NAD 3020 / Yamaha RX-V800 - -

paradiddle

Need some advice from the people who know more than me (probably everyone in this forum)

On a whim, I bought a Nad 3020. I wanted to see what it sounded like with my records. I'm over the novelty period, now I'm curious to know whether I should just stick to my present, modern system or incorporate the Nad.

WHich makes the most sense:

1) use it as a pre-amp of sorts, and Yamaha RX-V800 as the amp? (I can do this through pre-outs (NAD) and 6 channel (yamaha)

2) Use the sub as an amp through speaker in/out. (no yamaha)

3) Just use my regular yamaha.

My setup currently consists of:
Nad 3020 / RX-V800
Nad CD/DVD Player
2 x RTi6
1x PSW111

Pictures of the backs:

Yamaha Amp
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8827/rxv800rearmedium.jpg

Subwoofer:
http://assets.head-fi.org/8/8c/8c59dc16_513lKjkTqLL.jpg

Nad Amp
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/5559/ampw.jpg

Tour2ma

First, you can eliminate option #2... the sub's amp is for the sub only.

So that leaves 1 and 3... Which do you like better?

EDIT: Just realized you have an NAD integrated amp (I was thinking pre-amp) and the Yammie 5-ch for a stereo sub/sat rig. Easiest comparison is one or the other.

paradiddle

Tour2ma wrote: »

First, you can eliminate option #2... the sub's amp is for the sub only.

So that leaves 1 and 3... Which do you like better?

EDIT: Just realized you have an NAD integrated amp (I was thinking pre-amp) and the Yammie 5-ch for a stereo sub/sat rig. Easiest comparison is one or the other.

Thanks! The NAD doesn't seem to have enough juice to power the speakers, or get a good volume going, so I hooked it up as a preamp, using the pre-outs. I hooked it directly to the L/R (6 channel) input on the Yamaha, which is direct amplification L/R for the speakers. Essentially making receiver an amplifier.

It seems to sound better when hooked up in this configuration than with the yamaha alone. It's a little warmer, especially with old jazz recordings. (my preference)

When I hook up the Yamaha directly, it sounds a little clearer, only when I use the digital optical out.

I'm using very very cheap RCA cables, so I think if I used some better cables, the clarity wont be an issue.

Any other insights to make it sound better are welcome.

Cheers and thanks for helping

cnh

Neither unit is that powerful. That's an early model NAD, rated at about 20 watts/channel--maybe 40 watts peak!

Later NAD integrateds (that replaced the 3020) have far greater power reserves than that Yammie AVR. Take my C325BEE rated at 50 watts/channel but able to put out a lot more than that when needed and also drive 4 ohm speakers without much of a problem. Rti-6s are not that hard to drive. The NAD 325 would push them to reference volumes!

But that Yamaha should do for now.

cnh

doctor r

The NAD 3020 was the unit that NAD on the map. I used mine with a set of Monitor 7Bs for many years and then did exactly what you are doing i.e. used the pre section through the pre outs to a more powerful amplifier. The pre section kept that warmth I had always liked in the system, and the phono section was not bad either. Of all the equipment I have owned I really miss that one.

paradiddle

cnh wrote: »

Neither unit is that powerful. That's an early model NAD, rated at about 20 watts/channel--maybe 40 watts peak!

Later NAD integrateds (that replaced the 3020) have far greater power reserves than that Yammie AVR. Take my C325BEE rated at 50 watts/channel but able to put out a lot more than that when needed and also drive 4 ohm speakers without much of a problem. Rti-6s are not that hard to drive. The NAD 325 would push them to reference volumes!

But that Yamaha should do for now.

cnh

It says (i know, i know) 100 rms/channel + discrete power rather than IC chips...

Should me more than sufficient, no?
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/stereo-receivers/rx-v800_black__u/?mode=model

ocasinouk

Could someone pls suggest me a trusted online casino?

Tour2ma

^ reported...

Tour2ma

First, that the nad is warmer is no surprise. Yammies tend towards bright.

Second, if the nad ouput was routed though the sub crossed at 90-110 Hz, I'd be surprised if it wasn't sufficient for those 6's... especially for jazz.

If you want to get really wild try this:
- Y-split your nad's pre-outs and remove the 6's jumpers;
- route half though the nad to the 6's HF posts (top);
- route other half to the Yammie and route the Yammie speaker out through the sub to the 6's lower posts...

nad sweetness for the high's Yammie power for the mid's and upper bass...

paradiddle

Tour2ma wrote: »

First, that the nad is warmer is no surprise. Yammies tend towards bright.

Second, if the nad ouput was routed though the sub crossed at 90-110 Hz, I'd be surprised if it wasn't sufficient for those 6's... especially for jazz.

If you want to get really wild try this:
- Y-split your nad's pre-outs and remove the 6's jumpers;
- route half though the nad to the 6's HF posts (top);
- route other half to the Yammie and route the Yammie speaker out through the sub to the 6's lower posts...

nad sweetness for the high's Yammie power for the mid's and upper bass...

Did it. It sounds great! (although pretty close to just using the NAD as a preamp and yamaha to drive)

I need more power though... what do you think of this setup on how I can utilize 4 of the power transistors on my amp (i.e. 200 watts/channel). Tell me what you think of this:

I split L/R going into the amp

L - going into Front + Surround/Rear
R - going into Front + Surround/Rear

Then I hook up my LF/woofers to 6's A/Front; and tweeters HF to surround/rear.

I made a diagram. The question is whether I should keep my jumpers in or not and will it fry my likely non-bridgeable amp...?



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This should give me 200 RMS / channel... maybe a bit too much haha