Would you recommend the d3020v2 over the d3045? DAC quality? Relative quality of headphone vs speaker out compared to something like Sprout 100? Form factor is nice, and the phono stage is a plus, as I’m looking to upgrade from the MX3 myself (as your input has been so helpful with in a couple other threads). I thought i remembered there being some disfavor for the newer NAD stuff, so wasn’t sure how it might carry over to these models.
So both of those are solid, but they don’t beat the sprout100 for me. I think the sprout100 has a more refined sound in both the headphone and speaker outs, a better dac, and is easier to use. I definitely wouldn’t recommend the d3045 as imo its way too expensive for what it is, but for what you can find the d3020v2 for used it might be worthwhile if you want to stick in that budget. I haven’t tried the phono stuff on there so I can’t comment on that
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Would a $499 price tag on the 3045 as opposed to $749 change your perspective at all? The sprout just seems to be a bit tough to find at much of a discount, even used.
Hmmm, that would be a bit better, that might make some sense to get. It’s going to sound cleaner than the sprout but not as natural imo. If you like the features and the form factor, it wouldn’t be a bad choice
Have also seen a few OG Peachtree Novas pop up recently in the $500 range…you’ve recommended the 300 before, but is the tube hybrid original good relative to the others mentioned here? Compared to the Liquid Plat? Benefit, perhaps, being the included DAC on the Nova.
I haven’t heard the og novas so I can’t comment there.
That’s a headphone amp, so I don’t really know how I would compare that one lol
Haha…sorry, mostly comparing headphone out quality of the Nova with the hybrid amp. I know it’s not exactly apples to apples with one being a dedicated and balanced amp.
Ah gotcha, well I haven’t heard the og nova but if I was forced to pick I would really put my trust in the cavalli design
The Denon doesn’t have USB inputs. Shouldn’t that give one pause? Are there any issues with converting USB to optical, besides the nuisance of having to buy yet another adaptor? Same issue with the d3020v2. Apparently the v1 had USB but they swapped it for a phono thingy. I lack the space for a phono, so that’s just not a temptation for me.
I mean if you don’t have optical or coax then I guess so, but you can get a USB to spdif box for not much and there typically isn’t really an issue with it
Another box. Sigh. The Sprout100 is looking better and better. And so, too, does the AD18, TBH. I also have a Topping MX3 in another room. I have never A/B’d them to compare, but I should probably swap them just for the experience. Given that the Topping is said to have a better headphone amp, that’s probably what should be on my desk vice driving my TV speakers, which is what it’s currently doing.
The sprout100 is really solid overall, it’s a pretty sweet all in one
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If it were only cheaper… I know, I know, stepping up from the AD18 is going to cost.
There’s a TEAC that looks like a good option, the AI-301DA-X or something like that. But none of the reviews I’ve read has convinced me it would be worth moving up from the AD18. Z even said it’s not, though it was a passing reference.
Emotiva ta100?
Too big a footprint for my desk.
I recently had a similar quandary, looking to upgrade from the MX3. Ended up going separate components to drive my speakers with the Parasound Zamp V3 to be run out of a Questyle CMA-400i, but I recently came across this sound comparison between the Denon PMA-600ne and Topping MX3. I know sound demos have to be taken with a grain of salt, but assuming the same chain for both, I was suprised how close they sounded. I don’t doubt the Denon is technically superior, and for in person critical listening would likely reveal more differences, but I don’t use my (not that great) speakers for critical listening right now anyway. I’m torn as to whether to get rid of the MX3 now, as it’s served well and fits on the desk so nicely.
I’m really trying to minimize the number of boxes, and the number of electric cords I have to plug in.
I’ve realized that what makes this so hard at least in my case is that I want BOTH BT and to be able to drive my passive speakers, not that they’re anything special, but they’re what I’ve got. So most solutions either have one capable or the other but not both. I’m going to see if I can do without BT…and it might be as simple as using a wireless recharger for my phone (just ordered) that would enable me to connect the phone via USB. Then suddenly I’ll have more options. I use the phone because most of the time I’m using my work computer, which I can’t use for streaming anything other than YT, and I can’t or won’t keep my FLAC library on it. The only real catch with the phone is that its battery life is crap, so I can’t run it if I can’t have it constantly charging. Anyway, if I either give up on BT, get active speakers, or just get over having a separate box to power the passives, a much larger number of options open up.
So what is it you don’t like about the AD18 and MX3? I use the BT with my MX3 with good results driving passive Realistic MC-1200s for casual listening.
Honestly they’re fine, which is why I’m not in a rush to replace them. I perceive some shortfalls with the AD18 when I’m doing critical listening…I believe but don’t know for a fact that I could be getting a lot more out of my HD650s, which everyone says scales well with good gear. As for the AD18’s ability to drive my MB42x speakers, I have no complaints and obviously would move to upgrade the speakers before I fret about the speaker amp. I have no problem discerning the difference between the MB42x and the RB42, which I ended up pairing with the TV because the better bass is more critical for movies. That tells me that investing in better speakers absolutely will improve the sound, while a better amp might only make marginal improvements.
I bought the MX3 because I wanted to attach speakers to my TV for a 2.0 or 2.1, and the AD18 wouldn’t work when connected to my TV. I was afraid it might have been the TV, which has no audio out other than optical, but after reading others complain that their AD18s wouldn’t play nicely with TVs, I thought I’d take the chance on another brand. It worked. That’s also why I keep the MX3 with the TV and leave the AD18 on the desk.
Anyway, it’s all about getting the best out of my HD650s, and sooner or later I’ll succumb to the temptation to upgrade to an even better pair of cans. I also want to run the speakers sometimes, but that’s not the priority.
What did you end up getting? I’m looking for the same thing but to power the BR03 but it’s the same at some point. I was going to get the SMSL AD18 until I saw your post.
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