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Re: NAD 3020

Its very hard to go past the NAD 3020.

I have 2 in current use in the house. One is the original 3020 and the other is the later 3020B.

The the 3020 and the 3020B share the following advantages:
- They sound better than any other low cost amp I've listened to and I've heard a lot of them (but not the Marantz). IMHO, they also sound better than any of the later NAD amps with the possible exception of the past few years models.
- They sounded great driving my sister's Paradigm 5SE's and they sound good on my son's Paradigm Esprit's. They will also drive practically any other speaker including speakers that many expensive amps cannot handle.
- There is a strong second hand market and they are more likely to increase in value than drop.
- There is lots of information out there on inexpensively upgrading them.
- The phono stage, preamp and power amp are all surprisingly good for the price. I have at times used a 3020 as an integrated amp, a phono stage, a preamp and a power amp in conjunction with other equipment.

I've noticed the following differences between my 3020 and my 3020B:
- The spring clamps for speaker cables changed to binding posts that will accept banana plugs.
- It is switcheable to accept a MC cartridge. (Probably not a big deal as a decent MC cartridge would cost many times as much as the amp and isn't likely to be in the same system on any permanent basis)
- The Mute switch changed to a Mono Switch
- The sizing of the RCA connections was improved (They are slightly oversize on my 3020)
I think that these are all benefits and I would go for a 3020B if I had a choice between 2 units in perfect condition but as mentioned in another post, condition is everything and I would be very happy to get a good 3020. On second thoughts, if I had a choice between two at a decent price, I would buy both!

You could also consider a 3120 (a 3020B without tone controls and a bit more desireable) or a 7020 (The receiver version)

I hope that this helps, sorry that I am not familiar with the Marantz.

Regards

David


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