Description
"Best Product Integrated Amplifier" - EISA Awards 2023-2024
Externally, the C 3050 is a homage to NAD's earlier models with its faithfully executed vintage style, but in every other respect it is a thoroughly modern integrated amplifier with a core idea of everything-takes-care-of. Rated at 2 x 100 watts, it comes via Class D amplification, and connections include HDMI eARC, a separate mm phono input and more. And when you connect the optional BluOS-D card to the NAD, the functionality expands to include streaming options (including app control and multi-room capabilities) and Dirac room calibration. While the technical implementation of tomorrow offers impressive sound quality, you can admire the large VU meters on the front panel of the C 3050. So the internal and external implementation are convincing!
NAD C 3050 stereo amplifier
NAD (New Audio Dimension) was founded in 1972 and to celebrate its 50th anniversary, a special edition model, the C3050 LE, was released. The limited edition model is sold out, but the manufacturer decided to continue manufacturing the product. The NAD C3050 amplifier has a great retro design, a walnut cabinet, two real VU meters, push-button switches and NAD's classic 1970s product logo.
The vintage exterior hides a completely modern amplifier with advanced features such as a HybridDigital UcD amplifier, an MDC2 module slot for BluOs/Dirac modules, and an HDMI eARC input.
The C 3050 stereo amplifier brings NAD's 50-year history of innovation to the future of hi-fi. With dual VU meters, push-button selectors, a walnut-finished vinyl-covered cabinet and 1970s cursive-style branding, the C 3050 evokes the components that helped a generation of music lovers discover the joys of great sound. With a 100-watt per channel HybridDigital UcD amplifier and a Texas Instruments high-resolution differential DAC, the C 3050 delivers sound that will delight today's discerning listeners. And with NAD's MDC2 future-proofing technology, C 3050 owners can add cutting-edge features like BluOS high-resolution multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction.
Vintage-inspired
The C 3050's industrial design is inspired by the 1970s classic, the NAD 3030 stereo amplifier. Vintage styling elements include two illuminated VU meters, source selection buttons, a walnut-finished vinyl-covered cabinet, and a dark gray front panel with the original New Acoustic Dimension logo in 1970s cursive script.
Completely modern
Featuring NAD’s renowned HybridDigital UcD amplifier technology, the C 3050 delivers 100 watts continuous and 135 watts peak power per channel, ensuring effortless reproduction of musical transients. Noise and distortion are virtually undetectable across the entire audio spectrum. The result is a neutral and inviting sound through any speaker load – even at high listening levels.
The C 3050 reproduces the music you love with stunning detail, immersive three-dimensionality and exciting dynamics.
The digital section uses Texas Instruments' PCM5242 high-resolution differential DAC, known for its excellent dynamic performance and clock jitter tolerance, enabling the C 3050 to deliver stunning musical performance, stunning clarity and a precise soundstage from all your digital sources.
Future-proof
The C 3050 features NAD’s latest generation of modular MDC2 technology, a future-proof technology that allows users to add new functions and features by inserting an additional module into the MDC2 slot on the rear panel. MDC2 is a completely new design that enables two-way communication between the expansion module and the host device. The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module offers two highly sought-after features: BluOS high-resolution music streaming and Dirac Live room correction.
The world of music
The MDC2 BluOS-D’s dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet connect you to virtually all the music ever recorded through the award-winning BluOS wireless music management system. The intuitive BluOS Controller app allows listeners to access over 20 popular streaming services, including several lossless and high-resolution audio services such as Amazon Music Ultra HD, Deezer, Qobuz and Tidal. BluOS supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz and features MQA decoding and rendering for studio-quality streaming. The MDC2 BluOS-D also lets you play music from your personal library and thousands of internet radio stations through the C 3050 stereo amplifier.
MDC2 BluOS-D It supports Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, so you can record music from these services’ apps and then stream it to the C 3050. Apple AirPlay 2 is also supported, so you can stream audio to the MDC2 BluOS-D from any app on your iPhone, iPad or Macintosh computer. You can also control playback with voice commands using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri.
Once the MDC2 BluOS-D is installed, the C 3050 can be part of a whole-home music system with up to 64 zones. You can play different music in different rooms, each with its own volume control, or play the same music in different rooms simultaneously. Thanks to the MDC2's bi-directional architecture, music from any source connected to the C 3050 can be streamed to BluOS-compatible components in other rooms.
Working in the room
The MDC2 BluOS-D allows C 3050 owners to address the weakest link in most music systems – the listening environment. Simply connect the included microphone to the MDC2 BluOS-D’s USB port, then follow the instructions in the easy-to-use Dirac Live app. Dirac plays test tones through your speakers, analyzes the results, and then creates correction filters that correct common acoustic problems such as standing waves and unwanted reflections. The results are revolutionary. With Dirac Live*****, you’ll experience significantly improved bass definition, greater tonal accuracy, and more precise imaging. Thanks to the MDC2’s bidirectional communication capability, you’ll enjoy these benefits with all sources connected to the C 3050. You can create up to five Dirac presets for different listening positions or room conditions, such as whether the curtains are open or closed.
