Is Hi-Fi sound quality actually that much better than it was 10-20+ years ago?

[chebby]

NAD really cheapened out on the 3020 build compared to the 3030. However, all voices say the followup simply sounds better.

Yeah my girlfriend and I had many a session crawling around on the floor to find source selection buttons that had pinged off the front panel! Still sounded amazing and both amps survived long enough to be sold intact (including errant buttons).

I'd buy one now if I could find a 'time machine' example.

 

[insider9]

Yeah my girlfriend and I had many a session crawling around on the floor

Difficult not to be nostalgic

 

[Vladimir]

NAD really cheapened out on the 3020 build compared to the 3030. However, all voices say the followup simply sounds better.

Yeah my girlfriend and I had many a session crawling around on the floor to find source selection buttons that had pinged off the front panel! Still sounded amazing and both amps survived long enough to be sold intact (including errant buttons).

I'd buy one now if I could find a 'time machine' example.

They don't age that well... I've cleaned a few to rid of dirt in switches and pots. It helps but they deteriorate badly. Not much you can do to a worn out carbon track and foil thin wiper. Eventually I gave up looking for one in immaculate condition.

 

[BigH]

Interesting poll outcome on PFM.

I had the NAD 3030 which was not great.

Did you have it from new and what were the obvious shortcomings?

The 3030 pre-dated the 3020 (despite the mis-leading nomenclature) and was not really in the same league despite costing more and having fancy meters.

True. Meters were basically useless and added to the cost.

I never did like the meters, seem to be trendy these days.