better or best-Adcom pre/am or NAD 1020a or 1020b

leftwinger57 · July 2016

Finding myself home again w/ the itch of wanting a vintage pre amp i kinda settled on an Adcom model not readily known or my love affair w/ the NAD 1020a pre which was very responsive and did what I needed sans a remote. Cruising E-Bay I noticed a NAD 1020b pre which I never heard of. Any of you out there w/ any experience w/ the B model and how much better could it really be above the A model if at all. Yes I know it also has no remote but if you guys could suggest something in this price range and quality I would be really greatful..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Nad-1020B-Stereo-Preamplifier-W-Original-Box-/331907179851?hash=item4d4735a54b:g:jOUAAOSww9VXhW4d

tonyb · July 2016

You can snag a B&k AV30 pre amp for about 150 bucks. They all come with a remote, connections up the ying yang, and good quality dacs built in.

[Deleted User] · July 2016

The Carver pre's are fun in the right room w/ the right set-up.
Unfortunately, they have a lot of fan$.

I liked the NAD sound but I'm not sure I'd go that way today.
What amp to pair w/?

11tsteve · July 2016

I believe the differences between the A and B models were in the phono stage, and the location of the mm/mc switch.
My 1020 was completely torn apart, recapped, cleaned, and the back panel jacked removed and resoldered. Before restoration, it was a tad muddy and noisy. Now paired with the DNA 0.5, I think I would hard pessed to replace it without spending significant coin, or moving to tubes.
I bought mine 25 years ago, and the refresh was $175, and to my ears, some of the best audio money I have spent.

erniejade · July 2016

Besides what has been mentioned, I am going to throw the Adcom GFP565, Integra p304 or p308, and Kenwood Basic C2 into the ring

leftwinger57 · July 2016

I think I had a lead on a Parasound P-5 I think(not sure of model #) going for $200 from the Klipsch Garage Sale Site a ways back when I had no funds but 2 bills for a unit that did everything plus the remote is a great deal. The Adcoms I do not want a tuner built in at all in any unit and if not going w/ the NAD it must have a remote. I'll still wait and using Heiny's logic do your research as if your life depended upon it and it was your last piece you were going to get. Never a truer a word ever spoken !!!
Thanks for the help and when money is in hand I will and this is a promise to let you dudes know where to steer me...Lew

http://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/parasound-halo-p-5-stereo-preamplifier

leftwinger57 · July 2016

Sorry, I always forget something. I did have an Onkyo P-301. It had all the inputs you could use and I found it's achilles heel was the amplifier output ports would give way and make for a bad connection or throw a channel out right. The P-3150v a more updated version was ok and those motorized volume pots mesmerized me to no end like looking at McIntosh meters of the 2105s or Jerry's 2300s What can I say, it's the simple things in life that turn me on,to be polite......

soundfreak1 · July 2016

Haven't heard the NAD, have heard the adcoms (about 1/2 dozen of them) take the NAD.

RamZet · July 2016

tonyb wrote: »

You can snag a B&k AV30 pre amp for about 150 bucks. They all come with a remote, connections up the ying yang, and good quality dacs built in.

I have one of these, the DAC is awesome.

erniejade · July 2016

200 for a p5 is a bargain!

JPete · July 2016

erniejade wrote: »

200 for a p5 is a bargain!

Yes, yes it is.

better or best-Adcom pre/am or NAD 1020a or 1020b

Comments