I remember the 7020. But I purchased the newer (at the time) 7130. The Amp was still based upon the 3020 design, but pumped up a few watts. I'm afraid that I do not remember how many watts or how much headroom it was rated. If my memory is correct, 35wpc with 2.5 db o headroom.

Weaknesses:
It has an early electronic tuner that started to drift about three years ago (I bought this unit in 1986). The five tuner presets were always too few so the toggle tuner switch was often used. The AM section was always useless. The tape loop was disappointing too. As it got older, the speaker switch and volume switch easily became noisey (cleaned them a lot). Eventually the speaker switch developed discontinuities which can only be solved by replacing the switch. This switch and the power switch are integral parts of the circuit board and are not easily bypassed or replaced. I never used the soft clipping circuit either because I felt it took away some dynamic from the sound.

Strengths:
POWER. Relatively clean power. A bass EQ and Loudness control that added a lot of punch to smaller speakers (or my Klipsch Heresy's which had less bass than high frequency horn). Good Phono stage. exceptionally clean video and CD line-in circuits. Discrete power amp and preamp sections with individaul Pre-out and Power amp-in RCA jacks.

I still use this unit to play music from my computer into my cheap Radio Shack minimus 7 speakers. Compensating with the tone controls for the lack of treble in the RS speakers, the system still doesn't sound too bad. Definitely has some issues with wear at the switches. Also wonder if some capcitors are loosing value. I'm sensing some distortion that is not solely a product of the cheap speakers.

I miss not feeling the impact that the dynamic headroom of this unit presented in its heyday. 6db of some of the Proton and the NAD PE amps was too much, the 1.5 db that is common in amps of this type today is not enough. 2 to 3 db of headroom is what I would consider a sweet spot for amps of this design. I have listened to recent NAD amps and receivers, and I am sad to say that none impress me like these early 3020 based designs do.

Its a shame.

Low distortion, Big bang for the $$

None (price considered)

I bought this new back in 1980. At the time it was being reviewed, they were comparing it to the Macintosh reciever of the time. It speced out at .015 THD and was putting 108 WPC into 2 Ohm loads. I think the thing is heavier than my 7240. I was going to sell it, but when used ones are going for $50 -$75, there's no way. I'm looking to upgrade my 7240 with a T750. I'm a sold customer when it comes to NAD.

Similar Products Used:

NAD7240PE, Kenwood, Fisher

Great sound at a bargain price. Clean power. Sturdy.

Tuner drifts. Few inputs. No remote option.

I recently picked up a used NAD 7020 to replace my Yamaha RX-385, which seems to be dying in one channel. I didn't really think a receiver could make any difference in what I heard (driving Paradigm Atoms + SB-90 passive sub). I was wrong. I heard new detail in some of my favorite CDs, like Rob Wasserman's Trios. My NAD has a severely beat up exerior, all scratched up with a couple chips, but it performs excellently, which suggests it must be very sturdy. Value is a no-brainer considering the prices it can be found at, 5-stars. 5-stars as a basic stereo reciever too as long as you don't need modern bells and whistles. The included bass, treble, and loudness adjustments are actually useful for low level listening, unlike other receivers I've heard that sound horribly bloated when boosted.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-385

Does anyone out there care for value for money? With focus on Value? Well, don't forget to look out for old NAD 3020 or 7020!
Though not a great integrated / reciever (it's still excellent if you consider the money you have to part with, but the "poweramp" part is the weak part) it makes a real budget hi-fi preamplifier preciever megadeal. The shortcomings of this little wonder is easy cured (vol.pot., a few components, upgraded internal wires and bypas of some "stupid" buttons) [Se Rays page for a hint.] And if you are bothered with the "tuner" part of the preciever to mess the delicate signals in the preamp, don't bother coz this baby turns most of those signals off when you don't use the "tuner"!
Well, considering the price anyone could check this preamp out to see what you may benefit from it (even if you have expencive stuff, this is less money than you don't put on much to cheap interconects). And if you don't benefit: Well, pass it on. Some other will for sure do. Personally I've gone for the preciever style (7020) as this is not only as good (or about as good), but gives you a excellent tuner (a little "loudnessy" but very appealing) as well and comes even cheaper. [One of them bougth for $15. And that would hardly by you an album even if you go for "nice price".]
Rating: I'll give it four star as a performer. But if you take performance versus money I'll give it something between twentyseven and twentynine stars. So I think a five star gives you the hint that this may be something that you shan't miss to check out if one [3020 / 7020 (3120)] passes you by.

Great musical reproduction. great head room

lousy tuner

My first system out of school back in 1980 was a NAD 7020 and a pair of Mission 770's with a phillips turntable. What s system. The day I bought them I had the system setup and was listening to some classical piano music. My mom and sister came home and wanted to know who the hell was playing the piano (er, which of course we did'nt have). It sounded that good.

Too bad the tuner did'nt really measure up. It continual drifted.

Similar Products Used:

no comparision to any other inexpensive receiver I've owned

Great sound with Linn Kan speakers

No longer made, tuner drift

I had the 7020 paired with Linn Kan speakers and Rega Planer 3, some 19 years ago. Since living abroad I have kept the speakers in storage. Last week I brought them back to Hong Kong, went out and purchased a NAD L40 - thinking it would absolutly be far superior to the 7020. Got home, wired it up and was immediately dissapointed. No great seperation or three-dimensionality that the 7020's gave. I used that combination at parties, large rooms and backyards and people were always blown away by the sound coming out of the small Kans. I thought it was speaker prowess but matching circuitry is important as I now discover.

Now I think I'll have to buy the Linn Classik, which is expensive, to get a decent sound. I still own the 7020 but it needs a service cause sometimes a channel cuts out or crackles. It is 19 years old but a classic amp! The tuner, as others have mentioned, drifts. So don't use this machine as a radio.

Similar Products Used:

NAD L40 - inferior IMHO, Rega Planer 3 turntable

preamplifier section; low price of used product; can drive difficult loads;

age of the product;

In its time was considered the finest receiver for its price; some enthusiasts thought it sounded subjectively better than the NAD 3020 amp. from which it was derived.

In contemporary hi-fi literature(1979-82) was promoted as being capable of being paired with speakers and turntables many times its price. It could drive most small acoustic suspension speakers though I did see its cousin, the NAD 3140 integrated amplifier, getting hernia after a bout with a Celestion SL6. Its treble was clear, midrange sweet and the bass acceptable. Its tuner was susceptible to drift but sounded fine with an external antenna and fairly good with the indoor antenna. Though NOT hi-fi, its AM reception was fairly good.

If found in working condition, enthusiastically recommended as a hobby system purchase. Sometimes you come across a dual voltage model too: 120-240 volts, 50/60 Hz.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 7225; Rega Brio(for preamp comparison)