Amazon.com: Customer reviews: NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019

Great amplifier. Pure, clean sound in a compact form factor. My only complaint is the remote. You have to be within about 6’ of the amplifier and pointed right at it for the remote to work. Very frustrating. Also, the display is very small...volume levels are easy to read, but source selections are tiny and impossible to read unless you are standing directly in front of the device. Still, these are minor annoyances. I feel I made the right choice and am very happy overall with this amplifier.

Helpful

ASK@NWCLIPS

I KINDA WANT TO RATE THIS JUST THREE STARS

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021

Verified Purchase

This was an upgrade from the NAD 3020v2 only after a LOT of deliberation primarily around price as I found that ultimately comparable units from other manufacturers cost more.
Also, while I wanted to try eqpt from a different mfr. we really love the 3020, many reviews from people who did the same upgrade indicate that it was a good move.
The reason for the upgrade from the 3020 is that it is NOT strong enough to power a turntable even though it has the input capability and the newly purchased turntable was otherwise useless, so rather than acquiring a pre-amp it made sense to go with a more powerful amp.
From the get go, I was Shocked at the Size Difference between the 3020 and the 3045. One of the things about the 3020 is its petite footprint: I Love that! The 3045 is Mongo in comparison and I Don't love that.
Another thing lovely about the 3020 is its high quality fit and finish. The 3045 disappoints in this department. The unit I rcvd. came with a flawed casing trim that looks like and is cheap plastic and its two ends don't line up well making it obvious where the seam is.
Also, the remote, which admittedly has improved function over the notoriously weak 3020 came with a battery tray that fits loosely into the module and looks as though it is going to work its way out of its slot, and while it does actually work I am not at all impressed by the poor 'Made in China' fit and finish of the overall device including the remote.
As to sound reproduction, well, it is difficult to criticize this for it is truly exceptional. All of the mid to high range sound elements are discrete and pristine creating a sound that is bright and crystalline and impressively so. As to the low end, or bass elements, this machine is pre-progammed with varying levels of what the company calls high pass which I understand is to accommodate the use of a sub-woofer. What it does is allow one to decide the crossover for the bass response with the signal split between speakers and subwoofer at pre-set crossover levels. There are four different levels (40, 80, 120 and BassEQ), the higher the setting the less bass response sent to the main speakers.
On a practical level, running through Q3050 tower speakers, is that at 120 the sound is far too bright and becomes unpleasant to hear after a short time; the next step down (or up), 80, allows more bass, but is still too bright and bass light.
Meanwhile, the next setting, 40, actually sends too much low end to the speakers (audioQ3050) causing a muddled and thumpy bass response. Fortunately, the Q3050's come with foam dampers that can be fitted into the bass port which was exactly what was needed for our room to give a fully dimensional bass beat and low end sound. Not sure what the BassEQ does but using it results in a lot more bass response that is beyond what we want, and as the 40mhz setting in conjunction with foam dampers in place on the 3050's works really, really well, that is this system is to be played.
Note that this unit does power a phonograph adequately, but if you play a lot of record LPs I would NOT recommend buying this machine for this purpose unless you also get some kind of a pre-amp or are only playing it in an intimate setting.
Also, this machine has a USB that people are using for high quality streaming devices. This is something that we are definitely interested in exploring, so points to NAD for that thoughtful addition.
The notoriously weak remote of the 3020 is improved upon with the 3045 but NAD should have included a function that allows one to revert or go back to the previous Bass pass setting without having to cycle through them all in order to revert to the immediately previous setting.
The biggest reason we stuck with NAD for this upgrade is the Auto Off feature which is a critical component because this is primarily used as a nighttime pre-sleep wind down device and it would make us crazy if the thing stayed on all night after our selection has played through. It is difficult to know which other, similar amps have this feature and how well it works. NAD's auto off function is Excellent and it seemed like more effort than it was worth to actually find a device that both sounds as good or better than the 3045 does and which has a reliable auto off function. This was really the determinative factor in our buying decision.
Now then, if this machine is that good, why rate it only three stars? For the following reasons:
1) Dimensions are mongo compared to the 3020.
2) Fit and finish are punk.
3) Function display is weak so that it is difficult to see from a distance what function is in use, unlike the 3020 which stacked them so one could tell by the position of the maker light which of the functions was activated (phono, Bluetooth, Aux., etc). Having said that, while the added knob on this device for changing functions is convenient I frankly would prefer less knob if it also meant smaller case dimensions.
4) Finally, as to sound reproduction. It is a funny thing but the 3020, as set up in our bedroom, created a sound stage that, with closed eyes one could almost imagine an instrument being played in the room. The 3045's sound reproduction, on the other hand is so clear and pristine that it is almost clinical so that, with closed eyes, one truly appreciates how well-produced the tracks are. In other words, the 3045 sounds like studio perfection, but one is never fooled into believing one is listening to a live instrument (I speak of this only in the context of listening to the speakers in their ideal soundstage). This is fantastic for music that is highly produced so, for instance, and I am going to drop names here, a song like 3raniac's Fresh New Eyes is perfect for this kind of listening. I would argue that some music will only fully reveal itself to your ears if listened to through something like the 3045, e.g. highly produced, multi-textural, layered sound.
On the other hand, more straight forward music production of what should be just a band playing music is going to sound like professionally reproduced studio sound when coming from the 3045.
Funnily enough, it wasn't until listening to the music from outside of the sound stage was I fooled by the 3045 into thinking I was hearing live instrumentation and it was when the saxaphones come in on Moondog's 'Bird's lament' and, also to Howlin' Wolf's 'How Many More Years'.
After this experience I have come to appreciate the 3045's delivery a bit more in relation to the 3020 which could never make an instrument sound live outside of its direct line of sound, or soundstage.
To deserve 5 stars this 3045 needed to be smaller in overall size; have immaculate fit and finish; more functionality of remote's features; better display elements on the amp case itself.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Profoundsoup

