• NAD delivers the next 3020

We’ve taken to referring to the Sound+Image award-winning C 338 Chromecast-equipped amplifier as the true successor to NAD’s world-busting history of ‘3020’ amplifiers through the years. But of course NAD has its own D 3020, for which it has just announced a new ‘V2’ generation.

For such a modern looking thing, NAD has made interesting choices with the new version, and it’s worth studying the available inputs carefully to make sure they’ll meet your needs. The previous generation had a USB-B socket to play files direct from computer — but that’s now gone, to be replaced by… a phono stage for turntables! This adds to the onboard Bluetooth (with aptX), one analogue line-level input, and one each of optical and coaxial digital inputs. It retains the trigger and subwoofer outputs of the original, and adds a pre-output allowing a later power upgrade to be made.

In contrast the more conventional-looking C 338 pretty much doubles up on each input type, and adds Chromecast. The C 338 offers 50W of the same HybridDigital UcD power, compared with the D 3020 V2’s 30W per channel — remembering these are NAD watts, with NAD delivering if anything understated figures, compared with the usual exaggerations!

But the D 3020 V2 is the more economical option, both in terms of desk space, and pricing. Indeed in the US it is US$100 less in RRP than the original D 3020 at US$399 (we await Australian pricing), two-thirds the price of the C 338, which is $999 here in Australia.

So think what you need, check your funds, and choose accordingly. We look forward to hearing how it performs.

More info: www.convoy.com.au