I would like to hear a Dynaco ST70,I have an Antique sound labs 1003dt and I bet its similar.
The piece of gear that really floored me was an old Accuphase E-202 integrated(besides the nad)that was a revealation to me..that got megoing on an Accuphase jag for awhile until I got the tube bug. I just picked up some Braun L1030 speakers at st vincent de paul for 8 bucks and some change lol,and they have got to be some of the best speakers I have ever heard.AND THEY LIKE TUBES, WOOHOOO!!!
It would be fun to have a contest in my area of the best thrift store system put together in one years time...
Theres nothing like cheap good stuff!
Kind of like when I used to smoke,other peoples cig were just better..hehe |
The NAD is definitely up there.
However, my vote goes to the Dynaco ST70. |
Deal of the century in my humble opinion....the humble Nait 1, the original. A whopping 18 (or was it 15) watts per channel. 1 volume knob. Amazing speed and clarity. Even today, it sounds more than respectable. I had mine plugged in '84, unplugged in '94 when I sold it, went on to XXXX-times the price amps (including some overpriced Simaudio components)...and regretted selling the little black bugger ever since. It was ALWAYS on, always ready to deliver, and sounded more like a 60 watter because of it's high current output. As good as the NAD 3020 was, that little Naim was and still is in a league by itself. |
Hey McGarick -- go figure. I had a NAIT3 -- perhaps the least well loved of the Naits -- for years. Getting it was was the first or second most impressive change in my audio evolution ever, and it taught me just how involving and compelling reproduced music could be. Wish I had another! |
I thought the NAD had much better weight and magic tone, where the Nait was more detailed but sterile and thinish,no suduction effect at all,think paper-airplane...
I don't know what the big deal is with the naits,I have good sources and many speaker to try with amps..I think the advent 300 is a better piece than the Nait also. With all the cheap tube gear around,thats the way to go these days anyway,think 6L6 amps.Now we are talkin musicality. |
I once owned both the Nad and Nait. For me it would be the original Naim NAIT, all 15 watts of it. A tiny box with huge, lively sound. |
Mc.....if you look this thread is going on 3 years old and has not been peplied to in 2.5 years. |
The NAD 3020 magic is that it is VERY musical,unlike most Audio, old or new.
Don't buy one that says "series twenty"
I liked the 3020 better than the Nait 2 and many other units...
Magic midrange it has... |
I will try to get him to get after an integrated Audio Refinement Amp/CD. |
They cost less than $200 back in '80.......so they can't be worth much now. The switches became intermittent with age, and as the caps dried out, they developed instability problems. Part of the reason it sounded good was the voltage gain stage of the power amp was run off of a regulated supply. |
I guess I am asking for the price they are selling for used, $100 give or take, is there anything out there that might get my brother started. We will be going with a cheap all in one player, a integrated, and some enty level speakers with a goal of about $300.00.
From there I will let him decide. His room is a small block room if I remember. He is a resident director of the Men's Dorn at a small Bible college.
If there is any way to get him going for about the same as the NAD I am all ears.
I have never heard a NAD before, and thank you for your insight. |
Nice, you have to love it when that happens. I set a friend up with a NAD 320BEE and a Pair of the EPOS ELS-3's. The combination was fantastic and all for $450.00! Anyway, that is just one example but you can make your $$$ go along way performance versus dollar here on Audiogon.
Good Luck and Seasons Greetings!!
Chris |
3020 was certainly a "milestone", but given a stated budget today, one can do better...especially in the used market. What is his budget and what will be his prefered source(s)? What will his listening area be like? Merry Xmas! |
As a value I agree it's good to begin with, but it doesn't have a slam and controll. It's simply too shy.
He'd be more impressed with old used Bryston for the same buck. |
