Anyone upgraded from NAD D3020 V2 to NAD D3045?

[sirfabio]

Hi everyone,



I’m currently using a NAD D3020 V2 in my studio setup and I’m considering upgrading to the D3045. I’d love to hear from anyone who has made this switch—was the jump in sound quality and control noticeable? Technically there are improved dynamics, lower noise at ~95–100 dB SNR ...but wondering if this is noticeable and if you heard improvements apart from the higher power.

Here’s a quick overview of my setup:

• Speakers: Q Acoustics 5010 (placed 57 cm apart, on a solid shelf, against the wall)
• Listening distance: ~3 meters, centrally positioned
• Source: Roon (via endpoint), into a Topping D50 III DAC via optical
• Music: Lossless / hi-res via Qobuz or my Roon library
• Cabinet constraints: Limited space and upgrading to D3045 would be the easy solution (even if the dream would be a Naim Atom, I don't mind staying with NAD which never disappointed me and love the auto sense / wake up)

So, I’d be using the D3045’s power amp section only, since I already use the Topping DAC. So I’m particularly interested in improvements in detail retrieval, dynamics, and clarity when using the 3045 as a power amp compared to the D3020 V2.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[Al ears]

Hi everyone,



I’m currently using a NAD D3020 V2 in my studio setup and I’m considering upgrading to the D3045. I’d love to hear from anyone who has made this switch—was the jump in sound quality and control noticeable? Technically there are improved dynamics, lower noise at ~95–100 dB SNR ...but wondering if this is noticeable and if you heard improvements apart from the higher power.

Here’s a quick overview of my setup:

• Speakers: Q Acoustics 5010 (placed 57 cm apart, on a solid shelf, against the wall)
• Listening distance: ~3 meters, centrally positioned
• Source: Roon (via endpoint), into a Topping D50 III DAC via optical
• Music: Lossless / hi-res via Qobuz or my Roon library
• Cabinet constraints: Limited space and upgrading to D3045 would be the easy solution (even if the dream would be a Naim Atom, I don't mind staying with NAD which never disappointed me and love the auto sense / wake up)

So, I’d be using the D3045’s power amp section only, since I already use the Topping DAC. So I’m particularly interested in improvements in detail retrieval, dynamics, and clarity when using the 3045 as a power amp compared to the D3020 V2.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I would suggest, if you are only looking at using an integrated as a power amp you might be better off looking elsewhere. At power amps for example.......

 

[sirfabio]

Good point. I need it to be able to power/wake up automatically through Trigger IN port or music sense (offered from some Cyrus ones), and to go on standby after a certain time. And it needs to have a IR remote, so I can change the volume with the Apple TV remote. They need to stay on my table/media unit (limited space, max 45cm large and max 35cm deep).... NAD D3020 V2 and D3045 I am sure it does it too, I often struggle to understand if some power amplifiers are able to do all of that. Sometimes for instance I see a Trigger IN port but also a big switch to turn ON or OFF the amplifier...so if it is off does the trigger IN work??? Anyway, will check for power amp.
Thanks

 

[nopiano]

I couldn’t say how they compare to your NAD D3020 v2, but if you want compact then several popular ‘chip amps’ fit the bill. I use a Fosi v3 monobloc pair, and originally used the v3 stereo model. Because they have an external power supply the amps are tiny, much smaller area than a CD case, for example. There’s a Wiim Pro just reviewed here https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/wiim-amp-pro but doesn’t seem to have a trigger. My Fosi monos are triggered by the preamp signal, then switch off after about 30 minutes of no signal.

However, I’d look at these new Cambridge models, just announced as they use the superior Hypex modules. https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/camb...rfect-partner-to-the-five-star-mxn10-streamer

Note trigger input, and loop, whatever that means.

 

[James105]

Good point. I need it to be able to power/wake up automatically through Trigger IN port or music sense (offered from some Cyrus ones), and to go on standby after a certain time. And it needs to have a IR remote, so I can change the volume with the Apple TV remote. They need to stay on my table/media unit (limited space, max 45cm large and max 35cm deep).... NAD D3020 V2 and D3045 I am sure it does it too, I often struggle to understand if some power amplifiers are able to do all of that. Sometimes for instance I see a Trigger IN port but also a big switch to turn ON or OFF the amplifier...so if it is off does the trigger IN work??? Anyway, will check for power amp.
Thanks

The trigger in will turn the amp on/off with the preamp (or the component its connected to), this will normally over ride the "soft" on/standby button on the amp, music sense will turn the amp on when it detects a signal but will rely on the auto power off to switch it off after being idle for a set amount of time, the on/stand by button will still work so you can also turn it on off with that.

 

[sirfabio]

I couldn’t say how they compare to your NAD D3020 v2, but if you want compact then several popular ‘chip amps’ fit the bill. I use a Fosi v3 monobloc pair, and originally used the v3 stereo model. Because they have an external power supply the amps are tiny, much smaller area than a CD case, for example. There’s a Wiim Pro just reviewed here https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/wiim-amp-pro but doesn’t seem to have a trigger. My Fosi monos are triggered by the preamp signal, then switch off after about 30 minutes of no signal.

However, I’d look at these new Cambridge models, just announced as they use the superior Hypex modules. https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/camb...rfect-partner-to-the-five-star-mxn10-streamer

Note trigger input, and loop, whatever that means.

Yep. The Fosi doesn't have IR and neither HDMI, I could keep it at fixed volume but the Topping D50 III, as pre-amp DAC, seems to have a proprietary IR and Apple TV doesn't support it.

I saved the Cambridge Audio MXW70 and the new Quad 3. As they're still not available, I keep going ahead with my investigation.

 

[sirfabio]

The trigger in will turn the amp on/off with the preamp (or the component its connected to), this will normally over ride the "soft" on/standby button on the amp, music sense will turn the amp on when it detects a signal but will rely on the auto power off to switch it off after being idle for a set amount of time, the on/stand by button will still work so you can also turn it on off with that.

Thanks James for the explanation.

 

[Integralista]

Hi, I will wait a bit for a new Cambridge Audio MXW70. I think this will be a sonic star of the group here and very good partner for Q Acoustic 5010 bookshelfs which you are using. BR.

 

[nopiano]

Yep. The Fosi doesn't have IR and neither HDMI, I could keep it at fixed volume but the Topping D50 III, as pre-amp DAC, seems to have a proprietary IR and Apple TV doesn't support it.

I saved the Cambridge Audio MXW70 and the new Quad 3. As they're still not available, I keep going ahead with my investigation.

The new Quad 3 of course looks terrific, if you like their industrial design - which I always did! But for outright performance the Cambridge will likely be very good, especially for under £500.