NAD D 3020 V2 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier

I inherited a classic NAD 3020i amplifier nearly twenty years ago and it's been the centre of my HiFi system ever since. Warm and lively with a generous bass response it was hard to fault. But time moves on and I thought it was time to replace the old girl with something a bit more up to date. The technological differences between the old NAD and the new couldn't be more stark, but the musical qualities the original 3020 were known for are preserved in the new digital hybrid version, despite the move from class AB to class D amplification. The new amp is clearer and more detailed with a firm and well extended bass but it's still lively and musical to listen to. Here are a few general thoughts: - I tried operating the amplifier on its side, but it got a bit too hot for my taste, even though I'd inserted spacers underneath it to allow ventilation. I think it really should be used in the upright position. The display makes more sense that way. - It has two digital and two analogue inputs, which are just enough for me to plug in my TV, CD player, record player and cassette deck. There is a preamp out which could, at a pinch, be used for recording and a sub-woofer output. Be aware that the main speaker output remains full-range even when the sub is plugged in. You'll need to tune your sub-woofer settings carefully to integrate it correctly with your main speakers. There's a bass boost control for use with very small speakers, but that's the only tone control available. - Bluetooth works well and is fine for late-night listening, but I found that sometimes the Bluetooth source would take over when I was listening to something else. I think it's best to break the connection (but not the pairing) when not using BT. - I tried several times to set it up to turn itself on and switch to optical input when I used my TV's remote, but this feature wouldn't work properly for me. No disaster - it's easy enough to operate the TV and the amp separately and you don't necessarily want full-blown sound when you're only watching the news. - It was only by accident that I found that the seller had inserted a UK mains cable under the packing tray. I was all set to rewire the euro cable that came in the accessory box. It wouldn't have hurt to have put a slip in the packaging telling me where to look. - You can't tune the loading for the phono input. - The volume display on the front panel reaches max when the actual volume is 50% or less. A firmware fix for this would be nice. - It has the world's most easily lost remote. However, it works well enough. - You only get a "getting started" sheet in the box. The actual manual is an online PDF, but you're only likely to need it if you want to change the auto power-off and input sensing settings. For a small-to-medium-sized listening room and reasonably efficient speakers this amp is hard to beat. I'm very happy with mine.

This amplifier filled all my expectations, with one reservation which I’ll come to shortly. I wanted a compact but quality amplifier to play my turntable through since I’ve gone full circle back to my vinyl collection. It ticks all the boxes for sound quality, sonic performance, ease of use, remote control and great design. At the time of purchase it was also some 25% less than when I first investigated it, making it great value for money. There’s several connection options for other items such as CD player, but apart from the Phono input, I am happy to utilise the Bluetooth too. My only reservation - and this has been mentioned in another review - is that the amp seems to lack a ‘full’ sound and a lack of bass unless left to ‘warm up’ for a couple of minutes. It’s obviously not a valve amp so I’m not sure what the reason for this is. However, it’s hardly going to impact my life so I’ll be happy to live with it. Maybe a software fix could be available at some point?

When this arrived it was in a tiny package and when unpacked it was barely bigger than my bedside alarm clock. I did not expect much and though it was easy to set up, the volume was so low that I was all set to return it until..... I found the volume control on the remote was independent of the Bluetooth volume control on my Macbook - ok I admit to not being the most technical person. Our NAD is set up with Q accoustic Concept 20 speakers and stands. After actually working out how to use it, was blown away by the sound, by the intuitive bluetooth and and by the bass boost, wonderful for heavy classical music (Solti Wagner Ring) from older recordings. Also brill not to need a preamp for vinyl unlike the Marantz 611 this is replacing. There are slightly better sounding amplifiers at this price but for those who have finally given in to listening to much of their music streamed, this little box is peerless, easy to use (eventually!) and has a remarkably good sound - where do they put all the gadgetry? Unhesitatingly recommended!!

I bought the amp for it’s diminutive size and Bluetooth streaming functionality, the phono stage was also essential. In that regard, all good, it does exactly what I wanted and it sound damn good. That said, the remote and the touch controls are awful. The volume control doesn’t feel like it’s actually turning, and the volume display is at full when there is still loads of higher volume left. There is a weird click when you first turn it on, and it’s slow to boot up. I tried it upright but the cables coming out of the back were so messy I had to revert to flat which meant new sorbothane pads to lift it off the unit and it does get hot. Honestly I think I’ll be upgrading to the Leak 130 soon.

Fantastic bit of kit. I was bit dubious at first as to whether something that small could really deliver, but it really does. And I'm streaming to it via Bluetooth too. I read a few reviews that suggested NAD had sold out, and the D line just wasn't up to their former glory. So wrong. Technology has moved on apace, and this amp sounds even better than the old NAD valve behemoth that I used to own. I do like my music, and really appreciate quality of sound, and this delivers on so many levels.

Replacing a standard separates Amp which finally died on me after 16 years. I wanted something with lots of features, or small. This is small with Bluetooth - basic and sounds awesome. Wired to some pretty standard 10yr old Gale Bookshelf speakers, the quality at even low volumes outstrips my last amp multi-fold! Remote control is a little... little! needed to update firmware to be able to turn Bluetooth discovery off and some of the functionality around Bluetooth seems like a secondary thought, but setup is easy and sounds great via Bluetooth or through the analogue port (i am generally hooked up from my PC via Analogue). It's also tiny, rather than taking up a shelf, it sits nicely next to one of the speakers... i am sure, after a couple of days sitting still, the sound seems to have become fuller, so may need a little time to settle. It has been commented that the volume shows as full but it is only half which I didn't understand at first, but now i have been pushing the volume up to test, i see the volume lights reach the top, but i can continue to turn the volume dial and it gets louder and louder and louder... very fun indeed, if not a little hidden! Very happy with the purchase.

I bought this amp in order to fulfil a very specific criteria. It needed to be Bluetooth to connect to my phone, have aux in for my vinyl player and have an optical connection for my TV. Previously I had been using a Topping MX3 that did the job but didn't sound great. I had wanted an upgrade for a while but there wasn't really anything that met that spec in the sub £500 region. Then I found this, and it was perfect. Got it hooked up to my speakers and the sound difference was night and day. It looks sleek, sounds great and has all the connectivity I need. Highly reccomend for anyone looking for a one amp fits all solution.

Replacing a decent but old Onkyo AV receiver, I went for the NAD D 3020 V2 and a ‘minimalist’ approach. This can operate as a 2.1 system, so I was foregoing the centre and surround speakers. No regrets, as the sound quality through my Monitor Audio speakers is now exceptional. You are limited in its inputs - two digital, one aux phono and one turntable phono (no HDMI) - and tone controls are just an on/off bass eq button. However, frankly, all of the effort has gone in getting the sound right, so no ‘fiddling’ is needed. The Bluetooth function is a boon, and works well. Playing audiobooks (Audible) and Apple Lossless files from my iPhone has some benefits in convenience; but my CDs have not sounded so good since … the last time I had a NAD amp. In a small room - the studio flat I use for work in the week - the surround sound had a minimal impact; whereas the overall sound from the D 3020 V2 from the TV/Blu-ray/Apple TV 4K digital input is detailed and balanced, and preferred. Recommended, especially if AV is secondary to music listening.