The thing that is INTERESTING is that the NAD retains its HOUSE sound, both before and after the recap. The recap does clean up the sound some and tighten it up, but it is more about clean rather than different sound. And that is pretty amazing considering how OLD the original caps were. As someone else has said, the newer NADs seem to crapout sooner on their filter capacitors. I had a C325 that I bought used in 2010 and its main caps were already bad. Now, I hear that that was partly due to a BAD run of caps the NAD used in those models. My repair guy replaced those with two Panasonic 15,000 mf caps. And it was fine! Still in use today.
Small point, but the tone controls should be at 12:00, which is basically flat. Here both bass and treble are set in the maximum position, which would make for an overly bright sound with most loudspeakers. That being said, I have both the NAD 7080 receiver (which was at the centre of my system for over 20 years) and 3080 integrated amp. I would love to have both fully re-capped.
So the pots was in the same position also before recap and I keep them the same also after recap because I change the caps also that involve the tone control and that was my point to show how change with the new caps also the tone control!
@@SymbolTech21 No...in Toronto...I'v heard that there's a guy here who specializes in re-capping/restoring vintage NAD gear. I wish I had your skills! There's nothing more rewarding than doing it yourself...
@@onsenkuma1979 I suggest you to get s soldering iron and some simple kits in order to get skills in soldering. And then you can try to recap by yourself!
What I listened through the comparison is the tightness and accuracy of the lower frequency after recapping is amazing and way better than the older caps.
@@SymbolTech21 I was just trying to recap my speakers' (Wharfedale Delta 30) crossover but eventually fell into the idea of recapping of my old Sony HTIB receiver that I bought used 😂. Plus, I want to clean all the dust in that poor receiver. I kinda fall in love with this receiver cause surprisingly, it got some good features and sounds good too. Hopefully the sound can be improved after I recap it. I'll try to post videos about it later. Hopefully you can give me some pointers 😄🤝🏽
Nice video. When you see the design of NAD3020 there almost no capacitors near the transistors. Now these days they placing the capacitors next to the heat sources. It seem to they design the amplifiers to only last a couple of years with crappy capacitors. 🙂
When I ordered the caps I just went one by one on the board and I ordered. I do not have a boom file for the caps. And I suggest you do the same because 7020 definitely is not the same as 3020 and definitely you have different values of caps on that amp
I recommend the Rotel RA 840 BX sounds superb after recapping. I used Siemens Sikorel for power supply smoothing absolutely best sounding but very expensive.
If you see the clip when I did with the old caps at the end of the song I tried to rise the volume up but how I almost reach 12 o clock sound so crappy. so that's why I keep the volume a little lower. than with the new capacitors inn. imagine this amp was manufactured on 1978 so have 43 years old. any electrolytic after these years will be definitely dry and not work properly. then who like ceramics on audio? almost anyone like them in audio then if I need to choose between the green chap capacitors and the styroflex. in audio I will go with styroflex. Any way my friend who own this amp soon will launch his channel that will be called Dark Horse Audio, he own lots of audio gear amps speakers and lots of equipment's to test speakers amps like thd noise and more. so in the future videos I will mention when the channel will be launched and he will prepare a video for this amp with all tests that an amp need to have. thank you for your comment I really appreciate it.
I would like to do the same but apart from soldering do I require any other equipment to change the filter caps? I wouldn't want to do damage to this amp but feel it would benefit from this.
Very nice video. It's amazing the original caps lasted since 1978, the caps in my NAD c352 were all bad and that was made in 2004! I changed them all and the difference is astounding. Maybe it has been restored to how it was meant to sound before caps failed. Anyway really enjoyed your video and I'm subscribing. Thanks
I have similar NAD C352 mfg 2004. since it used to get hot overall, especially the pre-amp section which has a small heatsink, I fitted 4 exhaust CPU cooler fan over the top cover vents. It helped extending the life span of those electrolytic capacitors. Plus if you know basic electronics, you can change the TL082 opamps in preamp section to something better.
@@rogerwalter2500 yeah the pre amp section looked a bit cooked and I had to reflow the power resistors and transistors. The caps along side the heatsinks I have used Panasonic FR as they have a 10000 hour endurance at 105c rating so should last the life of the amp. The reason the right channel wasnt working was a broken solder joint in the right channel pre amp 'tower' - the part that stands tall near the heatsink, and also a bad joint on the preamp power resistor. The amp itself I bought faulty from ebay and it looks like it had something sat on top as you can see the foot marks. These Amps need space above them!
The build quality on the circuit board was much improved in your rebuild. The choice of test track was odd. I would have wanted a good recording of acoustic instruments and some voice to assess sound quality. I was also worried that you played the amplifier with the tone controls turned to maximum. Were they bypassed? I couldn’t tell if it was a value for money upgrade. What was the frequency response? Was there a better transient response? What specific improvements did you hear? I re listened to each recording and the recap had made a positive difference but my questions remain.
@@SymbolTech21can you make a follow up video with the modified NAD3020 next to an un modified one that would let us see how the changes altered the presentation. Please set the tone controls flat and switch the loudness filter off. Please use a natural recording of real instruments recorded playing acoustic music. We would then have a more scientific comparison. There are difficulties in experiments if you change too many variables at once. You assumed it was better but you wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the sources of improvement or even negative effects accurately in the method you used. It’s possible that rebuilding it by hand tidily with selected and measured original components might sound even better. Maybe it sounded different rather than better.
Definitely ceramic capacitor is not that good in audio then the old electrolytic capacitors with the time they get dry and goes up on ESR and definitely the film capacitors polypropylene are good on audio
Hi ! great job indeed the sound is actually much more clear after the update/upgrade 2x10uF total is not much The more uF in the power supply the better I would also looked at diodes bridge and bias trimmers that are old and open type
@@gino3286 when upgrading the capacitors on the power supply you can't just put much capacity because more capacity lead to a dead short for a short period of time if is enough if the rectifier diodes are not capable to handle lots of amps to fry them and also to much capacity will stress the transformer so also here u need to take I'm consideration how many VA the transformer is.
@@SymbolTech21 Hi thanks i understand that In fact i would take out also the old diodes Often they are very weak 10A diodes are quite cheap and should fit in fine My rule is 2x 10mF x channel = 40mF total If the space allows of course
@@SymbolTech21 it seems a lot However even 30A integrated bridge are very cheap The transformer can sustain a short surge I shorted one for half a minute and it is still working Litlle smoke and stop Big caps are very good
It is good to upgrade the capacitors. I was surprised that you tested the amplifier with the tone controls turned to maximum and, some music with real instruments and more dramatic dynamic range would be a better test. The steady state power is less important than the transient power. This amplifier is good at dynamic bursts of power.
Hi, Great video, I have exactly the same amp NAD 3020 series 20. I have also taken off the cover and it looks exactly the same. Is it possible that you could share the parts list of the capacitors and any other parts like the potentiometer which you changed. Do you have the order from Mauser. Much appreciated, I bought this amp when I was 17, about 40 yrs ago and I would really like to use it again.
Volume is not the same. Show us pics of square response and similar tests if you have them. I haven't seen damage on caps, they or amp were not measured for possible problems so it is hard to say where changes come from.
