us to grow a full-fledged triphonic speaker on the D3020.\u00a0Both devices have a headphone output with a 3.5 mm jack on the front, and a 12V trigger input on the back.\u00a0The first version of the D3020 had one more auxiliary input on a 3.5 mm jack, combining both analog and optical interfaces at once, and most importantly, this device was equipped with a USB-B input for connecting to a computer.<\/p>\n

3.5mm jacks helped to accommodate the desired number of inputs and outputs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second version also lost the combined analog-digital input, but received a pre-amplifier output instead.\u00a0The place of the USB-converter was taken by the input of the phono stage.\u00a0The design changes are minimal, but significant in a way.\u00a0Instead of the grip of a ribbed volume control knob, a stylish smooth one with a rubberized coating is used, and the science-like numbers of the output volume level indicator in decibels are replaced with a neutral chain of white LEDs that not only light up one by one, building a chain, but also smoothly change brightness, which makes the indicator informative …<\/p>\n

Top down<\/h2>\n

It was decided to listen to an amplifier so unusual in its essence in an equally non-standard system.\u00a0Instead of the usual cabinet acoustics, a pair of PSB C-LCR speakers built into the ceiling was used.\u00a0It is a square, versatile model designed for both home theater and music playback.\u00a0The front panel of the speaker is recessed and tilted at approximately 45 degrees, which is uniquely useful in minimizing standing waves in the room.\u00a0At the same time, the sound wave arrives at the listening point rather gently, drawing a completely realistic scene.<\/p>\n

Ceiling speakers can sound great too<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With one amendment – the adequacy of the scene construction depends on the position of the listener relative to the place where the acoustics are directed.\u00a0If you move further away, or even better, lie down or lean back in your chair, you get about the same sensations as when watching a movie from the first row of a cinema, when the picture is above your head.\u00a0For sounding a bedroom – ideal.\u00a0Well, if you prefer listening to music while sitting in an armchair, there are similar speakers built into the wall, with which you can get a classic stereo without filling the living space with unnecessary appliances.<\/p>\n

But the most important feature of the PSB C-LCR is that, unlike conventional “pancakes” built into the ceiling, suitable only for background scoring, this model is able to play music in its entirety.\u00a0In terms of accessories and technical characteristics, the PSB C-LCR is the equivalent of the PSB Image series floor stands.\u00a0The same can be said for the character, scale and quality of the sound.<\/p>\n

In the best traditions<\/h2>\n

The first impression can be described in two words: musically and in detail.\u00a0On the album “Riding With The King” all the instrumental parts were legible, on the most vigorous tracks the guitars did not turn into mush.\u00a0At the same time, the nature of the presentation of the musical material successfully combined the natural sounding with the warmth and expressiveness typical of the NAD-PSB combination.\u00a0All the signature vocal and guitar moves of the blues masters have been drawn with a high degree of accuracy.<\/p>\n

The sound of Daft Punk’s hits from the “Random Access Memories” album showed excellent rhythm and very confident bass control, which is difficult to expect from such a miniature amp.\u00a0Pressing the Bass button, which raises the frequency response in the 70-80 Hz region by about 7 dB, did not complicate the load on the amplifier in any way.\u00a0Having become more bass, the sound remains just as clear and controlled.<\/p>\n

The volume knob can be turned safely – the amplifier is muscular and hardy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The theme of rhythm, clear processing of signal fronts and confident bass control was continued by Dire Straits’ Calling Elvis.\u00a0And I really liked how confidently and clearly I played this piece, well known from the first to the last guitar riff.\u00a0The ballad “Fade to Black” from the same Dire Straits album played both soulful and very audiophile, so it was hard to know what was more surprising: expressiveness or resolution.\u00a0The amplifier did not fail in front of complex content either.\u00a0He played classical, free jazz, metal quite honestly, accurately and musically.\u00a0Having gone through a fair number of musical compositions of different genres, I basically did not come across a situation in which the amplifier would show weaknesses.\u00a0In its price category, it is more than good.<\/p>\n

If we draw some speculative comparison with the same NAD 3020 without the letter D, the new device has become more universal in terms of genre, and retained its \u201cNadovian\u201d character exactly to the extent that it is appropriate for a modern approach to music reproduction.\u00a0D3020 makes the sound more expressive and dynamic, but without losing detail and explicit accentuation of one or another part of the reproduced frequency range.\u00a0And of course, the high load capacity has been fully preserved.<\/p>\n

The remote control is modest, without the pathos inherent in classic Hi-Fi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Curiously, the headphone output has largely retained the character of NAD analog amplifiers of yesteryear.\u00a0It gives a darker and thicker sound with a tight, narrow scene.\u00a0At the same time, I was pleasantly surprised by the resolution and the complete absence of audible noise.\u00a0Unlike those headphone outputs, which most manufacturers install in amplifiers solely for show, here we have a quite worthy continuation of the main audio path, which can be used with no less pleasure than any other function.\u00a0The load capacity and power of the amplifier will be sufficient to handle typical dynamic low impedance headphones.\u00a0In addition, the vertical case of the D3020 also turned out to be an excellent stand for overhead and full-size models.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The NAD D3020 V2 amplifier deserves to be called the successor to the classic 3020. It also boasts bold and efficient circuitry, giving it an attractive price-performance ratio.\u00a0But among other things, the D3020 V2 has another important quality: it gives an opportunity to take a fresh look at the question of the design and layout of the stereo system.<\/p>\n

NAD redefines the way we look at the amplifier, literally too<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A second comparison cannot be avoided either: the first and second versions of the D3020 amplifier.\u00a0The design of the new version is, without a doubt, more complete and less intrusive, which makes the integrated amplifier compact and user-friendly device.\u00a0But the changes in the commutation plan were not so straightforward.\u00a0We all know about the popularity of vinyl, which is why the appearance of a phono stage in the list of inputs is welcome, but the price of this innovation, in my opinion, turned out to be too high.\u00a0The first version, thanks to the USB input, was the ideal desktop Hi-Fi for use with a computer, and now the amplifier’s set of interfaces is more reminiscent of the layout of the classic model, installed in a rack with other Hi-Fi components.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The history of the development of the NAD D3020 model is very interesting.\u00a0The engineers strived to create a model that would have the same outstanding sonic performance as the 3020, but with modern realities in mind, in particular the prevalence of digital sources.\u00a0And the first famous NAD technology that comes to mind is Direct Digital, […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":123268,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[778],"class_list":["post-123259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hi-fi","tag-reviews"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123259\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}