The NAD 3130 is a vintage stereo integrated amplifier that NAD Electronics produced and sold from 1985 to 1987.
Origins and Heritage
Successor to the Legend: Built on the design success of the iconic NAD 3020, the NAD 3130served as a slightly more powerful "big brother".
Design Philosophy: Conceived by European audiophiles with a focus on raw acoustic performance rather than flashy cosmetics.
Manufacturing: While engineered under European and international design philosophies, production was outsourced to cost-effective Asian markets like Taiwan or South Korea to keep consumer prices low.
Key Specifications and Features
Power Output: Rated conservatively at 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms, but engineered with high-current output stages capable of short-term dynamic bursts between 60 and 80 watts.
Phono Stage: Featured a versatile moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) switchable phono input located on the rear panel.
Acoustic Controls: Included a bass EQ switch for a low-end boost, an infrasonic rumble filter, and separate preamplifier/power amplifier bridging jacks on the back.
Original Cost: Priced around $229.95 in the US or 648 DM in Germany during its mid-1980s run.
Legacy
Reputation: It remains celebrated today as a budget-friendly, no-frills classic that punches well above its 30-watt rating.
This unit is technically 100%, but please note that it has some faceplate discolouration.
