10Bs and new NAD 3020 amp

dbp
dbp Posts: 12
in Vintage Speakers
Does anyone have any experience with driving Monitor 10Bs with the NAD 3020 "hybrid" amplifier? I have used an NAD 7240 for over 27 years with my 10Bs, but I am seriously considering an upgrade to the NAD 3020 for connectivity and new technology reasons. The Polk technician does not foresee a problem, and neither do I give the efficiency of the 10Bs and the fact that the original publications state that they will do with as little as 10 watts of power. A sales person thought that these old speakers might have problems with the new technology of the NAD 3020; probably just skepticism. What have you experienced?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    Answer ✓
    I'm not sure why the salesperson would think that a digital amp would have more of a problem driving a vintage speaker verses a newer one. At 30wpc, you won't be having a rock concert in your house, but it shouldn't have a problem driving the 10B's to reasonable levels.

    I have to say, that's a strange looking amp.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited October 2014 Answer ✓
    I'd be curious to hear a review of that. My old C325bee was only 50 watts a side but could handle most speakers to a point.

    The new NAD has an interesting form factor, more in keeping with Desktop set ups.

    I also agree with Jesse; while I've run my 10s on that kind of power (30 watt x 2 SS amps), they really only start to pound on the Marantz 2265 and can take more than that if I thought they needed it. But my rooms are not HUGE!

    Have fun!

    cnh

    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    Answer ✓
    I'd expect it to be fine, but I would guess (and this is a guess) that the new NAD 3020 doesn't have the "soft clipping feature" that classic NADs did -- it might get ugly sounding if pushed too hard.

    That said, when the 10s were new, it wouldn't have been at all uncommon to see them run on 35 to 50 wpc and occasionally even less. They're a bit more sensitive than 7s (bigger box) and lower impedance, too (well, at least the originals were 6 ohm, vs. 8 ohm for the 7) -- and the 7s were often used with 20-30 wpc with great success.

    11324607964_fc5f4a9661_b.jpgwhatmore by mhardy6647, on Flickr

    The Monitor 7 and the "TwinPower" hk430 @ 25 wpc was a classic pairing in the mid-Atlantic ca. 1977.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    Answer ✓
    "A sales person thought that these old speakers might have problems with the new technology of the NAD 3020; probably just skepticism. What have you experienced?"

    I have experienced sales people.

    I LOVED my NADs.

    You didn't mention if space was a concern so I'll offer this up:
    In the mancave, I have the 7's hooked up to an Emotiva combo of XDA-2 DAC and
    modest XPA-200 amp and I'm happy as a pig in mud. (14 X 18 room w/ too much stuff in it) They are closing out the XDAs at $219.00 and you can get a
    NAD C 316BEE and come close to $500.
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