For its 50th anniversary, British specialist NAD is going back to its roots with an exceptional hi-fi amplifier: the NAD C3050 LE (LE = Limited Edition). Limited to only 1972 units in reference to the year the brand was founded, this amp skillfully combines a vintage design and modern technology with a digital amplification of 2 x 100 watts, access to streaming services and full range of connectors with analog and digital inputs, including an eARC HDMI port.
NAD C3050 LE: a legacy
The British manufacturer NAD (New Acoustic Dimension) was born in 1972 from the meeting between Marty Borish and Bjorn Erik Edvardsen and their desire to break with the complexity and high cost of hi-fi equipment of the time. This approach has enabled the brand to quickly carve out a prominent place in the hi-fi world thanks to the excellent value of its equipment. To achieve this, engineers experimented and refined electronic designs almost obsessively. This determination led to the creation of the best-selling hi-fi amplifier in history: the NAD 3020. It was later joined by the NAD 3030, which still remains one of the brand’s iconic creations and from which the new NAD C3050 LE edition draws all its inspiration.
NAD C3050 LE : vintage design
A true tribute to the NAD 3030 produced between 1978 and 1981, the NAD C3050 LE amplifier has the same visual identity, with a particularly elegant retro design. The chassis is covered with a walnut veneer on the top and sides. The black aluminum front panel features two needle VU meters, as well as controls and buttons that are very similar to those of the original model. A real collector’s item for vintage design lovers.
NAD C3050 LE: HybridDigital UcD
Naturally, the British hi-fi specialist has hidden contemporary technologies behind the vintage aesthetics of the NAD C3050 LE amp. It features the HybridDigital UcD amplification that was tried-and-tested on the NAD C700. This proprietary technology is characterized by high efficiency and a very high damping factor. The NAD C3050 LE is capable of delivering up to 100 watts per channel into 4 and 8 ohms. Enough to efficiently power most bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. Moreover, this power is available instantly and delivered with an imperceptible distortion that can be controlled via the VU meters.
NAD C3050 LE: acoustic calibration
Like the NAD M10 V2 and NAD M33 hi-fi amps, as well as the NAD T778 and NAD T758 V3i AV receivers, the new NAD C3050 LE is capable of perfecting its sound reproduction thanks to the Dirac Live calibration system. For this purpose, the amplifier comes with a pre-installed NAD MDC2 BluOS-D module and an external microphone. It can therefore measure the acoustic characteristics of the listening room and the speakers in order to adjust its settings accordingly.
NAD C3050 LE: streaming
The retro design of the NAD C3050 LE amp contrasts with the most modern streaming technologies. Thanks to the BluOS ecosystem used by NAD, Roksan and Bluesound, the NAD C3050 LE is able to play music shared via DLNA at a resolution of up to 24-bit/192kHz. It can access most streaming services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz and HDTracks, as well as several Internet radio services such as TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Calm Radio and Radio Paradise. In addition, music streaming can also be done via AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth from any smartphone, tablet or computer. Support for the aptX HD codec maximizes wireless sound quality.
NAD C3050 LE: HDMI eARC input
The connectivity of the NAD C3050 LE amplifier is comprehensive, with a full digital stage. The latter includes an optical and a coaxial input, as well as an HDMI eARC port to connect a TV or a projector. The analog section consists of a line level RCA input and a phono input for connecting a turntable. Finally, a direct RCA input allows the NAD C3050 LE to be used as a power amplifier, while the RCA pre-out makes it easy to connect to an external amplifier. There is also a headphone output to listen to music discreetly. This is also possible with Bluetooth headphones or True Wireless earbuds thanks to the NAD C3050 LE’s bi-directional Bluetooth controller.
The NAD C3050 LE hi-fi amplifier is a real success that combines the retro design of the most prestigious models of the brand with modern technologies. A collector’s item available for pre-order at a price of €2,490 and that you can discover at the Paris Audio Video Show from November 5 to 6, 2022.
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Where is the RJ45 in the photo?