Wow another very interesting review Kelvin. You are perfectly right. The NAD 3020 pre amp section has some magic. Well, many yrs ago, i was invited to a friend’s plc to listen to his so called hi end system. That setup consisted of Harbeth C7 spks, Bryston 4b power amp & a rather expensive Passlab pre amp. There were 5 of us in that room & somehow the music sounded a little lacklustre & uninvolving, though overall very refined. Then somebody in the group suggested swapping out the pre amp for a NAD 3020 using the NAD as a pre amp. Immediately after the NAD was inserted into the system, my old my, feet were tapping, heads were nodding. The NAD as a pre amp simply transformed the whole system. Made it so much more open, musical & involving compared to the expensive Passlab pre amp. But of cos, the passlab was more refined but it was dead, foggy & uninvolving as hell. Everyone in the room were totally shocked at the outcome. Nobody expected an old vintage NAD could outpace a super hi end Passlab but it did. And by quite a huge margin mind you.

Nad: Preamp section is lovely and simple with just 3 transistors per channel. Reminds me of old Luxman pre circuits. Linn: They use a digital chip to do volume levels, and have a good few cheapo opamps in the circuit. Often leads to a lean, clean sound but as you say this kills the magic. I used to chase the detail dragon and wanted ALL the dynamics. Having had that, all I want now is to bask in music like a sunset - a perfect analogy Kelvin!

So great to have you back, regularly Kelvin. Just saying... This one looks fun!

Great video Kelv. Despite years of doing this we always find everyday is a school day. Good to have you back regularly. Cheers. Matt

🤗THANKS KELVIN ,FOR DOING A COOL😎 SERVICE FOR THE AUDIOPHILE COMMUNITY 👍💚💚💚

Thanks for the comparison. It is also interesting how Croft pre amp would do with Nad 3020 amplifier section 🙂

Another great discussion, cheers -- my impression of the beginning of Charlie Don't Surf is that the swirling sound functions to recall that rotating helicopter-blades sound in the opening scene of Apocalypse Now

Croft were indeed hand built and designed by the late Glenn Croft. It was his wish that the products die along with him and that the company name should not continue.

Another storming review Kelvin, thanks for reviewing these it’s been really interesting and engaging

Magic and perfection are often two very different things. I'll say; Always go for the magic. You can do without some details etc. but you can't do without the chill down your spine, or the hairs rising on your arms.

😊Great video! I have also gone down the mix and match approach with my vintage system. I am currently using the pre-amp section of a NAD 3155 with the power amp section of a Sansui AU-317. To my ear this combination has a bit of magic. My best description of the sound is as follows: The sound of the Sansui by itself is like a un-retouched photo of your favorite Kardashian sister. Very pretty, soft and voluptuous on top and through the middle with an ample, perhaps a bit flabby bottom end. With the NAD preamp, it is like that photo has been passed through a photoshop filter prior to being posted on the internet. Her makeup is now perfect, The top and middle remain voluptuous but are a bit perkier and well toned. The bottom end remains ample but is firmer and all the cellulite has been removed.

Always enjoy watching your reviews of vintage equipment, well done

you could put a flat wide elastic band around the croft volume knobs, then just move one knob after you've adjusted it will move both knobs.

Brilliant Kelvin just bang on the money. So pleased you are back to help us all. I remember the weird separate volume controls on Croft.

Always fantastic information, thanks Kelvin. it's a pleasure following you.

Yes Kelvin, bang on, love the vids. They are a sweet glacier cherry on a posh vanilla ice cream for the weekend.

That Blondie track is a hidden gem. Never heard it before. Nice one, Kelvin 👍

Not all of us are really able to try out different amps and speakers which is why your advice is so valuable Kelvin, saying that i find trying a new piece of gear a bit nerve racking in case an expensive mistake has been made, everything can sound great until the record is changed and then it's kind of back to square one! If one can find a happy medium for different records all well and good but i find having two different amps useful (one for bright sounding records and one for modern less brittle or bright sounding records) and the ability to swap them around depending on the source record or to change from vinyl to CD, i am currently using a NAD 3020 and a Rega Brio with B&W 602 S2 speakers which seems to cover all bases to a good degree.

