jgb233 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding my next purchase. I wasn't sure whether to post this in Entry Level (as that is very much where I am) or in amplification. So if this should be in entry level instead let me know and I'll move this over there.

Basically, I'm looking to upgrade my amplifier and I've so far narrowed it down to the NAD D3020 and the Sprout. What do you think of these options, and is there any similar products I'm missing. My budget is around $600. I'll quickly say what I have already, and what I'm looking for in an amp, and then any advice anyone could give would be much appreciated.

Current set up:
Rega Rp1 w/ performance pack
Rega A2D preamp
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 speakers
A Denon DM 38 compact hifi that I'm now just using as a CD player/DAB
An old knackered Pioneer amp from the mid 1980s that was a hand me down from my Dad when he recently upgraded his amp
Grado 325e headphones

While I'm aware there are a few parts of my set up that could do with some upgrading, like the speakers and the CD player, I don't have a great deal of money so have decided to focus on the amp for now.

I'm after something that has good analogue connectivity that can take both vinyl and CD. But I would also like some decent digital options as well, such as DAC and bluetooth. A headphone jack is a must as well. I also do like how compact both of these are. While looks are really not that important, selling my girlfriend on the idea of a huge bulky amp is far tricker than sleek, well designed things like these.

Sprout
Geared towards Vinyl. Built in phono stage (but is this better than the Rega I already have?)
Has bluetooth, but it is not Apt-x
Headphone jack with built in headphone amp

NAD
It has analogue inputs, but it's almost impossible to find any reviews or information about the NAD that comments on how well it handles vinyl. Can any one speak to this?
Has a headphone jack, but I'm unclear how good the amp is?
Bluetooth with Apt-x
Has an optical input too, which the sprout does not

Which is the better option here? And are there any other amps that I should consider instead?

Thanks for the help.

Those are two different animals with two different sets of features.

If one has a feature that is important to you, and the other does not, that will push you in that direction.

I don't think either one is a very good amplifier.

Based on the other gear you have, I think you need a better amplifier to round out your system and get the best out of it..

I suggest that you look at the Music Hall A15.3 amplifier. It has a phono input, quite a bit of power, headphone output, pre-outs which could be used for a subwoofer, and a remote control unit.

It sells for $549, which I think is a real bargain; it is a very good amplifier.