Combines well
With a full range of digital and analogue inputs, the C 3050 supports all your source devices. Vinyl fans will appreciate the C 3050's ultra-low noise MM turntable. For movies and TV, the C 3050 has an HDMI eARC port for connecting to a high-definition TV, allowing the C 3050 to act as the hub of a powerful 2- or 2.1-channel home theatre system. The C 3050 also has line-level analogue coaxial digital and optical digital inputs.
Listeners can connect two pairs of speakers with the speaker A/B switch, as well as a subwoofer. Bi-directional aptX HD Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream audio to the C 3050 from a smart device, and audio from the C 3050 to wireless headphones. The C 3050 also features a separate headphone amplifier and pre-out/main input connections, allowing you to connect a more powerful amplifier and use the C 3050 as a stand-alone pre-amp. The C 3050 includes an infrared remote control and installation-friendly features such as a 12V trigger and infrared input.
Truly timeless
Features and information
- Retro design elements include front-panel VU meters, push-button controls, 1970s cursive branding, walnut-finished vinyl-covered cabinet, and dark gray front panel
- HybridDigital UcD amplifier
- Full Disclosure Power: 100 watts continuous per channel into 8/4 ohms
- Instantaneous power: 135 watts per channel
- Low harmonic and intermodulation distortion
- MDC2 port for extended functionality
- Optional MDC2 BluOS-D module adds BluOS high-resolution multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live* room correction
- High-performance 32-bit/384 kHz TI PCM5242 differential DA converter
- Ultra-low noise MM turntable input with infrasound filtering circuit
- One optical, one coaxial digital input
- HDMI eARC input
- One line-level analog input with low-noise buffer amplifiers
- Speaker A/Speaker B outputs
- Subwoofer output
- Separate headphone amplifier
- Two-way Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth
- IR remote control
- CI compatible – 12V trigger output, IR input
Specification:
LINE INPUT, PRE-OUT
- THD (20Hz-20kHz)
- <0.005% at 2V out
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- >95 dB (IHF; A-weighted, ref. 500 mV out, Unity gain)
- Channel separation
- >100 dB (1 kHz) >90 dB (10 kHz)
- Input impedance (R and C)
- 28 kohms + 360 pF
- Maximum input signal
- >4.5 Vrms (ref. 0.1 % THD)
- Output impedance
- 440 ohms
- Input sensitivity
- 270 mV (ref. 500 mV out, Volume maximum)
- Frequency response
- ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Maximum voltage output - IHF load
- >2 V (ref. 0.1 % THD)
PHONO INPUT, PRE-OUT
- THD (20Hz-20kHz)
- <0.03% at 2 V out
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- >79 dB (200 ohms source; A-weighted, ref. 500 mV out)
- Input Impedance (R and C)
- 46 kohms/100 pF
- Input sensitivity
- 5.5 mV (ref. 500 mV out, Volume maximum)
- Frequency response
- ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Maximum input signal at 1kHz
- >80 mVrms (ref. 0.1% THD)
LINE INPUT, HEADPHONE OUT
- THD (20Hz-20kHz)
- <0.005% at 1V out
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- >96 dB (32 ohms loads; A-WTD, ref. 2 V out, Unity gain
- Frequency response
- ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Channel separation
- >60 dB at 1kHz
- Output impedance
- Output impedance
MAIN IN, SPEAKER OUT
- Continuous output power into 8 ohms and 4 ohms
- 100W (ref. 20 Hz-20 kHz at rated THD, both channels driven)
- THD (20Hz-20kHz)
- <0.03% (250 mW to 100 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- >95dB (A-weighted, 500 mV input, ref. 1 W out in 8 ohms)
- Clipping power
- >115 W (at 1 kHz 0.1% THD)
- IHF dynamic power
- 8 ohms: 180 W
- 4 ohms: 250W
- 2 ohms: 300 W
- Peak output current
- >20A (in 1 ohm, 1 ms)
- Frequency response
- ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Channel separation
- >75dB (1kHz)
- >70dB (10kHz)
- Input sensitivity (for 100 W in 8 ohms)
- 540 mV
Digital: -6dBFS - Power consumption – at Auto Standby ON and Network Standby OFF
- 0.5W*
- Power consumption – at Auto Standby ON and Network Standby ON
- 2.0W**
- Power consumption – OFF mode (Power switched OFF)
- 0.1W
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
- Gross dimensions (W x H x D) ****
- 450 x 110 x 355mm
- Net weight
- 10 kg
- Shipping weight
- 12.6 kg
* – After 20 minutes of no user interface interaction and no active source input
** – With established wired or wireless network connection, wireless Bluetooth connectivity and no user interface interaction and no active source input for 20 minutes
**** – Gross dimension includes feet, volume knob and extended front and rear panel terminals.