Will be a video with more tests on my friend channel when he will launch his channel so I will ask to do also a square test. because already the amp is not anymore with me. was my friend amp
@@SymbolTech21 Makes sense doing tests first, then repairs if needed. My guess is friend can't test them if he wanted you to replace caps. Simply replacing good film caps (i'm pretty sure NAD chose them to last a long time) and ceramic caps isn't the way to go if circuit is not studied, measured. Even lytics are often perfectly fine, replacing without knowing their performance won't help either. Then there are transistors and resistors, bias has to be checked because most of such amps run in class A/B. It was good learning experience for the next time, if i got it right you have means to test new projects.
@@codaalive5076 ceramics are not advised on audio. then electrolytic capacitors with the time they get dry and need replaced so now at list all caps are new inside and can have a long live again. about the resistors and transistors I also checked bias ok dc offset ok. also added fresh thermal paste to transistors. and my friend definitely will do a nice video for this amp running all tests THD, noise frequency swap and all that need to be tested. So when this video will be available I will be back with a comment here and share the link of that vide. thanks for your comments I really appreciate it
@@SymbolTech21 Ceramic is well advised for audio if used in right place. Modern electrolytic NAD used were probably just fine too. As were all film caps replaced. It would make sense mentioning bias check if you did that. Let us know what your friend finds with tests.
@@codaalive5076 Definitely once he will launch his channel I will mention his channel in one of my future videos and I will be back to you with the link because he have lots of gears of testing amps speakers and in terms of amps and speakers he own lots of them just when he come yesterday to pick up the NAD he bring me over 3 amps to look at them so one is a tube H.H.Scott stereomaster then Marantz model2330B and an other that is a diy based on one of Nelson Pass schematics
What makes the 3020 sound good is it's conservative design using oversized output transistors that never strain to produce any power up to full output. The high voltage rails enable high "burst" power and the ability to drive difficult low impedance or high capacitive loads. The clever design minimizes harmonic and intermodulation distortions without the need for high global feedback in the circuit. Too much feedback sounds like shit. Perhaps most important there are no integrated circuits; the 3020 is all discrete. ICs just don't sound as good as discrete, especially back then.
I was thinking about recapping some of my old amps. I have a Yamaha CR-1000 from 1974 with all original caps and even though it still sounds fantastic I keep wondering if I could get even better sound. It's not the easiest receiver to work on so I've been putting it off for a while.
How do you consider the bass in the Nad3020, very moderate or little, in my case after changing all the capacitors and calibrating it I am left with little bass, this last calibration I did not do because I did not have the elements, trying another amplifier with the same speakers they have much lower, I can't compare it with another Nad because it doesn't have it, some attribute this to the fact that the English amplifiers have less bass and are flatter than the Japanese ones.
Also depends on which capacitors you may use, because I had so many experiences with the same value of capacitors different brands and they sound different
@@2000nurek thanks for your comment. This was not mine amp. Was a friend and I did this upgrade long ago and what I remember my friend he bought all the parts so I'm not the one who chose the parts
Me personally i don’t like wima capacitors at all. They make sound super harsh what makes me tired after 10-15 min of listening. Im using bipolar caps instead of wima
@@bohdan2752 I never had this experience with wima. Hope the wima you may used they were not genuine. Definitely there is much better caps out there but the price of one cap is the cost of 50 wimas. Need also to stay in a budget as well
I suggest you to go with same configuration where you see ceramics go with wimas and those that are on the tone correction use film or polypropylene and for the electrolytics go with nichicon
Great video. I have NAD 302 version, the light is on but can only hear extremely low sound if I crack the volume to the max. Can you suggest anything i can try? Thanks a lot.
I will start first measuring the power voltage. If that is ok then I will measure the power transistors. If also those are ok you need to check the first transistors and then check the preamp stage
Would have been a better guide being able to listen back to back, before and after as well as knowing what else you swapped out inside, You can pick these up for £50 upwards here in the UK and given the amount of work you put in de-soldering then soldering along with the cost of parts I would rather spend the money on a better amp to begin with, Nad 3130pe, Cyrus 1 or 2, Audiolab8000a Pioneer A400 to name but a few. Well presented Video but for me just not enough depth of detail. Thanks and good luck with your growing site.
Thanks I really appreciate your comment the amplifier is not mine is a friend that wanted to do this upgrade and he asked if I want to do it for him so I accept the challenge
Hello great job, congratulations! I would also like to upgrade my NAD3020E but I have doubts about non-electrolytic capacitors,: according to which criterion did you choose WIMA TDK and Styroflex? Have you kept the same values for everyone? I also have a HUM problem when I turn on it on and I thought I'd solve it by increasing the capacitancy of the Caps in the initial muting circuit, am I doing it right? Would you have any tips to eliminate the buzz caused by the transformer? I read that changing the caps, with other larger ones, in the PREAMP's PSU could solve, is it a correct way? Thanks in advance and again congratulations for your work! Greetings, Dimitri
Thanks for your comment. By the way this is an amp that belongs to a viewer that also can say is a friend. So I really don't know how much he paid for all the parts. I just give him the list with the values and he bought them.
I'm surprised how empty the chassis is. 😂 It's almost empty. I expected the mainboard to be heavily propagated with components yet its sparsely propagated with very few big capacitors. I guess it's only 30W RMS per side. Anyway most interesting video. A nice assortment of Japanese nichicon capacitors albeit small.
@@paulinchbold2461 I really don't know because I did this job to a very good friend of mine which is living not to far from my home so he bring it to me to upgrade this amp
Hi bro congratulations for this great job I’m starting in the audio world so I want a buy an amplifier can yu tell me witch one is better nad 3020 or nad 3020a I’ll setup with kef coda speaker 3 thanks a lot bro
Instaed of recapping those old NAD¨s i would suggestt buying a NEW class D amp, preferebly with a TPA 3255 amp chip, i used to have a NAD but after comparing it with the power and sound of a S.M.S.L AD 18 i sold it imediatly, guys , there has been a lot of change in amplifier technology the last 20 years! I know that some people still think that a chip based amp can´t be that good sounding, but really the new models sound really good. So listen to one and judge for yourself....
Nice video, and I will do full recap in the futre for sure but now I need to change potentiometer but the problem is, I can't find anywhere this blue alps. Where did you get it from yours, and what model exactly it should be. Thanks
The NAD3020 comes in 2 different models inside so I suggest you to check one by one the capacitors and order same values! I did the same as well because I had a part list with the capacitors for NAD but when I look inside of this one I replaced all the caps I find totally different values
HELLO, I HAVE A 7020 AND IT HAS 2 ORIGINAL MOTOROLA TRANSISTORS 2955 AND TWO THAT ARE NOT ORIGINAL, ONE 3055 AND THE OTHER 3055H, MY QUESTION IS WHETHER THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 3055 AND THE 3055H? SHOULD I REPLACE THEM? THANK YOU
@@oficinatraficorosario5504 will not affect the sound the letter at the end shows the max voltage rated just have a look for the datasheet and you will see that
You need first to make sure that you have exactly the same model. Because if you do a research on internet you will find the NAD3020 that inside it's totally different so that's why I suggest you to look for that first because not all the parts are the same.
