Well, you have admit a NAD 3020 integrated amplifier is a little different than a NAD 1020 pre amp.
Still, it costs 4-5 times a TC 750, not so low cost, in my opinion.
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The 'best' budget phono stage.
- Thread starter catman
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Well, you have admit a NAD 3020 integrated amplifier is a little different than a NAD 1020 pre amp.
Still, it costs 4-5 times a TC 750, not so low cost, in my opinion.
RamblinE
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Bros, I think the TC-754 makes a great phono stage.
However, it may have just been me but when I tried to use the other three inputs and the volume pot to use the unit as a preamp I found the sound underwhelming. Much more depth and fidelity when it's being used solely as a phono stage. When used as a preamp the pot's gain was not linear and the output of line-level sources sounded thin and flat. The BAD kind of flat. Just a heads up in case anybody is thinking about using the TC-754 as more than a phono stage.
Again, as a phono stage, I'm quite content with it.
However, it may have just been me but when I tried to use the other three inputs and the volume pot to use the unit as a preamp I found the sound underwhelming. Much more depth and fidelity when it's being used solely as a phono stage. When used as a preamp the pot's gain was not linear and the output of line-level sources sounded thin and flat. The BAD kind of flat. Just a heads up in case anybody is thinking about using the TC-754 as more than a phono stage.
Again, as a phono stage, I'm quite content with it.
Hmmm. Maybe my age shows. Pre-amp and phono stage to be able to use a normal line in with an MM cartridge means the same thing to me. It preamplifies the low MM signal so that it is compatible with a line in (aux or tape) input. I would never ever contemplate using a TC-750 to power a power amp.
RamblinE
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The TC-754 has a gain pot like the TC-750 which controls not just the gain on the mm phono output but also on the output from the three line-level inputs built into the unit.
Let me change from saying "preamp" to "line-stage source selector". It's a great sounding phono stage and a terrible sounding line-stage source selector.
The 'best' budget phono stage
In budget phono preamps I have the TC 760 and Art DJ phono pre, both are OK entry level. Both have upgraded P/S. A huge leap over these is a Hagerman Bugle the bare board is 29.00 USD parts 30.00, did get some sample OpAmps are OPA 2111. I use larger 14.4volt batteries from a couple of tools. I run this through 2ea Art Tube MP studio amps about 30.00 USD ea, one per channel. I use them as a tube line amps very good sound for low cost.
Regards
Tom
In budget phono preamps I have the TC 760 and Art DJ phono pre, both are OK entry level. Both have upgraded P/S. A huge leap over these is a Hagerman Bugle the bare board is 29.00 USD parts 30.00, did get some sample OpAmps are OPA 2111. I use larger 14.4volt batteries from a couple of tools. I run this through 2ea Art Tube MP studio amps about 30.00 USD ea, one per channel. I use them as a tube line amps very good sound for low cost.
Regards
Tom
G'day all, those NAD phono stages were actually very nice with a very textured/rich but smooth and laid back sound.
I actually repaired a similar model for a friend that had a blown transistor in the power supply circuit. All fully discrete transistors as well, although the circuit seemed unnecessarily complex in some respects. It worked very well though. :yes: Regards, Felix aka catman.
I actually repaired a similar model for a friend that had a blown transistor in the power supply circuit. All fully discrete transistors as well, although the circuit seemed unnecessarily complex in some respects. It worked very well though. :yes: Regards, Felix aka catman.
Understand, but don't understand why anyone would want to dirty up the output from a line level device which is optimized for a line level input. As they say forget about it.
RamblinE
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I discovered this the hard way after buying the 754 a few years back thinking it would be an incredibly cheap solution to not having a preamp.
I test phono preamps for customers. The phono inputs to my amps are very good so I don't use them myself. The TC 750 has been the best price/performance one I have found. Of course there are far better ones but they cost a great deal more.
leesonic
Captured on security camera...
A little different, but only a little bit. A 1020 is a 3020 without the power amp section of the board being populated, a smaller transformer, and no power level meter. Early 1020s still have all the copper tracks, so it's entirely possible to make a 3020 from a 1020. Later ones don't have the copper tracks, but still have the holes drilled in the board.
As for cost, you can get a non-working 1020 for upwards of $20. Usually the problem is the power switch, which is another $5-10. Recapping them is under $20 for parts, even if you replace some of the critical caps in the phono stage fr films.
Lee.
If kits are included, I choose the BHL phono stage to replace a CA 640P, no feedback jFet running from SLA batteries, was no contest for my tastes.
The CA had lots of upper detail, enough to hurt. The BHL stage had better bass, mids and enough upper detail for my tastes, there was nothing the CA had over it... in my view.
YMMV
The CA had lots of upper detail, enough to hurt. The BHL stage had better bass, mids and enough upper detail for my tastes, there was nothing the CA had over it... in my view.
YMMV
@leesonic ....I just received a NAD 1020B preamp to mate up with my Proton D1200 Power amp (Got tired of waiting for a Proton preamp to show up on BT)....anyway, overall I like it. But it seems the treble is a tad sharp w/sibilance and the bass is a bit muddy...not overall, as oddly enough the bass is generally tight, but there are certain frequencies in the low bass that seem a tab boomy and exaggerrated...like around in the 100-50hz area. Long story short, I figure why not recap (I hear there aren't a lot of caps to replace although ya nee to be careful in a sense I've seen instances of the solder pads coming loose when some attempt to do this).....and you seem to be the expert in recapping the NAD 1020....I'm looking for a caps part list to order for my recap o the 1020B. Could I get one from you? And also, whatever caps upgrades or type/brand of caps you've had success with in the NAD 1020B....it would be much appreciated. Thanks, Eric.
polypetalous
Super Member
Awww man...
Nothing to add, just thought for a minute CATMAN was back...
Hope he is all good where ever he be.
sorry for pointless post...back to the zombie thread resurrection.
Ben
Nothing to add, just thought for a minute CATMAN was back...
Hope he is all good where ever he be.
sorry for pointless post...back to the zombie thread resurrection.
Ben