Hi,
My first post at What Hi Fi? (2020) was followed by very useful suggestions, so I'm here again for some light on this impedance issue concerning the NAD 3020 amplifier, specifically the "i" version.
I've just received a second hand NAD 3020i amplifier, bought online. It's in excellent condition, externally, at least. I havn't tested it, yet - I must first take it to a technician to be converted to 110v. That I hope will occur soon. (I don't know any NAD product, but there's not a negative word about the 3020 amps on the web, only positive reviews.) I've been informed by Wikipedia and other sources that the first 3020 version is capable to drive two, and even three pairs of speakers, operating in parallel and presenting an impedance of less than 2,0 ohms! As for latter versions, people say they differ a little from the first, and presumably the best, one. I couldn't find the 3020i owner's manual at internet, nor any official information about its driving capability. Thus, my question is: is it safe to use loudspeakers the above mentioned way, connected to NAD 3020 amplifiers (includind the "i" version, of course) ?
I've been using two pairs of bookshelf loudspeakers (Yamaha 40w max./ Akai 20w max., 6 ohms each), serially connected for safety reasons. They don't sound bad this way, but I'd like to try them in parallel. I must say that I drive those Yamaha and Akai softly, mostly to provide my floorstanding loudspeakers (Polyvox, a brazilian brand from the 70's) with more midranges and trebles, a slightly tighter bass and a larger sonic cupola. Now my plan is to connect the NAD to the bookshelf speakers, while using it as a pre amp for another power stage (Kenwood KA4000) to drive the floorstanding speakers.
I hope I'm not forgetting some essencial information.
Best regards
João Henrique
My first post at What Hi Fi? (2020) was followed by very useful suggestions, so I'm here again for some light on this impedance issue concerning the NAD 3020 amplifier, specifically the "i" version.
I've just received a second hand NAD 3020i amplifier, bought online. It's in excellent condition, externally, at least. I havn't tested it, yet - I must first take it to a technician to be converted to 110v. That I hope will occur soon. (I don't know any NAD product, but there's not a negative word about the 3020 amps on the web, only positive reviews.) I've been informed by Wikipedia and other sources that the first 3020 version is capable to drive two, and even three pairs of speakers, operating in parallel and presenting an impedance of less than 2,0 ohms! As for latter versions, people say they differ a little from the first, and presumably the best, one. I couldn't find the 3020i owner's manual at internet, nor any official information about its driving capability. Thus, my question is: is it safe to use loudspeakers the above mentioned way, connected to NAD 3020 amplifiers (includind the "i" version, of course) ?
I've been using two pairs of bookshelf loudspeakers (Yamaha 40w max./ Akai 20w max., 6 ohms each), serially connected for safety reasons. They don't sound bad this way, but I'd like to try them in parallel. I must say that I drive those Yamaha and Akai softly, mostly to provide my floorstanding loudspeakers (Polyvox, a brazilian brand from the 70's) with more midranges and trebles, a slightly tighter bass and a larger sonic cupola. Now my plan is to connect the NAD to the bookshelf speakers, while using it as a pre amp for another power stage (Kenwood KA4000) to drive the floorstanding speakers.
I hope I'm not forgetting some essencial information.
Best regards
João Henrique