@@SymbolTech21 you are right. The 2200 μf capacitors are lateral on my amp and has a daughter cardat the rear. By the way : 3020 has four 2200 μf capacitors . Why you changed the 2 of them with different type and replaced the other 2 with 10000 μf? What if you change all four with electrolytic 10000 μf?
@@achilleasleousis5030 so are 2capacitors in parallel of 2200uf that gives you a total of 4400uf so I just used only one instead of 2 in parallel of 10000uf. You need to pay attention if the transformer can handle 20000uf capacity because 10000uf it's already to much for the transformer that NAD3020 have inside
hello, I have a Nad 3020A, will there be a problem with the amplifier if I turn on my dac in LAB IN and remove the jumpers from NORMAL IN and PRE OUT? I have never used LAB IN, but when I included my dac in it. The sound has improved significantly. But I don't know if I use this switch, is there a problem with the amplifier? Thanks and send greetings.
Hi there, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I don't have the parts list because I just check all capacitors one by one and order the right values!
@@SymbolTech21not the sa series.. I meant the the A series. The late Sa series are remodeled A series and that's what came to mind. I just thought they looked quite similar
Interesting video, but why did you remove fopur caps, and replace them with just two? You should say what/why you've done that. The increase in cap value is small as you've left out two og the caps. I see, I think, that you've put two small caps in the place of two of the main caps. This you shoould also have explained what/why you were doing that. So many missed points. Loudness should be out/off and tone controls should be flat (zero - at 12 o'clock). You should also have done the oscilloscope test before, so we could see any change.
I apreciate your aproach to upgrade this amp but IMHO you should be much more knowledgable about circuits, parts and the typical issues that degrade sound over time or in general. While replacing electrolytics might not be the worst idea replacing all the film caps and ceramics dont make any difference whatsoever...I started exactly the same with exactly the same amp quite a few years ago and over the years I realised that much of what I did was a total waste of money while things like cleaning contacts, adjusting bias, cleaning pots and switches, replacing thermal paste, fixing solder joints and having a voodoo priest spray snake oil on a full moons night are the things that really result in improved reliability and sound. The reason why you read that installing all the wimas and styros is improving performance is that this amp isnt only the most sold amp in history it's also the amp the most beginners start their journey and join forums where they discusse with other beginners and none of them really knows what they are doing...I once saw a post where someone who knew basicly nothing proudly bragged that he replaced all the jumpers with copper ones swearing by god the improvement was night and day but if he had only cut one of the original ones apart he would have seen that they were copper all the time....tinned copper...by now probly all of his bare copper jumpers coroded and killed the amp...and seriously...what kind of a silly argument is: Who likes ceramics in audio...thats just the worst argument EVER....coz even high end amps feature ceramics for de/coupling ...study....a LOT.
That's why you should do a research and study more why ceramics are not good in AC coupling in audio. I'm really sorry to tell you but if you have time to look on all my videos you will maybe understand my knowledge in electronics!
@@SymbolTech21 How about a comparison of 3020...one with wimas and one with exactly the same components except ceramics instead of wimas. I will send you two empty 3020 pcbs, psu's and everything you need except the population of the boards You pay postag, I`ll send you the parts...If you have a mail adress I'll show what I send you
@SymbolTech Thanks for your enthusiasm in audio amplifiers / audio DIY amplifiers, an area with very little profit (unless you're those valve amplifier people in Hong Kong selling giant valve amplifiers for 10,000 with rare and 'unique' valves... or a production line person in silicon valley or Shenzhen which prints 5,000 amps, including that idiot " NwAvGuy " with his not very good amp... pretending it's 'super super amazing' So aside from 'them'... an area with very low profit, however a lot of enthusiasm... (and 97.5% male... btw.... ? Encountered 1 female expert working at Texas Instruments, posting advanced stuff... so yea, some... although very rare) ... so... continued... you 'educated' more than 10,000 viewiers already, in this video (in different ways..... including none... although a little curious..) ーー I didn't listen to your microphone comparison, because if there's a difference I think it's not possible to pass through my PC D/a chips, amp chips & speakers.... and still retain the same 'sound difference' after passing through all that、 however, it's still cool that you recorded before & after... and that some youtube commenters listen and " hear something " via their placebo effect / expectation effect ( is it ? ) Look at all these comments " Wow after mod the bass is much tighter, very clear " how can they hear that.... through their Laptop or smartphone DAC chip, laptop or smartphone amp... so the difference 'stays' ... ? So you are joking, or they are joking...
When all the capacitors are dry I don't know which sound signature you have. Then you can ask any audiophile if ceramic capacitors are good on audio gear. And please let me know them answers.
@@SymbolTech21 I don't believe capacitors go bad in 50 years at least.I have NAD1155 from the 70's and still sounds crystal clear and more dynamic than anything i have tried!Film capacitors sound bright for sure!I am not a fan of recaping a unit unless it is broken...The sound signature is achieved mainly in result of the material of the components in my opinion.Recaping can change the sound,but that does not necessary mean it will become better.In most cases the caracter of the sound is changed for the worst.
@@beslemeto www.xppower.com/resources/blog/electrolytic-capacitor-lifetime-in-power-supplies#:~:text=Manufacturers%20of%20electrolytic%20capacitors%20specify,to%2010%2C000%20hours%20or%20more. Just read
Thanks for your comment. So I don't have to much place where I shoot my RUclips videos and only that is the reason why I put on the top of the amplifier the laptop usually in my listening room I put the device next to eachother
Both tests sound thin and without bodied sound. This amplifier has a lot of midrage range reproduction. You selected all the treble and bass up. That is a bad thing!! Anyway it sounded cheap. Sorry. This is how it sounds: ruclips.net/video/Q9F8Ei4CIWM/видео.html
Thanks for your comment! You need to take in consideration the losses that RUclips reproduce the sound and if you could listen straight away to the speakers rather than reproduced from RUclips maybe you may change your opinion!
@@hamzatatta952 the capacitors on the signal path definitely change the sound depends which capacitors you are using. The smoothing capacitors on the power supplies it's just to smooth the ripples
You have to upgrade the op-amps ... upgrading capacitors causes little to no difference, especially if they're all the same values. If you change them all the 3x the value.. then of course 'some' difference, however still tiny. Op-amp circuit chip and DAC circuit chip is where the sound is. 2. It is 'fun' to upgrade parts to the best parts in the world... so yes, that's a respectable pursuit to 'upgrade everything to the best possible', sure, especially if they measure the best. There are uni papers showing that ceramic measures very poorly versus your premium capacitors, in some tests with some equipment... so yes, you're 'correct'. 3. A premium amplifier... should actually... have the premium capacitors from the start... the fact that people " need " to spend 20 hours with a soldering iron... then.. it's not a premium amplifier.. or brand... So that may explain why one of the best DAC's I heard if from this " DIY master " with all the best capacitors in every area (and best DAC chip ES9018 with best op-amp chips), so the 'master' selects all the best parts... from his occupation of spending time with audio equipment for 10 years.. or his degree.. or both. WIth 1 billion peoiple in China, I can find 'him' just like in Russia, you find 1 Kasparov. 4. Some people think it's all " a waste of time... practice singing... what is this... cable and capacitor ", well, maybe they have tin ears and don't understand, can't hear the measurement... or maybe they don't get some singers are aiming for excellent there... some amp guy aiming for excellent there... later on combine both.
