Hi there - I've had issues with an RB250 connecting to a NAD 3020 & also a NAD 3020A - the first amp I had was a really old 3020 which had numerous problems including one of the phono channels cutting out - I would have to wiggle the phono wire to get a clear signal. After this amp developed a few to many problems I replaced it with a really nice condition 3020A which was boxed and it worked well apart from there was still some dropout on the phono connectors that has got worse over time - the only way I could get a clear signal was to twist the phono jacks around. I've tried cleaning the contacts with contact cleaner but no difference. I've just managed to actually break the connector on one of the phono inputs - It's snapped at one of the corners.
So now I have a 3020A that works really well apart from one of the channel / jack connectors on the phono input is broken - plus I have an old 3020 that I could use for spare parts.
Is it possible to fix this issue - I understand after some research that all that fiddling could have affected the board perhaps. I'm not experienced with electrics but I would attempt a fix if it was easy enough.
I find it a bit odd that both the NADs i've had have had similar problems with the phono input - does this sound familiar to anyone?
I'm tempted to just go and buy another NAD but money is tight so would like to avoid if possible - I have an AT440MLA on a SYSTEMDEK IIX900 and the NAD's smooth sound seems to work well with this set up.
Any help or feedback would be gratefully recieved 🙂
So now I have a 3020A that works really well apart from one of the channel / jack connectors on the phono input is broken - plus I have an old 3020 that I could use for spare parts.
Is it possible to fix this issue - I understand after some research that all that fiddling could have affected the board perhaps. I'm not experienced with electrics but I would attempt a fix if it was easy enough.
I find it a bit odd that both the NADs i've had have had similar problems with the phono input - does this sound familiar to anyone?
I'm tempted to just go and buy another NAD but money is tight so would like to avoid if possible - I have an AT440MLA on a SYSTEMDEK IIX900 and the NAD's smooth sound seems to work well with this set up.
Any help or feedback would be gratefully recieved 🙂
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It seems you have been wiggling those RCA connectors a lot more than cheopo types like those NAD PCB mount ones should ever be. You are not alone though. The first 2 series 3020 models all had that problem and the boards cracked, tracks lifted and the foil even broke away in typical open shelf use. As I recall, the ones that didn't have problems had been set up in a cabinets with leads safely out of reach and had been more or less left that way since new.
They were fine for a 10 year life cycle but after 30+ years you have to expect these unsupported top mounted sockets to break down whenever they are roughly handled or leads are tugged or pulled at stress angles.
If you are able to solder, you could reseat the sockets down firmly on the board, resoldering the metal contacts and any securing legs of the sockets to the pcb. First though, remove the grime and inspect the board for cracks and beneath for tears or breaks in the copper foil tracks. Patch any board cracks with epoxy glue and when fully hard, run a thick solder bead along the repaired track to where it is safely inside the case.
I've thought about supporting the phono sockets with a drilled out, covering block of wood or hard foam plastic but never really bothered, TBH. I think that's the next logical step if you want it to last a lifetime.
They were fine for a 10 year life cycle but after 30+ years you have to expect these unsupported top mounted sockets to break down whenever they are roughly handled or leads are tugged or pulled at stress angles.
If you are able to solder, you could reseat the sockets down firmly on the board, resoldering the metal contacts and any securing legs of the sockets to the pcb. First though, remove the grime and inspect the board for cracks and beneath for tears or breaks in the copper foil tracks. Patch any board cracks with epoxy glue and when fully hard, run a thick solder bead along the repaired track to where it is safely inside the case.
I've thought about supporting the phono sockets with a drilled out, covering block of wood or hard foam plastic but never really bothered, TBH. I think that's the next logical step if you want it to last a lifetime.
Thanks for the reply - i'm really a novice with electronics so think a good idea would be to dismantle the old NAD and use that to experiment with.
What are peoples views on the later 3020 models like the 3020i - do they sound as good? They seem to have better connectors at the back at least!
What are peoples views on the later 3020 models like the 3020i - do they sound as good? They seem to have better connectors at the back at least!
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If you don't then need the phono sockets, you still have a good working amplifier for other inputs- just support the leads with a restraining clip or bracket screwed or pop-riveted to the rear of the case above the connectors, so the the connecting leads come away vertically through the bracket or even a large cup-hook bent to suit, instead of letting them drag sideways and break the sockets away from the PCB - as this seems to be the reason you have problems.
It has little to do with electronics but this is DIYaudio, so if you can breathe and use a drill intelligently, without blasting through and showering the electronics with steel fragments, you can make such a quick and simple innovation and say "There, now why didn't I think of that before?"
It has little to do with electronics but this is DIYaudio, so if you can breathe and use a drill intelligently, without blasting through and showering the electronics with steel fragments, you can make such a quick and simple innovation and say "There, now why didn't I think of that before?"
Thanks Ian - indeed the rest of the inputs are fine i currently have my blu ray player / tv going through the aux and use the tape in on occasion with the line out from my laptop - trouble with the phono link is that it is totally dead on one channel now - however I am going to take it to my girlfriend's dad who may be able to assist me with a fix - he also has an old Quad Amp and Acram Amp that he says I could borrow. I've never used either of those before - not sure exactly what models they are but they are probably from the 70s.
Thanks again for the feedback - i've been through quite a journey with the whole getting back into vinyl thing and it's good to talk when yet another thing goes ary 🙂
Thanks again for the feedback - i've been through quite a journey with the whole getting back into vinyl thing and it's good to talk when yet another thing goes ary 🙂
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