As always a great take love the nad combo time .all the best Kelvin

Love the way you explain the sound . Looking forward to the next review 😊

I loved the punchy sound of Linn products from the 90's I wonder how they compare to today's linn gear?

Kelvin, great video! I had a NAD 3020 and an Advent 300. They were around $200 new here. Both had fantastic preamps. Especially the phono sections. I used them both to front end a Hafler DH 200 power amp. They were great. The two of them gave out about them same time in the early 2000s. If they had failed today, I would’ve had them fixed.

The music hall 25.2 headphone amp with real preouts is a hidden gem for $399. It's got tubes. Sounds fantastic when used as a preamp.

Kelvin, this is probably my favourite video of yours to date. It was a very useful discussion with great information, and presented in your usual no-nonsense and charming way. I totally agree with your preferences as you describe in this video. As I get older (and after being in this hobby for over 40 years), although I appreciate the detail and capability of modern, revealing equipment, I often prefer a warmer and more musical sound, which includes low frequencies washing over me, but without being overdone. The way you describe 'bathing' in the sound is right... You want the sound waves to wash over you. And synergy is absolutely key. Linking together a bunch of good gear that doesn't necessarily complement each other is pointless. Anyhoo, great vid! Cheers from Toronto, CA

I remember sitting next to David Soul on the Catford one way system , He turned and looked at me with the coolest smile, I then shouted to my mum (who was driving because I was about 8 years old) and said " MUM HUTCH IS NEXT TO US! I seem to remember he was driving a MK1 Capri which would be about right as it was super cool back then and would have been in character for him. No sign of Starsky though and David used the door to get in and didnt slide across the bonnet either.

That’s exactly what you’re looking for the music just washing over you happy days indeed And all your thinking about is the next artist that complements the music that’s playing

Your right kelvin sometimes too much detail is hard to listen too for a long time

Those lava lamps got my attention good reviews thanks

Thumbs UP .....the right attitude .......nothing against detail as long as it is part of the coherent experience of listening to the music . Whenever one STOPS analyzing the sound and forget the amplifier/system because the music scucks you into it ....then you have a good system/amplifier....and the magic of the music let you forget that it is HIFI ! Many modern high end is filled with high performance details , pin point imaging and so many called other audiophile " qualities " ...but the magic does NOT work.......... thanks for sharing.

Excellent video, I have a NAD preamp (new in 2000) and a pair of Meridian 105 Mono Block power amps (3rd hand around 2010). The combination works very well - and it sings even better since I got a IFi AC purifier, which is a very effective way of cleaning your mains up.

Bass is the foundation. Without good bass I have trouble connecting to the music. It remains in my head instead of flowing into the body. Currently using a class A headphone amp (Aune s17 pro) as a pre-amp into the Sansui AU-317. Sounds great. Before that I was using an Adcom pre-amp gpt-500 (because the pre-amp section of the 317 has gone wonky) That sounded a bit flat, so I was using the loudness all the time until I inserted a tube buffer between it and the AU-317 power amp. Then it sounded great again. Maybe an idea for the Linn.

So true about chasing detail. Good to hear that spoken aloud. I have to remind myself that if I'm listening less often, the last change to my system is a step back. It's a hard pill to swallow when I've spent a lot on something I really enjoy the sound of my NAD 7020 and 7000. I think vintage NAD stuff is still great sound for the money

I am currently using the 3020's pre into a Quad 303 to drive a pair of Quad ESL 57s, loving the result.

Interesting thoughts and musings, I am not unsurprised by the NAD/Naim combo working well together, they are both around the same era I believe, Linn/Naim is a well known combination so again there is some compatibility. Your opinions are great but everyone needs to use their ears and not assume that what works for you will work for them. Nice video.

Love these reviews class

Kelvin is the first person to finally crack the code of how to talk about hifi in a way that actually makes sense

Thanks for this video kelvin

Just listened to Blondie's Man Overboard on my 4 way Bang and Olufsen S60 speakers and Sony amplifier + passive subwoofer, very nice sounding :)

A Krell KRC-3 pre can be had for about £1500. Works well into my bryston 4BSST.

thanks to kelvin for highlighting "man overboard" by blondie. a great tune that i had overlooked. one nice touch is the "girl group" harmonies by ellie greenwich on it. i think the whole new wave era is ripe for reexamination. it really brings me back to those years which i spent in boston and nyc.

