2. amps-preamps
  3. 1118142012

NAD 3140 - I know nothing

I have just bought this NAD 3140 integrated amp and know nothing about it at all. In fact, I know nothing about hi fi at all, but I love well-reproduced music (jazz, classical, really old blues and other American "roots" music, and lots more besides), so I want to start learning. Unfortunately, my budget is extremely meagre.

I've searched around on the 'net and found references to a legendary NAD 3020 and a few others. They all seem to be well thought of, but nothing about this one, even specifications - and I don't even know how many watts output it has!

What I'd be most gratful for would be recomendations for cheap old speakers to match it, and a tuner too. Because I've read that CD players are more likely to be faulty, I've been thinking of using a new DVD player with it to play CDs (and kill two birds with one stone - I'll be able to watch DVDs too) - is that a good idea?

Just can't seem to get this kind of advice down here in New Zealand!
wetagogo

Showing 4 responses by bigtee

bigtee
803 posts
 
This was a 40w / ch unit but it had about 3-5db of headroom making it sound more powerful than it really was. I also think it (if memory serves) was a dual mono with separate power transformers for the output stages and a preamp transformer. Well built little unit.
As for speakers, I was using it with the "Large Advent" speakers. It made nice sound. I used a Dual 1229 turntable with a Shure V15 Type III cartridge and a NAD 4020 Tuner.
I sold this unit a bunch of years back but still have my original 3020. This unit sounded like a more powerful 3020.
NAD is a good starting point. I don't know too many who have not owned a NAD or two! Find you a nice economical pair of speakers and a NAD tuner. Nice little system on the cheap.
bigtee
803 posts
 
I agree with Veroman, there's nothing wrong with NAD CD players and they will, IMO, deliver better CD sound than the DVD players everyone likes to tout(even the expensive ones sound poor to me.)
NAD had some problems with the 502 and 512 series. The display bulbs would burn out(actually an easy fix.)Other than that caveat, they were damn good sounding and dependable(especially the 512.) Cambrige Audio makes a couple of decent players. Marantz made several low cost players that were decent. Lot of choices in this.
As for speakers, NHT made some very good sounding ones like the 2.5 and 2.5i. There's tons of choices in the low budget area that give satisfactory performance.
bigtee
803 posts
 
Look for a restored pair of older Large Advents or a pair of Dynaco A-25's. They can be found on E-bay fairly regularly. Good sound on the cheap. Might as well keep it old! Make sure the surrounds on the Advent woofers have been replaced (most have.) The Dynaco is a fine speaker and held up well. A nice pair is really something. They are not quite as big as the Advents but boast about as good bottom end. An overall fine speaker. I owned both of these back in the late 70's and early 80's (about the same time as the 3140.)
bigtee
803 posts
 
The lab input does away with some high and low filters it uses in the normal setting. Lab gives the widest band response.
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