@@SymbolTech21 Thanks for your enthusiasm in audio amplifiers / audio DIY amplifiers, an area with very little profit (unless you're those valve amplifier people in Hong Kong selling giant valve amplifiers for 10,000 with rare and 'unique' valves... or a production line person in silicon valley or Shenzhen which prints 5,000 amps, including that idiot " NwAvGuy " with his not very good amp... pretending it's 'super super amazing' So aside from 'them'... an area with very low profit, however a lot of enthusiasm... (and 97.5% male... btw.... ? Encountered 1 female expert working at Texas Instruments, posting advanced stuff... so yea, some... although very rare) ... so... continued... you 'educated' more than 10,000 viewiers already, in this video (in different ways..... including none... although a little curious..) ーー I didn't listen to your microphone comparison, because if there's a difference I think it's not possible to pass through my PC D/a chips, amp chips & speakers.... and still retain the same 'sound difference' after passing through all that、 however, it's still cool that you recorded before & after... and that some youtube commenters listen and " hear something " via their placebo effect / expectation effect ( is it ? ) Look at all these comments " Wow after mod the bass is much tighter, very clear " how can they hear that.... through their Laptop or smartphone DAC chip, laptop or smartphone amp... so the difference 'stays' ... ? So you are joking, or they are joking...
@@Xenon777channel no one is joking! Use same connection devices as the laptop same amplifier same speakers and listen to the song and definitely you can heard the difference!
@@SymbolTech21 " I hope you open a NAD 3020 " .... why I like op-amps & the ultra-low distortion Jean Hiraga amplifier... in measurement.. iBasso Audio one of my favorite companies, sell portable amplifiers with more than 12 op-amp included, then diagram & schematic on different combinations. That's my main amp area, b4. And, you don't need to ' waste time ' with EE degrees or certificates, covering " vast and wide areas ".. just study 1 chapter -- I hope you can hear the Jean Hiraga ultra-low distortion speaker amplifier, + powerful car audio equipment i.e. 80 cm sub-woofer & Pioneer or JVC premium tweeter & mid-range speakers, plus the world's best op-amp's such as National LME49720 in optimal environment (now sold as Texas Instruments __4562), what else... oh DAC.. hm... famous DAC's are the PCM1704 chip... now in old car stereos... sell in ebay for $1000 USD for a very old Denon car stereo... with that chip 1704. So yea, that chip is famous in DAC's, and Denon is also famous with a lot of smart Japanese engineers within car audio. That is " your style ".. 1704.. Then with ultra-modern chips, i.e. ' super best high-tech ', then you are not interested.. haha. Even so, Japan has AKM chips, Cirrus and Texas Instruments have their chips, Analog devices... Sabre ESS... so there's a lot of DAC chips... and all you really need 'to do' is check the best one (from any)... then buy a product with that, that's all. ~
The reason why I did the test in that way is because also before changing the caps the pots was in the same position and just to show the difference with the new caps.
The thing that is INTERESTING is that the NAD retains its HOUSE sound, both before and after the recap. The recap does clean up the sound some and tighten it up, but it is more about clean rather than different sound. And that is pretty amazing considering how OLD the original caps were. As someone else has said, the newer NADs seem to crapout sooner on their filter capacitors. I had a C325 that I bought used in 2010 and its main caps were already bad. Now, I hear that that was partly due to a BAD run of caps the NAD used in those models. My repair guy replaced those with two Panasonic 15,000 mf caps. And it was fine! Still in use today.
Yes NAD amps are really good!
What caps can I upgrade for a NAD C350
Small point, but the tone controls should be at 12:00, which is basically flat. Here both bass and treble are set in the maximum position, which would make for an overly bright sound with most loudspeakers. That being said, I have both the NAD 7080 receiver (which was at the centre of my system for over 20 years) and 3080 integrated amp. I would love to have both fully re-capped.
So the pots was in the same position also before recap and I keep them the same also after recap because I change the caps also that involve the tone control and that was my point to show how change with the new caps also the tone control!
@@SymbolTech21 Thanks for explaining. Your videos are very informative...
@@onsenkuma1979 thanks and about recapping your amps, are you living in UK?
@@SymbolTech21 No...in Toronto...I'v heard that there's a guy here who specializes in re-capping/restoring vintage NAD gear. I wish I had your skills! There's nothing more rewarding than doing it yourself...
@@onsenkuma1979 I suggest you to get s soldering iron and some simple kits in order to get skills in soldering. And then you can try to recap by yourself!
What I listened through the comparison is the tightness and accuracy of the lower frequency after recapping is amazing and way better than the older caps.
Yes definitely get a really good improvement
@@SymbolTech21 I was just trying to recap my speakers' (Wharfedale Delta 30) crossover but eventually fell into the idea of recapping of my old Sony HTIB receiver that I bought used 😂. Plus, I want to clean all the dust in that poor receiver. I kinda fall in love with this receiver cause surprisingly, it got some good features and sounds good too. Hopefully the sound can be improved after I recap it. I'll try to post videos about it later. Hopefully you can give me some pointers 😄🤝🏽
@@HarithAhmadDaud when u upload the video send me the link
Nice video. When you see the design of NAD3020 there almost no capacitors near the transistors. Now these days they placing the capacitors next to the heat sources. It seem to they design the amplifiers to only last a couple of years with crappy capacitors. 🙂
Excellent work. Modern detailed sound after recap. Great video thank you. 3020 passed to me from my dad.
Had a friend recap my NAD 3100 the sound is so miluch better its like a new amp
Always the fresh caps make a difference
Great work. I just got NAD 7020 and I'm thinking about recaping it roo. It would be very helpful if you could post BOM for all the caps you used.
When I ordered the caps I just went one by one on the board and I ordered. I do not have a boom file for the caps. And I suggest you do the same because 7020 definitely is not the same as 3020 and definitely you have different values of caps on that amp
Recap se nota bastante se nota en los agudos... Sonido más limpio.. Respuesta de frecuencia más grande.... Mejor relación señal ruido... ❤❤
I recommend the Rotel RA 840 BX sounds superb after recapping. I used Siemens Sikorel for power supply smoothing absolutely best sounding but very expensive.
Thanks for your comment and advices I will definitely give a try to see what's changing
hi what caps did you use , i just read that it has a lovly warm sound which i am looking for
hi could you please send me the very ones you use and the model number and how many
No change. Only volume change because at first video it was set between 9-10 o’clock, after set at 12 o’clock.
If you see the clip when I did with the old caps at the end of the song I tried to rise the volume up but how I almost reach 12 o clock sound so crappy. so that's why I keep the volume a little lower. than with the new capacitors inn. imagine this amp was manufactured on 1978 so have 43 years old. any electrolytic after these years will be definitely dry and not work properly. then who like ceramics on audio? almost anyone like them in audio then if I need to choose between the green chap capacitors and the styroflex. in audio I will go with styroflex. Any way my friend who own this amp soon will launch his channel that will be called Dark Horse Audio, he own lots of audio gear amps speakers and lots of equipment's to test speakers amps like thd noise and more. so in the future videos I will mention when the channel will be launched and he will prepare a video for this amp with all tests that an amp need to have. thank you for your comment I really appreciate it.
Great video, I need to change the filter caps in my NAD and found this very informative.
