3240PE Stereo Receiver
Date of manufacture : Sep 88 - ?
Please note that this document contains the text from the original product brochure, and some technical statements may now be out of date
According to a long-established industry custom, the highest-quality parts and most highly refined designs are found only in separate audio components - in preamps, power amplifiers, and tuners. Integrated amplifiers usually arc made to a less exalted standard, while all-in-one stereo receivers are regarded as mid-fi products suitable only for first-time buyers.
But not at NAD. Whether you choose the flexibility of separates, the convenience of an integrated amplifier, or the economy of a receiver, all NAD audio components share a single design philosophy. Often the very same highly-refined circuits are used in both separates and combination products. For example, the NAD 3240PE integrated amplifier contains the best-buy 2240PE power amplifier, combined with preamplifier and control circuits similar to those in the 1240PE preamp. The 3240PE costs only a little more than other “medium-power” amplifiers, but its no-frills exterior conceals a powerhouse of advanced design. Its high-current output stage delivers full output to loudspeakers of any impedance (even as low as 2 ohms), producing peak currents up to 25 amperes for precise dynamic control of speaker voice-coil motion.
The 3240PE is conservatively rated to deliver 40 watts of continuous power per channel into either 8 or 4 ohms, but i t s Power Envelope design yields extraordinary reserves of tone-burst power for music. With +6 dB of dynamic headroom, the 3240PE delivers over 160 watts per channel at 8 ohms (200 watts/ channel at 4 or 2 ohms) for the high-level transient peaks in today’s wide-range recordings. And the 3240PE puts out 100 watts per channel of clean, clear power for the full 200-millisecond duration of the notes and chords of a grand piano, symphony orchestra, or large jazz band.
The preamplifier section of the 3240PE is based on the 1240PE’s outstandingly quiet, wide-range phono stage. It features precise RIAA equalisation, very low noise, and ample headroom to accommodate the highest-level peaks without distortion. The dynamic range o f the phono preamp circuit exceeds 100 dB. Bass EQ provides solid, subwoofer-like reinforcement of the low bass, extending the useful response of most loudspeakers an extra half-octave lower. It strengthens the fundamental tones of pipe organ, bass drum, and synthesizer with no boomy mid bass emphasis. The Bass EQ circuit rolls off sharply below 30 Hz to avoid woofer damage and minimise unwanted cone-flapping caused by note-musical signals such as LP disc warps.
NAD’s unusually useful tone controls provide musically effective corrections at very low and high frequencies without altering the amplifier’s fundamentally neutral midrange sound.
Preamp Out and Main In jacks make it easy for you to upgrade your audio system by adding an equaliser, a surround-sound processor, an electronic crossover, or another power amplifier.
NAD amplifiers are praised around the world for their advanced engineering, modest pricing, uncomplicated controls, and state-of-the-art sonic performance. For accuracy, freedom from noise and distortion, and supremely musical sound quality, the 3240PE is unmatched in value. It has power reserves to drive the finest loudspeakers with ease, and it will do justice to the finest recordings.