What more do you need?

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

Got this amp a few days ago to use at my desk workstation. I upgraded from the NAD 3020 V1 to this amp and at first, when I ordered it I was a bit hesitant that a made a good choice since I still liked my 3020. The next day it showed up at my door and I got everything hooked up to my PC using the USB connection and connected my Monitor Audio Bronze 1 speakers. I then started to play some music off Tidal and it was at that moment I thought to myself. NAD's design philosophy went a bit something like this...

Employee- "Sir the 3020 is getting such amazing reviews but it's now 5 years old and we SOMEHOW have to make it sound even better".

Manager - "Hold my beer, we got this."

Needless to say, it sounds great. The increase from 30 watts to 60 really made a difference is speaker dynamics. It felt like I bought an upgraded pair of speakers without actually going out and buying new speakers. Everything just got taken up 1 click. I really have no complaints so far and really don't see how anyone could need anything more than this since it has every connection you could possibly want to use in the year 2019.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

If you're streaming via BlueTooth don't buy the D3045.

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2019

Verified Purchase

After reading positive reviews I bought the D3045 to replace a similar, bargain-basement BlueTooth/DAC/amp combo. I'm an audiophile and this was for a secondary living room system. Speakers are the small-but-excellent MB Quart One's on stands. My primary source is streaming music from either Android phone or SurfacePro computer playing Spotify and a large collection on a server via Foobar 2000. The key here is >>streaming over BlueTooth<<.

My expectations were high. It didn't occur to me that the negative feedback could be right. But it was. It's mindboggling that a $750 product could have so many serious flaws:

> Audio quality through BlueTooth was appallingly bad, far worse than the cheapo unit that this replaced.
No highs, sounded like speakers were under a barrel. How bad? 2 very uncritical listeners asked me what was
wrong with the stereo. This is my main listening mode, so unacceptable.
> The remote control is pretty useless , as other reviewers have noted. Read the other bad reviews,
I won't repeat them. Unacceptable in a $750 product.
> The user interface is terrible. Having to scroll through settings to do what you want on a half-size
remote is absurd.
> The display is so dim as to be unusable, even on the bright setting

I'm at a loss to understand how this thing got so much positive feedback. Maybe my unit was defective? If BlueTooth sound quality was OK then I might be able to live with the ergonomic flaws. But it isn't so I can't. I returned it today.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ahargs05

Perfect for my desktop workstation

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021

Verified Purchase

I connected the NAD amp to my macbook pro with a USB Type B cable for lossless audio with Apple Music. It's driving a pair of KEF LS50 Meta speakers and the 60 watts per channel is adequate although hopefully a future version will have a bit more. I got so frustrated trying to stream audio to a HomePod with airplay 2 or other bluetooth solutions where there are delays and dropped connections. For me a wired connection is must also since I do some video editing and any lag from wireless is a dealbreaker. I also love that it has the ability to stand upright and I can just reach over to adjust the volume old school way. when powering back on it remembers the settings and so does my Mac. I also use SoundSource for EQ settings. The compact size is awesome too and looks good beside the KEF's. The remote control is a slightly cheap and the buttons don't have a solid or tactile feel to them but I don't really care. I only use it to turn the unit on and off and then use the volume dial. This was really the only amp I could find that had all these qualities and I couldn't be happier. Finally have a seamless audio solution while working which is the only time I have to enjoy music. Highly recommended!

Helpful

remullen

Great amplifier! Need to put much more work into the remote usability.

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2019

Verified Purchase

This amplifier sounds great for the money! Glad I purchased it! Very clean, dynamic, and clear when working with any source except for Bluetooth. (Although I didn't try the phono input)

Two downsides:
1. The remote seems like a joke. I've tried everything to get it to work well and it just works frustratingly badly every time. Just barely turns on the amp, just barely moves volume up and down. All, it seems, only if you're lucky. I've tried everything, batteries, ensuring all plastic wrap was removed, ensuring nothing is covering the transmitter or receiver, (reading the instructions!), reading reviews. Seems no help out there.
2. The Bluetooth audio quality is horrible. Bluetooth from my phone to the amplifier is something I can't listen to. Bluetooth from my phone, to my TV, TV to the amplifier is great! There's something amiss in the electronics from the amplifier's Bluetooth receiver to their great amplifier section.