One amp/receiver I'd love to see you get your hands on is the Goodmans one ten. Talk about sleeper! I e sold so many amps and I've always kept this. Its just got so much grip and excitement! I even bought a Sugden because of how much you love it, it didn't hold a candle to the Goodmans. You can grab them for next to nothing. Please reach out to your London friends and see if you can get one. Works amazing with big 3 way speakers. All the best 👍😁

Side track a bit... Kelvin, I picked up an all original AU101. After cleaning switches and pots, it's been playing just fine. Really love the cap coupled sound, and it's very similar sounding to my AU 222.

I think maybe you got wrong with the croft. As i have the croft phono integrated amp which is the combination of this preamp and mosfet power amp and its amazing warm and lush amplifier. But the character of the amplifier is dominated by its preamplifier wich is the same as this one (and yes indeed it's point to point assemby which is the best for tubes) , its character is defined by the tube you are using and the difference is immense, i tested some tubes and each time i got different results , it's like you bought totally different amplifier, it can be big lus and warm sound and it can be analytical and resolving or in other tube fairly balanced and natural sound . You didn't mention which valve is use and it's age (aging tube can sound lifeless and anemic). Croft amplifier is an amazing amplifier and can compete with those costs several times, i don't regret at all buying it ! Whant change mood for a while? Change the tube ,i tried 6 different tubes (just one for the line input or two for phono input. For its price it's super.

You gotta love him!

Great video!

And, some may scoff, but differences in interconnect cabling can highlight many aspects of sound quality as well. When one has succeeded in finding, and dialing in that CORRECT “b a t h i n g” balance that tags all those sonic pleasure centers, the search is complete. You’re no longer listening to the system. You’re listening to the world’s greatest performances! The RIGHT combinations make it sublime. And thank you for posting.

You have to be kidding me! I just bought that Croft 25 Basic preamp :D .What a coincidence..By the way NAD goes well with almost everything!

I am all in on pre and power, nothing against integrated, but i have a Big room and 3 channels on each side.

Btw I currently have a Pioneer SA 8500ii in my system - out of all the amplifiers I own I think it is the one which most sounds like how you describe the ideal sound - detailed, but bass-forward (the bass is in the room)

Superb! A future KZfaq star in the making

The NAD 3020 has been known to beat used in PA systems to give them that warmth and roundness to the bass and help to calm down the extreme treble of horn and bullet tweeters. The main mixer was fed into the NAD and the NAD fed the crossover for the power amps.

Um loving my 3020i rhanks to you kev,i cannot go thr pre amp route because my other amp is a pioneer sx777,but its worked out ok necause i niw hbe a second system upstarts now,i just need a turntalbe im thinking a nice technics SL D 30,ive definitely caught the bug😂

Hi Kelvin...I'd love to know what you think of the Quad 34/306 combo....I keep going back to it. Certainly not that detailed but you can bask in the music! I used to use NAD 3130 as a pre...fantastic soundstage.

In the meantime I have the sansui au317, the Nad 3020 and the Nad 2100 power amplifier. And the Nad is great, and yet different from the Sansui which is also fantastic.

kelvin's comments about the nad 3020 make me wonder how it compares the still in production nad c 316bee integrated. both were designed by Bjorn Erik Edvardsen. i use the 316bee as my daily driver and have always found the sound to be engaging. unfortunately, it doesn't have preamp outputs.

Try a Sanyo A35 :D Mind blowing vintage amp. I like my music presented the same as you and the Sanyo A35 is amazing for this type of engagement. Highly reccomended.

i own a yamaha ca810 integrated amp pretty good straight sound what do you think of that one?

