Respect the Past, Look to the Future: NAD C 3050 Integrated Amplifier Features '70s Looks, Modern Connectivity, 100Wpc Output, and Clean, Detailed Performance
Travel back to audio’s nostalgic golden age while getting the modern conveniences, technology, improvements, and future-proof securities you want with the NAD C 3050 integrated amplifier. Based on the design of the company’s beloved 3030 stereophonic amplifier from the 1970s, and built with NAD’s MDC2 Modular Design Construction platform, the customizable C 3050 is a connection and power pro. Outputting a continuous 100Wpc with virtually undetectable distortion, and 135Wpc of instantaneous peak power for seamless transient reproduction, this vintage-styled 22-pound unit helps reproduce music with stellar balance, neutrality, dynamics, transparency, and tonality.
Such detail, insight, and engagement are accompanied by a full suite of digital and analog connectivity. C 3050 features a low-noise MM phonostage with an infrasonic filter; a pair of line-level inputs with buffer amplifiers; an optical input; a coaxial input; an IR in and out; A and B speaker outputs; a subwoofer output; pre-out output for a potential external amplifier; and 12V trigger out. An audiophile-grade headphone amplifier and MDC2 port for future expandability — including the option to immediately factory-install the BluOS-D module for BluOS multi-room streaming, Dirac Live room correction, and support for most major streaming services as well as AirPlay 2 (just select that option above) — add to the appeal.
Wrapped in a walnut-grain-themed vinyl cabinet and distinguished with a pair of timeless VU meters, push-button controls, and gray front panel with the old-school script NAD logo, C 3050 is fueled by a HybridDigital UcD amplifier and 32-bit/384kHz Texas Instruments PCM5242 differential DAC. Bluetooth aptX HD 5.0 and the presence of an HDMI eARC for hooking up to your TV further the value of this 5 x 17.625 x 13.1875-inch (HWD) looker.
Want to know more about C 3050? Simply call a Music Direct audio consultant and we’ll gladly answer any questions you might have and cover the bases on system compatibility.
“From the outside, the C 3050 pays homage to NAD’s earliest designs with its faithfully executed vintage styling, but in all other respects this is a thoroughly modern integrated amp with a do-it-all ethos.”
—2023-24 EISA Award, Best Integrated Amplifier
"[It] is an excellent example of a modern, full-featured, solid-state integrated amplifier. But it is its integration with Dirac low-frequency room equalization that enables it to offer pretty much everything audiophiles and music lovers need to enjoy their music at a competitive price."
—John Atkinson, Stereophile, Class B Recommended Component
“It delivers on the most crucial characteristic — great sound. If you seek a turnkey integrated amplifier system, the NAD C 3050 is an excellent choice for price-performance playback."
—Rob Johnson, TONEAudio
MDC2 BluOS-D Module: Streaming, Multi-Room Audio, Voice Control, and More
Connecting to your home network via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet, the MDC2 BluOS-D module that can be installed at any time in C 3050 gives you access to nearly all the music ever recorded through the BluOS multi-room music management system. Using the intuitive BluOS app, you can cue up music from more than 20 popular streaming services, including Amazon Music Ultra HD, Deezer, Qobuz, and TIDAL. Like all BluOS-enabled products, the C 3050 supports up to 24-bit/192kHz and features MQA decoding and rendering capability. The MDC2 BluOS-D also supports Apple AirPlay2, so you can stream audio to C 3050 from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can even control playback by voice using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri (via AirPlay 2). With the MDC2 BluOS-D installed, C 3050 can be part of a whole-home music system with as many as 64 zones, all with independent source and volume control. You can have different music playing in different zones, or group zones together and play the same music simultaneously. MDC2’s bidirectional architecture enables the BluOS-D to stream music from any source connected to the C 3050 to BluOS-enabled components in other rooms.
LINE INPUT, PRE-OUT (ANALOG BYPASS ON) >100 dB (1 kHz), >90 dB (10 kHz):
THD+N (20 Hz – 20 kHz): <0.005 % at 2V out
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95 dB (IHF; A-weighted, ref. 500 mV out, unity gain)
Channel separation: >86W(at 1KHz 0.1% THD 8Rx2CH) >102W(at 1KHz 0.1% THD)
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 (ANALOG BYPASS ON):
THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz): <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 (ANALOG BYPASS ON):
THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz): <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: 2.2 ohms
Bluetooth quality: aptX HD 5.0
Bluetooth connectivity: One-Way
Supported operating systems: Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8 to current Windows Operating Systems and macOS versions
Mobile Application Free BluOS Controller App available for download from the respective App stores of Apple iOS devices (iPad, iPhone and iPod), Android devices, Kindle Fire and Windows or macOS desktops
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 (20 Hz – 20 kHz): <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: 250 W
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 (1 kHz)
>70dB (10 kHz)
Input sensitivity: (for 100 W in 8 ohms) 540 mV
Digital: -6dBFS
Power consumption at Auto Standby ON: 0.5 W*
Dimensions (WHD): 17 5/8" x 5" x 13 3/16"
Weight: 22 lbs.