Thanks I really appreciate and I am happy that helps you to do also your amp as well
I would like to do the same but apart from soldering do I require any other equipment to change the filter caps? I wouldn't want to do damage to this amp but feel it would benefit from this.
@@CM-dw3gh if u know how to solder and u keep the polarity of the capacitors on the right side and nothing else the amp have should be ok
Very nice video.
It's amazing the original caps lasted since 1978, the caps in my NAD c352 were all bad and that was made in 2004! I changed them all and the difference is astounding. Maybe it has been restored to how it was meant to sound before caps failed.
Anyway really enjoyed your video and I'm subscribing. Thanks
So you changed the caps to your amplifier as well? I really appreciate your subscription and I will try my best to come with more nice videos.
@@SymbolTech21 yeah changed them all. I used Panasonic caps mainly.
@@markthackray3185 are good the Panasonic capacitors
I have similar NAD C352 mfg 2004. since it used to get hot overall, especially the pre-amp section which has a small heatsink, I fitted 4 exhaust CPU cooler fan over the top cover vents. It helped extending the life span of those electrolytic capacitors. Plus if you know basic electronics, you can change the TL082 opamps in preamp section to something better.
@@rogerwalter2500 yeah the pre amp section looked a bit cooked and I had to reflow the power resistors and transistors. The caps along side the heatsinks I have used Panasonic FR as they have a 10000 hour endurance at 105c rating so should last the life of the amp.
The reason the right channel wasnt working was a broken solder joint in the right channel pre amp 'tower' - the part that stands tall near the heatsink, and also a bad joint on the preamp power resistor.
The amp itself I bought faulty from ebay and it looks like it had something sat on top as you can see the foot marks. These Amps need space above them!
The build quality on the circuit board was much improved in your rebuild.
The choice of test track was odd. I would have wanted a good recording of acoustic instruments and some voice to assess sound quality.
I was also worried that you played the amplifier with the tone controls turned to maximum. Were they bypassed?
I couldn’t tell if it was a value for money upgrade.
What was the frequency response? Was there a better transient response?
What specific improvements did you hear?
I re listened to each recording and the recap had made a positive difference but my questions remain.
It become more crisp and the highs sound much better than before and some more base as well
Loudness button is on too! Original Nad 3020s did not have a tone defeat either.
@@SymbolTech21can you make a follow up video with the modified NAD3020 next to an un modified one that would let us see how the changes altered the presentation. Please set the tone controls flat and switch the loudness filter off. Please use a natural recording of real instruments recorded playing acoustic music. We would then have a more scientific comparison. There are difficulties in experiments if you change too many variables at once. You assumed it was better but you wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the sources of improvement or even negative effects accurately in the method you used. It’s possible that rebuilding it by hand tidily with selected and measured original components might sound even better. Maybe it sounded different rather than better.
@@christopherward5065 I'm afraid that I can't make a follow up video on it. This amp was not mine. My friend asked me to do this mod for him.
Thank you. This was so informative. I have a NAD 1020 preamp which I need to have this work done.
Thanks for watching my video, if you may need any advice or help feel free to contact me on FB or by email
When you say improve the audio part of the unit. What would be the improvement part of the sudio from stock amplifier ?? Thanks
Definitely ceramic capacitor is not that good in audio then the old electrolytic capacitors with the time they get dry and goes up on ESR and definitely the film capacitors polypropylene are good on audio
Hi ! great job indeed the sound is actually much more clear after the update/upgrade
2x10uF total is not much The more uF in the power supply the better
I would also looked at diodes bridge and bias trimmers that are old and open type
@@gino3286 when upgrading the capacitors on the power supply you can't just put much capacity because more capacity lead to a dead short for a short period of time if is enough if the rectifier diodes are not capable to handle lots of amps to fry them and also to much capacity will stress the transformer so also here u need to take I'm consideration how many VA the transformer is.
@@SymbolTech21 Hi thanks i understand that In fact i would take out also the old diodes Often they are very weak
10A diodes are quite cheap and should fit in fine
My rule is 2x 10mF x channel = 40mF total
If the space allows of course
@@gino3286 for that capacity I will go with 25A diode
@@SymbolTech21 it seems a lot
However even 30A integrated bridge are very cheap The transformer can sustain a short surge I shorted one for half a minute and it is still working Litlle smoke and stop
Big caps are very good
It is good to upgrade the capacitors. I was surprised that you tested the amplifier with the tone controls turned to maximum and, some music with real instruments and more dramatic dynamic range would be a better test. The steady state power is less important than the transient power. This amplifier is good at dynamic bursts of power.
@@christopherward5065 I test with the pots up because I changed capacitors on that circuit path to see if tone control works good
This is 3020B. Same as my amp. Thanks
Hi, Great video, I have exactly the same amp NAD 3020 series 20. I have also taken off the cover and it looks exactly the same. Is it possible that you could share the parts list of the capacitors and any other parts like the potentiometer which you changed. Do you have the order from Mauser. Much appreciated, I bought this amp when I was 17, about 40 yrs ago and I would really like to use it again.
For this amplifier I suggest that you check one by one the values of the capacitors because there is so many variants on this amp
@@SymbolTech21 ok will do
Volume is not the same. Show us pics of square response and similar tests if you have them. I haven't seen damage on caps, they or amp were not measured for possible problems so it is hard to say where changes come from.
Will be a video with more tests on my friend channel when he will launch his channel so I will ask to do also a square test. because already the amp is not anymore with me. was my friend amp
@@SymbolTech21 Makes sense doing tests first, then repairs if needed. My guess is friend can't test them if he wanted you to replace caps. Simply replacing good film caps (i'm pretty sure NAD chose them to last a long time) and ceramic caps isn't the way to go if circuit is not studied, measured. Even lytics are often perfectly fine, replacing without knowing their performance won't help either. Then there are transistors and resistors, bias has to be checked because most of such amps run in class A/B. It was good learning experience for the next time, if i got it right you have means to test new projects.
@@codaalive5076 ceramics are not advised on audio. then electrolytic capacitors with the time they get dry and need replaced so now at list all caps are new inside and can have a long live again. about the resistors and transistors I also checked bias ok dc offset ok. also added fresh thermal paste to transistors. and my friend definitely will do a nice video for this amp running all tests THD, noise frequency swap and all that need to be tested. So when this video will be available I will be back with a comment here and share the link of that vide. thanks for your comments I really appreciate it
@@SymbolTech21 Ceramic is well advised for audio if used in right place. Modern electrolytic NAD used were probably just fine too. As were all film caps replaced. It would make sense mentioning bias check if you did that. Let us know what your friend finds with tests.
@@codaalive5076 Definitely once he will launch his channel I will mention his channel in one of my future videos and I will be back to you with the link because he have lots of gears of testing amps speakers and in terms of amps and speakers he own lots of them just when he come yesterday to pick up the NAD he bring me over 3 amps to look at them so one is a tube H.H.Scott stereomaster then Marantz model2330B and an other that is a diy based on one of Nelson Pass schematics
What makes the 3020 sound good is it's conservative design using oversized output transistors that never strain to produce any power up to full output. The high voltage rails enable high "burst" power and the ability to drive difficult low impedance or high capacitive loads. The clever design minimizes harmonic and intermodulation distortions without the need for high global feedback in the circuit. Too much feedback sounds like shit. Perhaps most important there are no integrated circuits; the 3020 is all discrete. ICs just don't sound as good as discrete, especially back then.