I recently did a shoot out between 2 receivers - my Miraculous Sansui 4000 ('71, 40 wpc) vs a Pioneer Sx 650 ('76 , 35wpc). The Pioneer sounds louder at lower volume levels. I didnt play either higher than 1/2 volume - mostly, a little higher than 1/4. the Sansui was just a bit warmer and had delicate detail. The Pioneer was very good, but just a bit harsher on vocals and electric guitar. once again, the Sansui 4000 won out. I would be interested in your take on these. I would get a 4000, the 5000 sounds too much like the Pioneer. Neither one has had any upgrades and are original. Enjoyed the tip about Man overboard - sounded good on both systems - good point source stereo imaging. I use both White Bird and Hot summer days by Beautiful Day as test songs. If you can get the vocals, and violin smooth and not harsh, you have an exceptional Amp.

Your 100 percent right 👍

Hi Kelvin 👋 always love your time on Hifi always something new for me to pick up ! I have the Quad 606 power amp and the Sony Str 7055 ... Fidelity L710 speakers ! In your opinion do you feel they might all have the same warmth in sound so maybe too alike each other, if you know what I mean ?! If so what might be a better combo for a small ish room say ? Many thanks again on the great, very informative vid as usual 👍 Zee

Well, you presented your comparison with gear from the U.K. here in Switzerland I have not soo much access to Vintage gear of the U.K. I have a NAD 300, therefore can understand the sound of the 3020.. I have all my loudspeakers from Leak (1965-1975)

🤣🤣🤣Bathing in milk like cleopatra with factor 50 on.🤣🤣🤣 Thinking about any of my kit 🤔and I'm thinking anything that has an opamp is not as pleasing as a basic transistor circuit (I think again you've nailed it).

Still swear by early Sansui. Hard lesson learned - dont just pick up a pair of speakers and connect them! I accidentally hooked 6 ohm speakers into my 8 ohm system. Worked well for a day - then burned out the transistors in my '71 Sansui 4000! its going up for parts. I have taken a chance on a 5000 on ebay but its only partially tested and I may end up with another broken unit .Wish me luck

Getting the pre power right has not been easy for me. I loved the latest quad pre. Bought the matching amp and found the combo too warm and thick with my speakers. Some would like it but not for me.

System synergy is a thing.

after 45 years of buying kit, I never had a pre amp setup.

Listen to Sony V-Fet e.g. TA-5650

Kelvin, thanks for this. Aren't the differences measurable and therefore be explained technically? It probably isn't frequency response or distortion as all the components will have totally flat responses and inaudible levels of distortion. So is it to do with how the negative feedback circuits are designed or the slew rate of the amplifiers? Or is it another parameter I'm missing? I'm sure the differences can be tracked down and measured. Regards.

Thanks for the video. This might be a dumb question but I have never used a power amp before. If I had two NAD 3020 amps, could I use one as a pre amp and the other as a power amp together? Thanks if anyone can answer!

Which loudspeakers did you use for this test, and which are your to go to reference at the moment? I by the way find that your final results depend greatly on the interlinks and speaker cables you are using. I.e. more attack and tighter bass or just the opposite is not so hard to realise switching those cables.

Yes, bathing. I'm not the kind of audiophile who gets off on hearing lip smacks on the mic...😂

Those Croft pre amps go really well with Quad power in my experience. Much better that the Quad pre's. They are indeed hand made and also hard wired, not a pcb in sight. You're absolutely right about the whole/cohesion being more important than detail. Detail without overall cohesion can be fatiguing.

Hideously Ugly (brown-black) little rectangular boxes are an absolute eyesore yett here we are 40 years after the golden age of beautiful receivers singing their praises where the supposedly state of the hobby is at. Overall the pricing scheme is obscene for what is being peddled. No wonder the industry is in the dumps and younger generations flock to dwindling but vintage Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Kenwood, McIntosh and Technics.

Won't be happy until U 😮 aquire revealing speakers W4S 10th edition DAC2V2SE Discrete class A output stages

As much as I enjoy Kelvin's honest opinion on vintage gear, the results of a properly conducted double-blind test would be brutal.

If the source is wrong, then everything else will be wrong!!

im sorry mate, but all the sounds and effects you talked about on the blondie song, I can hear them perfectly on my crapy ratling laptop speakers using spotify