NAD C 3050 Stereophonic Amplifier

NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio components, has launched the C 3050 stereophonic amplifier at High End Munich in Germany. The amplifier draws upon aesthetic cues from the 1970’s while boasting class-leading amplification – a HybridDigital UcD output stage and high-performance Texas Instruments PCM5242 differential DAC work together to deliver wonderful detail, immersive three-dimensionality, and thrilling dynamics. The C 3050 also features NAD’s MDC2 future proofing technology. By installing an optional module into the MDC2 expansion slot on the rear panel, listeners can add exciting new capabilities like BluOS™ high-resolution multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction.

A mix of retro and modern elements on the C 3050 make for a visually striking yet functionally impressive amplifier that captures the essence of NAD’s history and tradition. Dual VU meters, push-button input selectors, a walnut-finished vinyl-clad cabinet, and a dark grey front panel displaying the original New Acoustic Dimension logo in its 1970s cursive typeface seamlessly blend musings of the past with technologies of the future.

Employing NAD’s proven HybridDigital UcD amplifier technology, the C 3050 delivers 100 Watts per channel of continuous power and 135 Wpc of instantaneous peak power for effortless reproduction of musical transients. Noise and distortion are virtually immeasurable through the entire audio-band, resulting in neutral, distortion-free sound through any loudspeaker load — even at high listening levels. A powerful digital section leverages Texas Instruments’ PCM5242 high-resolution differential DAC, a design known for its excellent dynamic performance and immunity to clock jitter to ensure that every digital source is reproduced with musicality, stunning clarity, and pinpoint soundstage.

The C 3050 features the latest generation of NAD’s Modular Design Construction future-proofing technology, MDC2, which allows users to add new functions and features by inserting a module into the MDC2 slot on the back panel. The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module delivers two highly desirable capabilities: BluOS high-resolution music streaming and Dirac Live room correction.

Featuring dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet, the highly acclaimed BluOS platform brings integrated support for more than 20 popular streaming services, including several that offer lossless and high-resolution audio, such as Amazon Music Ultra HD, Deezer, Qobuz, and Tidal. BluOS supports high-resolution audio to 24-bit/192 kHz, with MQA decoding and rendering capability for studio-quality streaming. The MDC2 BluOS-D module also allows for playback from a personal library and thousands of internet radio stations. With the MDC2 BluOS-D card installed, the C 3050 can be part of a whole-home music system with as many as 64 zones.

Various options for music control are made possible with the BluOS Controller app, available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. The MDC2 BluOS-D supports Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, so users can cue up music in the apps for those services, then transfer playback to the C 3050. Support for Apple AirPlay 2 allows streaming to the MDC2 BluOS-D from any app on an iPhone, iPad or Macintosh computer. Playback by voice is possible using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri, while advanced bidirectional aptX HD Bluetooth connectivity allows users to stream directly to the MDC2 BluOS-D from a smart device, or stream audio from the C 3050 to a pair of wireless headphones.

The optional MDC2 BluOS-D lets C 3050 owners address the weakest link in most music systems: the listening environment. Using a series of test tones played out to the listeners’ speakers, Dirac’s powerful software analyses the results and creates correction filters to counteract common acoustic problems like standing waves and unwanted reflections.

With its full suite of digital and analogue inputs, the C 3050 makes room for various source components. Inputs include an ultra-low-noise MM phono input for turntable connection, HDMI eARC, coaxial, optical digital, and a pair of line-level analogue inputs. Listeners can connect two pairs of speakers with Speaker A/B switching, as well as a subwoofer. The C 3050 also has a dedicated headphone amplifier, and pre-out/main-in jacks to connect to a more powerful amplifier, or the option to be used as a preamp only. The C 3050 includes an IR remote control and has installer-friendly features like 12V trigger and IR input.

Cinema Imports (Pty) Ltd t/a AV Imports / www.avimports.co.za / 082 571-6568