Thanks for your comment I really appreciate the constructive comments on my videos!
I was thinking about recapping some of my old amps. I have a Yamaha CR-1000 from 1974 with all original caps and even though it still sounds fantastic I keep wondering if I could get even better sound. It's not the easiest receiver to work on so I've been putting it off for a while.
The electrolytic capacitors definitely I recommend to change !
How do you consider the bass in the Nad3020, very moderate or little, in my case after changing all the capacitors and calibrating it I am left with little bass, this last calibration I did not do because I did not have the elements, trying another amplifier with the same speakers they have much lower, I can't compare it with another Nad because it doesn't have it, some attribute this to the fact that the English amplifiers have less bass and are flatter than the Japanese ones.
Also depends on which capacitors you may use, because I had so many experiences with the same value of capacitors different brands and they sound different
@@SymbolTech21 thanks!
would be nice to see the list of capacitors you purchased
@@2000nurek thanks for your comment. This was not mine amp. Was a friend and I did this upgrade long ago and what I remember my friend he bought all the parts so I'm not the one who chose the parts
Me personally i don’t like wima capacitors at all. They make sound super harsh what makes me tired after 10-15 min of listening. Im using bipolar caps instead of wima
@@bohdan2752 I never had this experience with wima. Hope the wima you may used they were not genuine. Definitely there is much better caps out there but the price of one cap is the cost of 50 wimas. Need also to stay in a budget as well
@@SymbolTech21 i use Digikey or Mouser only.
@@bohdan2752 so definitely should be genuine parts. I personally didn't notice any harsh on sound using these caps
Clean and Punchy after the cap change. Is NAD 3020i same as this? Also, plaese can you share the details of the new cap that you replaced?
images.app.goo.gl/16qsK6uBUnzCzarj6 and you will see. So I recommend if anyone would like to change the caps to check one by one the values!
What caps can I upgrade for a NAD C350
I suggest you to go with same configuration where you see ceramics go with wimas and those that are on the tone correction use film or polypropylene and for the electrolytics go with nichicon
Great video. I have NAD 302 version, the light is on but can only hear extremely low sound if I crack the volume to the max. Can you suggest anything i can try?
Thanks a lot.
I will start first measuring the power voltage. If that is ok then I will measure the power transistors. If also those are ok you need to check the first transistors and then check the preamp stage
@@SymbolTech21 Thanks will give that a go 👍
Would have been a better guide being able to listen back to back, before and after as well as knowing what else you swapped out inside, You can pick these up for £50 upwards here in the UK and given the amount of work you put in de-soldering then soldering along with the cost of parts I would rather spend the money on a better amp to begin with, Nad 3130pe, Cyrus 1 or 2, Audiolab8000a Pioneer A400 to name but a few. Well presented Video but for me just not enough depth of detail. Thanks and good luck with your growing site.
Thanks I really appreciate your comment the amplifier is not mine is a friend that wanted to do this upgrade and he asked if I want to do it for him so I accept the challenge
I own 2 A400 in mint condition and its a great amp
Hello
great job, congratulations!
I would also like to upgrade my NAD3020E but I have doubts about non-electrolytic capacitors,:
according to which criterion did you choose WIMA TDK and Styroflex?
Have you kept the same values for everyone?
I also have a HUM problem when I turn on it on and I thought I'd solve it by increasing the capacitancy of the Caps in the initial muting circuit, am I doing it right?
Would you have any tips to eliminate the buzz caused by the transformer? I read that changing the caps, with other larger ones, in the PREAMP's PSU could solve, is it a correct way?
Thanks in advance and again congratulations for your work!
Greetings, Dimitri
Hi there! Where do you live?
@@SymbolTech21at the moment France, Paris
@@skadym once I get back home I will attach here my FB link page and maybe we will be able to communicate and helping you with your nad
@@SymbolTech21 thanks a lot
@@skadym here my fb link facebook.com/toni.budau.18
My first amp was a Nad 302 i loved it and am looking out for one now .Even me a novice who can solder a bit could do this couldnt i ???
Should not be hard on doing it. As long you make sure that you replace the parts with new ones that have exactly the same specs.
What ended up being your total cost for all the different capacitors you replaced?
Thanks for your comment. By the way this is an amp that belongs to a viewer that also can say is a friend. So I really don't know how much he paid for all the parts. I just give him the list with the values and he bought them.
Less than $20.00
I'm surprised how empty the chassis is. 😂 It's almost empty. I expected the mainboard to be heavily propagated with components yet its sparsely propagated with very few big capacitors.
I guess it's only 30W RMS per side.
Anyway most interesting video.
A nice assortment of Japanese nichicon capacitors albeit small.
Turn up a really good amp with high quality sound
Beautiful
Good work bro!
Thanks
How much would you charge for the work you have done on this amp
@@paulinchbold2461 I really don't know because I did this job to a very good friend of mine which is living not to far from my home so he bring it to me to upgrade this amp
what exactly volume potentiometer was installed.
@@grzegorzemmm9906 Alps potentiometer
@@grzegorzemmm9906 this type cpc.farnell.com/alps/rk27111220k/potentiometer-20k/dp/RE04204
Was this a recap kit or did you order these all separately? Thank you in advance
We ordered each parts separately
Hi bro congratulations for this great job I’m starting in the audio world so I want a buy an amplifier can yu tell me witch one is better nad 3020 or nad 3020a I’ll setup with kef coda speaker 3 thanks a lot bro
Between these 2 there is just a difference between them in how is designed the preamp inside but both models sound almost the same
@@SymbolTech21 hi bro what about Nad 3120 i need yu opinion please bro thank yu for everything
@@Accz21 is the same as 3020
Instaed of recapping those old NAD¨s i would suggestt buying a NEW class D amp, preferebly with a TPA 3255 amp chip, i used to have a NAD but after comparing it with the power and sound of a S.M.S.L AD 18 i sold it imediatly, guys , there has been a lot of change in amplifier technology the last 20 years!
I know that some people still think that a chip based amp can´t be that good sounding, but really the new models sound really good.
So listen to one and judge for yourself....
But who loves his audio equipment that's the way to treat the equipment
Nice video, and I will do full recap in the futre for sure but now I need to change potentiometer but the problem is, I can't find anywhere this blue alps.
Where did you get it from yours, and what model exactly it should be.
Thanks
So I know that my friend bough the pot and I have to ask him from where he got it
Thanks, I will be grateful
Great job, I have the same amplifier, I want to replace the capacitors in it, would you send me a parts list, it would save me a lot of time
The NAD3020 comes in 2 different models inside so I suggest you to check one by one the capacitors and order same values! I did the same as well because I had a part list with the capacitors for NAD but when I look inside of this one I replaced all the caps I find totally different values
HELLO, I HAVE A 7020 AND IT HAS 2 ORIGINAL MOTOROLA TRANSISTORS 2955 AND TWO THAT ARE NOT ORIGINAL, ONE 3055 AND THE OTHER 3055H, MY QUESTION IS WHETHER THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 3055 AND THE 3055H? SHOULD I REPLACE THEM? THANK YOU
The 3055h have a higher safe operating voltage than 3055 all the rest is the same
Thank you very much for the response, so I shouldn't have to replace it? Does the sound not affect?@@SymbolTech21
@@oficinatraficorosario5504 will not affect the sound the letter at the end shows the max voltage rated just have a look for the datasheet and you will see that
thank you so much!!@@SymbolTech21
Hi. Would you please provide the part list you used ? Also the pontetiometer type? Thanks in advance
You need first to make sure that you have exactly the same model. Because if you do a research on internet you will find the NAD3020 that inside it's totally different so that's why I suggest you to look for that first because not all the parts are the same.
