Is a NAD 3020 a worth while compromise ??????

[Razzler]

Hi There

I was reccomened the Naim Nait 5i yesterday with B&W 685's as a reasonable set up. I have been offered a NAD 3020 for a very very good price, how would you say this compares to the Naim, would it be worth saving on the amp and paying more for speakers etc.

Any advise welcome

 

[Anonymous]

naim, naim, naim, naim

 

[Anonymous]

Nope. The Naim will thrash (forgive the terminology) the 3020, and the 3020 was a very good amp in its day. The B&W 685s are as good as it gets for under £500 anyway - just make sure you are feeding it with a fairly good source - think £250 CD player or £300 turntable.

 

[Anonymous]

Aren't these 2 amps in entirely different leagues.... in terms of target market, power output and general quality? That isn't meant to sound sarcastic.. I genuinely would like confirmation (I know little about the Naim).

If so, there must be a pile of other amplifiers available cheaply which would kick the ass out of the 3020?!

 

[Anonymous]

I owned a version of the NAD3020 about 5 years ago, I now own the Naim. To compare them would be to compare Johnny Vegas and Frank Sinatra.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Totally in agreement - no comparison. None at all. The Nad is a budget amp, that would retail somewhere around the £100-120 mark today - the Naim is a mid-range item nearer £700.

Saying that, the NAD will still provide a nice sound, and if it's cheap then I would probably still get it (maybe as a spare, or for a second system somewhere else in the house), but if you can afford (and justify) the extra expense on the Naim, then there is no decision to be made!

 

[Anonymous]

You're comparing a Nissan Micra to an M3.