Review on NAD Hybrid Digital Integrated Amplifier by Timothy Barnes

The NAD 3020 v2 Hybrid Digital is a great little amplifier and DAC. Like all NAD devices, it offers good value for money. With a fair 30 W RMS per channel and an oversized power supply, it easily drives bookshelf speakers to room-filling volumes. I have owned quite a few NAD stereo components over the years including the original NAD 3020 from the late 1970's and the latest NAD hybrid digital amplifier worthy of the NAD name. I bought this amp for exclusive use with SuperMicro. PC with Windows 7 Pro and JRiver Media Center software. My Windows PC has an optical S/PDIF output built in, so I used that interface instead of the noisy USB or RCA electrical outputs. The optical S/PDIF interface completely decouples the loud PC case from the sound system. My NAD 3020 v2 Hybrid drives a pair of ELAC B6 Debut Series speakers and the amplifier subwoofer output is connected to a 200W ELAC Debut S10 subwoofer. Sound quality is good, with no hiss or judder typically associated with a USB connection. The amplifier's built-in DAC easily handles high-resolution 24-bit, 192kHz FLAC files. The NAD 3020 v2 Hybrid replaces the old NAD C160 preamp, NAD 912 stereo power amp and Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 100 that I was using. Everything needed to reproduce stereo sound is now managed by one small component instead of a whole array of components and connections. I use my computer to rip FLAC audio CDs which are then uploaded to a network music server for audiophile quality use. Hi-Fi system in my living room. NAD is a great way to listen to CDs while you rip them, as well as listen to them in the office while you work. The optional 6dB bass boost at 80Hz is perfect for small bookshelf speakers that tend to roll off at low frequencies, but if you're using a subwoofer in your system you should definitely omit it. If you are considering buying this amp make sure you buy the newer v2. Preamplifier and RIAA equalization circuit. The v2 also features pre-outs that allow you to connect a more powerful amplifier should you ever want to drive large, power-hungry speakers. The NAD 3020 v2 Hybrid uses Class D power amplifier circuitry. Class D power amplifiers have been beaten by the audiophile press over the years, but the latest Class D amplifier designs don't have the sonic issues associated with earlier Class D circuits D-amplifiers, previously only used for subwoofers, can now be used to supply full-range loudspeakers without any sonic defects. NAD is pretty unique at $399.99. There are other amps out there for the same price, but they don't include all the features that NAD has to offer. A 30W amp per channel, onboard DAC, MM phono preamp, headphone amp, remote control, preamp outputs, Bluetooth aptX interface and multiple analog and digital inputs make this little integrated amp a great value- money. Lover. It can serve as a hub for dorm hi-fi system, home office system, computer sound system or gaming system. You don't want the amp turning off all the time when you're using the computer for anything other than music, and only need to hear the occasional warning beep or error beep. Stereophile Magazine has a good hardware review of the NAD 3020 Hybrid Digital Amplifier. Google "Stereophile NAD 3020" to read the entire review online.