@@SymbolTech21 you are right. The 2200 μf capacitors are lateral on my amp and has a daughter cardat the rear. By the way : 3020 has four 2200 μf capacitors . Why you changed the 2 of them with different type and replaced the other 2 with 10000 μf? What if you change all four with electrolytic 10000 μf?
@@achilleasleousis5030 so are 2capacitors in parallel of 2200uf that gives you a total of 4400uf so I just used only one instead of 2 in parallel of 10000uf. You need to pay attention if the transformer can handle 20000uf capacity because 10000uf it's already to much for the transformer that NAD3020 have inside
How do you connect your Nad to a laptop? My aux cord doesn't fit into the back of the nad,
Hi there, I used normal RCA connectors
hello, I have a Nad 3020A, will there be a problem with the amplifier if I turn on my dac in LAB IN and remove the jumpers from NORMAL IN and PRE OUT? I have never used LAB IN, but when I included my dac in it. The sound has improved significantly. But I don't know if I use this switch, is there a problem with the amplifier? Thanks and send greetings.
Thanks for your comment, I will need to check this option and I will be back with an update
@@SymbolTech21 Thank you for the answer. I will wait for the result.
@@dankolov1839 are you still waiting for a response or did he PM you. I'm in the same boat with my DAC. Cheers
Sorry guys but I don't have this dac to try this option
The power supply originally had four filter capacitors. Why did you decide to only have two ?
Because I increase the capacitance
Fajny film foliowe kondesatory robia robotę ja w moim tez na foliowe wymieniałem i wydaje sie ze jest lepszy brzmienie
Hi, would you mind to send me the parts list? Many Thanks!!!
Hi there, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I don't have the parts list because I just check all capacitors one by one and order the right values!
wow that amp looks suspiciously similar to the pionner sa series
I have to check the pioneers amplifiers to see if it's similar to the nad
@@SymbolTech21not the sa series.. I meant the the A series. The late Sa series are remodeled A series and that's what came to mind. I just thought they looked quite similar
@@HF-7DXM-6DXW-12 I will look to see if it's similar
Hi! Cold you do the same for my NAD3020?
First of all lets see if we are living near by, I am located in UK. What about you?
@@SymbolTech21 I’m in Italy
@@enzodaniele70 Posso chiedere a mio fratello se ha tempo a fare questo lavoro per te. Lui vive in italia.
@@enzodaniele70 anche io ho visuto 9 anni a Torino
@@SymbolTech21 purtroppo sei troppo lontano. Solo di spedizioni e dogana, costerebbe un botto. Come ti chiami? Io Enzo.
Is they're a trusted capacitor company in the UK for complete cap packages for specific amps? I need a complete set for this particular amp. Cheers
I'm in UK as well and I get all the components from mouser!
Interesting video, but why did you remove fopur caps, and replace them with just two? You should say what/why you've done that. The increase in cap value is small as you've left out two og the caps. I see, I think, that you've put two small caps in the place of two of the main caps. This you shoould also have explained what/why you were doing that. So many missed points. Loudness should be out/off and tone controls should be flat (zero - at 12 o'clock). You should also have done the oscilloscope test before, so we could see any change.
Because the 2 new caps the size was bigger and also the capacity was bigger
I noticed that the volume control is way higher for the recap test.
@@mercury8180 yes improved also in power a bit
With of the NAD accolades I have heard, the amp has some unimpressive heat sinkage!
Qué ha ha pasado con el volumen, payo?
The volume is the same, just got improved the sound quality!
I apreciate your aproach to upgrade this amp but IMHO you should be much more knowledgable about circuits, parts and the typical issues that degrade sound over time or in general. While replacing electrolytics might not be the worst idea replacing all the film caps and ceramics dont make any difference whatsoever...I started exactly the same with exactly the same amp quite a few years ago and over the years I realised that much of what I did was a total waste of money while things like cleaning contacts, adjusting bias, cleaning pots and switches, replacing thermal paste, fixing solder joints and having a voodoo priest spray snake oil on a full moons night are the things that really result in improved reliability and sound. The reason why you read that installing all the wimas and styros is improving performance is that this amp isnt only the most sold amp in history it's also the amp the most beginners start their journey and join forums where they discusse with other beginners and none of them really knows what they are doing...I once saw a post where someone who knew basicly nothing proudly bragged that he replaced all the jumpers with copper ones swearing by god the improvement was night and day but if he had only cut one of the original ones apart he would have seen that they were copper all the time....tinned copper...by now probly all of his bare copper jumpers coroded and killed the amp...and seriously...what kind of a silly argument is: Who likes ceramics in audio...thats just the worst argument EVER....coz even high end amps feature ceramics for de/coupling ...study....a LOT.
That's why you should do a research and study more why ceramics are not good in AC coupling in audio. I'm really sorry to tell you but if you have time to look on all my videos you will maybe understand my knowledge in electronics!
OK then tell me...why are ceramics so bad...there's only one valid answer...
@@SymbolTech21 How about a comparison of 3020...one with wimas and one with exactly the same components except ceramics instead of wimas. I will send you two empty 3020 pcbs, psu's and everything you need except the population of the boards You pay postag, I`ll send you the parts...If you have a mail adress I'll show what I send you
@@arnejensen9216 so here we go you have the question and the answer. So you know already that are not good.
@@arnejensen9216 if you go to about tab on my RUclips channel definitely you will find my email address.
You can not call it “ Nad 3020” call “Anything you want to call” because upgrade ready.
Thanks for your comment. But the schematic still remains a bad 3020!
Hello,
Can I send to you my ampli 3020 to do this Upgrade? How much does it cost?
Regards.
@SymbolTech Thanks for your enthusiasm in audio amplifiers / audio DIY amplifiers, an area with very little profit (unless you're those valve amplifier people in Hong Kong selling giant valve amplifiers for 10,000 with rare and 'unique' valves... or a production line person in silicon valley or Shenzhen which prints 5,000 amps, including that idiot " NwAvGuy " with his not very good amp... pretending it's 'super super amazing'
So aside from 'them'... an area with very low profit, however a lot of enthusiasm... (and 97.5% male... btw.... ? Encountered 1 female expert working at Texas Instruments, posting advanced stuff... so yea, some... although very rare)
... so... continued... you 'educated' more than 10,000 viewiers already, in this video (in different ways..... including none... although a little curious..)
ーー
I didn't listen to your microphone comparison, because if there's a difference I think it's not possible to pass through my PC D/a chips, amp chips & speakers.... and still retain the same 'sound difference' after passing through all that、 however, it's still cool that you recorded before & after... and that some youtube commenters listen and " hear something " via their placebo effect / expectation effect ( is it ? )
Look at all these comments " Wow after mod the bass is much tighter, very clear " how can they hear that.... through their Laptop or smartphone DAC chip, laptop or smartphone amp... so the difference 'stays' ... ? So you are joking, or they are joking...