If the remote and Bluetooth worked well, this amplifier would get 5 stars. Neither do, so 3 stars.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Does the Job

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023

Verified Purchase

I wanted to power some bookshelves for my PC as well as my headphones. This does the job pretty well. Powers the speakers great. Big volume knob is very tactile. Connectivity is great.

Minor complaint is that it has no TRS (6.3mm) headphone output, just the 3.5mm TR connector, which means it's not as useful for headphone amplification.

Other issue: In bluetooth mode, if the source does not output sound for a while, and sound resumes, the system seems to go into a standby and need 2-3 seconds to recognize the incoming input and begin playing again. Fine if you're playing music off a phone via bluetooth. Less fine if you wanted to connect to anything for playing movies etc., because you're forced to rewind.

Overall, very happy but I might look to split the speakers and the headphone amplification at a later date.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

XD

Perfection

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2018

Verified Purchase

The nad d 3045 is literally perfect. I bought it to replace my emotiva pt100 and basx a300 that were powering my kef ls50s. Mainly because of space but when I read the features I had to try it.

If you're considering the d 3045 buy it. It's worth it. It is compact, it learns the volume controls and other buttons from your TV remote so you can control it with your TV remote, it has an hdmi in with arc, great power (powers my kef ls50s with ease) and it makes my speakers sound great.

17 people found this helpful

Helpful

roustabout

nice sounding, hobbled by firmware and remote

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

I needed a dac/amp for the bedroom which supported 4 ohm speakers, USB input, had a fair amount of power available and wasn't hugely expensive. I also thought about the Peachtree Nova 150 but ultimately felt it was too costly, at close to 1000 dollars more.

In my current setup, the headphone amp is not in use, but having the option available is nice.

The 3045 sounds nice to me. it drives Gallo CL-1 speakers and a Dayton sub1000L and is able to do just fine with them. the Gallos' remarkable imaging shines through, and the sub sounds quite good most of the time - I listen to classical, americana and watch TV and movies with system, and the sub can be overloud in the video context despite being levelled correctly for music.

I tried out the highpass filters before installing the sub, and recommend against using them. Most subs can manage on their own. I understand the efficiency argument for using highpass filtering for small main speakers, but in my setup, the sound is notably worse with the bass manipulation engaged.

All in all, it sounds good - yet is a 3 star product which I'm concerned NAD may be abandoning.

It earns its low rating due to glaring functionality problems, which NAD seems not to plan on fixing. Most obvious is the hit-or-mostly-miss power on dysfunctionality with the remote. Power switching fails to work a good 8 times or more out of 10. It isn't a bad remote, as I see the same behavior with a Logitech Harmony 650 universal remote. There is a defined software upgrade process - but despite the problem being called out in many reviews, no software update has been made available.

The product documentation references an auto-wake feature to save power. The feature seems not to work, or not to work with a USB source. What isn't documented or evident is visual feedback letting us know if auto-wake has been enabled. It ought to be simple to add an indicator to the screen when the wake feature is armed, and that could be done via - yes - a software update.

I suspect that the bass manipulation's negative impact on the amp's sound could be improved a great deal - with a software update.

Overall, my system sounds quite good - in spite of itself. It would be all too easy to accidentally engage bass shaping, for instance, and be disappointed with the sound but not sure how to fix it. My amp runs 24/7 because the wake feature isn't working and powering it on fails so often. will that result in its premature failure?

If NAD makes an update available, I will revisit this review. At minimum, that will relieve the concern about the 3045 being abandoned.

19 people found this helpful

Helpful

Insu Lee

I regret this purchase. I'm going to sell mine

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

This was supposedly an upgrade from my NAD C326 BEE V2. This does everything well so I wanted more.
Turns out, D3045 has many features, but they aren't for me.
First of all sound quality, if was a bit leaner sound than C326.
It has slightly higher bass in comparison but if you feed line level input to sub then this isn't an issue.
Features, I didn't really many of its features. Features I really wanted from this were: HDMI ARC / DAC / AMP combo. essentially In wanted a good compact integrated amp taking HDMI-ARC/eARC for convenience.
It does it well but with 2 cons:
- too fine grain control of volume and it's slow to change it. ie. adjusting volume from -40db to -30db would take well over 5 sec.
- it functions well for first 3-4 hours. then it drops hdmi arc connection
it happened twice while watching a couple of movies. and multiple times when spending weekends with Netflix shows. (this is the main reason I'm getting rid of this)

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier

›

Customer reviews

Customer reviews

NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier

Top positive review

Top critical review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier › Customer reviews

Customer reviews

NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier

Top positive review

Top critical review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier

›

Customer reviews