Description
Key Features
The 3020’s reputation is built on a fully discrete circuit design, using individual transistors rather than integrated circuits throughout, an approach NAD’s engineers favoured for sound quality even at this modest price point. Despite a modest on-paper rating of 20 watts per channel into 8 ohms, the amplifier was engineered with genuinely robust current delivery, allowing it to drive difficult, low-impedance speaker loads far more confidently than its power figure alone would suggest — the trait most responsible for its outsized reputation. The phono stage accepts moving magnet cartridges as standard, and the preamp-out/power-amp-in facility on the rear panel allows the unit to be split and used flexibly within a larger system: as a standalone preamplifier feeding an external power amp, or with its own power amp stage driven from an external source, including the option to run parallel amplifiers from the same preamp stage.
Technical Specifications
(Source: HiFi Engine — NAD 3020 documentation; period specification listings cross-referenced against HiFi Engine’s manual archive)
- Type: Stereo integrated amplifier, discrete circuit design
- Power output: 20 watts per channel into 8Ω (continuous, both channels driven)
- Frequency response: 10Hz–70kHz
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.02%
- Damping factor: 55
- Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM phono), 150mV (line)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 75dB (MM phono), 110dB (line)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 420 x 96 x 240mm
- Weight: 5.26kg
- Year of Production: from 1978
- Country of Origin: Designed in Canada, manufactured in Taiwan/Japan (varies by production run)
Important Owner’s Notes
This amplifier is now several decades old. As with any vintage electronics of this age, the internal electrolytic capacitors are a wearing part and will, over time, benefit from renewal (“recapping”) to restore the amplifier to full original specification; while this unit has tested correctly, this is worth being aware of as a long-term maintenance consideration on any 3020 of this vintage, and we’re happy to advise further if useful.
Why Buy From Us
With over 40 years of experience in the Hi-Fi industry, we are well placed to assess and test equipment of this type. Every item we list is fully inspected and tested before sale — this unit was checked and tested by Andrew in our workshop.
When you buy from us you can expect:
- Full inspection and testing prior to listing — not simply a visual check
- A 3-month guarantee on every item we sell
- Transparent descriptions with no omissions
- Professional packaging to ensure safe delivery
- After-sales support available by phone or email should you have any questions
Summary
A genuinely excellent-condition example of one of the most important amplifiers in hi-fi history, complete in its original box and fully tested. This is a single-unit listing. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions prior to purchase.