Recap will change the sound signature and therefore the magic will disappear!
When all the capacitors are dry I don't know which sound signature you have. Then you can ask any audiophile if ceramic capacitors are good on audio gear. And please let me know them answers.
@@SymbolTech21 I don't believe capacitors go bad in 50 years at least.I have NAD1155 from the 70's and still sounds crystal clear and more dynamic than anything i have tried!Film capacitors sound bright for sure!I am not a fan of recaping a unit unless it is broken...The sound signature is achieved mainly in result of the material of the components in my opinion.Recaping can change the sound,but that does not necessary mean it will become better.In most cases the caracter of the sound is changed for the worst.
@@beslemeto www.xppower.com/resources/blog/electrolytic-capacitor-lifetime-in-power-supplies#:~:text=Manufacturers%20of%20electrolytic%20capacitors%20specify,to%2010%2C000%20hours%20or%20more. Just read
I dont like to put on the top of amplifire laptop .
Thanks for your comment. So I don't have to much place where I shoot my RUclips videos and only that is the reason why I put on the top of the amplifier the laptop usually in my listening room I put the device next to eachother
Why the f hell have you turned the bass and treble all the way up ?
Because I changed capacitors also on the tone correction section and definitely I needed to understand if have any impact on it!
Both tests sound thin and without bodied sound. This amplifier has a lot of midrage range reproduction. You selected all the treble and bass up. That is a bad thing!! Anyway it sounded cheap. Sorry.
This is how it sounds:
ruclips.net/video/Q9F8Ei4CIWM/видео.html
Thanks for your comment! You need to take in consideration the losses that RUclips reproduce the sound and if you could listen straight away to the speakers rather than reproduced from RUclips maybe you may change your opinion!
10.000 uF instead of 4.400 uF will make for a slower amp.
So increasing the capacity will help to smooth better the rectified voltage
@@SymbolTech21 does it matter what make you use and do they give diffferent sound
@@hamzatatta952 the capacitors on the signal path definitely change the sound depends which capacitors you are using. The smoothing capacitors on the power supplies it's just to smooth the ripples
@@SymbolTech21 I have a beautiful pair of mark audio full range and vintage mission 710 I am using a nad 302 n a Rotel power amp
@@SymbolTech21 I just want to make sure that I buy the write one or I can fit them into my nad to make them Warner What would you advise on ?
same sound little different
Sound much better!
You have to upgrade the op-amps ... upgrading capacitors causes little to no difference, especially if they're all the same values. If you change them all the 3x the value.. then of course 'some' difference, however still tiny. Op-amp circuit chip and DAC circuit chip is where the sound is.
2. It is 'fun' to upgrade parts to the best parts in the world... so yes, that's a respectable pursuit to 'upgrade everything to the best possible', sure, especially if they measure the best. There are uni papers showing that ceramic measures very poorly versus your premium capacitors, in some tests with some equipment... so yes, you're 'correct'.
3. A premium amplifier... should actually... have the premium capacitors from the start... the fact that people " need " to spend 20 hours with a soldering iron... then.. it's not a premium amplifier.. or brand...
So that may explain why one of the best DAC's I heard if from this " DIY master " with all the best capacitors in every area (and best DAC chip ES9018 with best op-amp chips), so the 'master' selects all the best parts... from his occupation of spending time with audio equipment for 10 years.. or his degree.. or both. WIth 1 billion peoiple in China, I can find 'him' just like in Russia, you find 1 Kasparov.
4. Some people think it's all " a waste of time... practice singing... what is this... cable and capacitor ", well, maybe they have tin ears and don't understand, can't hear the measurement... or maybe they don't get some singers are aiming for excellent there... some amp guy aiming for excellent there... later on combine both.
Thanks for your comment and I really appreciate it. I hope that you ever open a nad3020
@@SymbolTech21 Thanks for your enthusiasm in audio amplifiers / audio DIY amplifiers, an area with very little profit (unless you're those valve amplifier people in Hong Kong selling giant valve amplifiers for 10,000 with rare and 'unique' valves... or a production line person in silicon valley or Shenzhen which prints 5,000 amps, including that idiot " NwAvGuy " with his not very good amp... pretending it's 'super super amazing'
So aside from 'them'... an area with very low profit, however a lot of enthusiasm... (and 97.5% male... btw.... ? Encountered 1 female expert working at Texas Instruments, posting advanced stuff... so yea, some... although very rare)
... so... continued... you 'educated' more than 10,000 viewiers already, in this video (in different ways..... including none... although a little curious..)
ーー
I didn't listen to your microphone comparison, because if there's a difference I think it's not possible to pass through my PC D/a chips, amp chips & speakers.... and still retain the same 'sound difference' after passing through all that、 however, it's still cool that you recorded before & after... and that some youtube commenters listen and " hear something " via their placebo effect / expectation effect ( is it ? )
Look at all these comments " Wow after mod the bass is much tighter, very clear " how can they hear that.... through their Laptop or smartphone DAC chip, laptop or smartphone amp... so the difference 'stays' ... ? So you are joking, or they are joking...
@@Xenon777channel no one is joking! Use same connection devices as the laptop same amplifier same speakers and listen to the song and definitely you can heard the difference!
@@SymbolTech21 Thank you for the answer. Yes, same speakers, same amplifier... same DAC... then your microphone recording is much more 'intact' .. ok
@@SymbolTech21 " I hope you open a NAD 3020 " .... why
I like op-amps & the ultra-low distortion Jean Hiraga amplifier... in measurement..
iBasso Audio one of my favorite companies, sell portable amplifiers with more than 12 op-amp included, then diagram & schematic on different combinations. That's my main amp area, b4.
And, you don't need to ' waste time ' with EE degrees or certificates, covering " vast and wide areas ".. just study 1 chapter
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I hope you can hear the Jean Hiraga ultra-low distortion speaker amplifier, + powerful car audio equipment i.e. 80 cm sub-woofer & Pioneer or JVC premium tweeter & mid-range speakers, plus the world's best op-amp's such as National LME49720 in optimal environment (now sold as Texas Instruments __4562), what else... oh DAC.. hm... famous DAC's are the PCM1704 chip... now in old car stereos... sell in ebay for $1000 USD for a very old Denon car stereo... with that chip 1704. So yea, that chip is famous in DAC's, and Denon is also famous with a lot of smart Japanese engineers within car audio. That is " your style ".. 1704..
Then with ultra-modern chips, i.e. ' super best high-tech ', then you are not interested.. haha. Even so, Japan has AKM chips, Cirrus and Texas Instruments have their chips, Analog devices... Sabre ESS... so there's a lot of DAC chips... and all you really need 'to do' is check the best one (from any)... then buy a product with that, that's all. ~
Not much difference!
Definitely if you listen straight to it not through recording process and then RUclips, there is improvement.
You have the bass and treble maxed, and the loudness on??? One way to screw up the sound on one of the best sounding amplifiers ever.
The reason why I did the test in that way is because also before changing the caps the pots was in the same position and just to show the difference with the new caps.