NAD Electronics C 3050 BluOS Stereophonic Amplifier Review
Read Time: Approx. 25 min.
Vintage-Inspired Amplifier with Modern Tech & Premium Hi-Fi Sound
Retro charm meets modern innovation with NAD Electronics C 3050 BluOS Stereophonic Amplifier, delivering class-leading amplification to audiophiles and music lovers alike. As audiophiles we're always chasing the next best thing–be it a DAP, IEM, amplifier, or headphone. We buy new, sell secondhand, and continue the cycle. But this never-ending demand has manufacturers pulling hat tricks just to stay relevant in the industry. One thing that never changes though is our love for vintage. Vintage records. Vintage tube amplifiers–you name it. Now more than ever we're seeing hi-fi manufacturers leaning into that vintage appeal, drawing inspiration from previous successes and blending that with innovative technologies for a fresh look.
The NAD C 3050 is the perfect example of a vintage-inspired piece of audio gear. You get a highly-capable integrated amp equipped with all the bells and whistles but wrapped up in a look straight out of the 1970s. The C 3050 is available in two variants–one with a pre-installed MDC2 BluOS operating system and Dirac Live room correction–and one with a MDC2 expansion slot for adding BluOS capabilities and Dirac Live room correction. At Moon Audio we carry the preinstalled version, which to us makes the most sense because you get all the features and functionality right out of the gate, and if you already use BluOS products it's a no brainer.
Audiophiles who love reto, vintage gear but don't compromise on performance will be delighted with the C 3050. You get the ease of a high-resolution multi-room streaming component and class-leading amplification for your loudspeakers. With 100-watts per channel and Texas Instruments high-resolution differential DAC, the C 3050 delivers a sound quality that's dynamic, detailed, and perfect for today's discerning listeners.
PROS
- Retro, Vintage Aesthetic
- Simple design with knobs, buttons & VU Meters
- Dynamic, Accurate Sound
CONS
- VU Meters small, hard to see from across the room
Design
The NAD C 3050 is about as retro-looking as you can get with a modern-day component. It hones in on a very specific time period in history–the 1970s. When I think of the 1970s a few things come to mind: Bell-bottom jeans, vietnam, conversation pits, and a whole lot of disco. Being born in the 1990s I have no personal connection to the 1970s but I love the mid-century modern aesthetic and to me, the C 3050 fits right in. I mean what screams mid-century modern more than wood paneling and MDF? But the walnut-finished vinyl-clad cabinet isn't the only thing that gives the C 3050 its vintage appeal. NAD Electronics has ditched the digital display screens we're so accustomed to and swapped it for beloved dual VU meters, push buttons, and knobs. And if that's not vintage enough for you, NAD Electronics included its 1970s cursive typeface across the dark grey front panel.
At roughly 22 lbs and approx. 17" W x 4" H x 14" D the C 3050 is a nice-sized unit for a stereo setup. It's by no means small but it's also not extremely large and cumbersome either. A pretty neat feature (and something we've seen from NAD products before) is the perforated portion on the top panel. A finely woven mesh grate (not sure of the exact material) offers a sneak peek of the component's internal technology. Given how small the little holes are on there I don't imagine dust and dirt being much of a problem. Included with the C 3050 is a remote control affording you the luxury of controlling the component without leaving the couch. Listeners can connect the C 3050 via built-in Wi-Fi or Gigabit Ethernet.
I/O
On the front panel you'll find all your basic functionality: Dual VU meters, 1/4" stereo jack, power button, tone controls, 5 source input selectors (phono, line, optical, coax, HDMI), speaker knob, balance control knob, volume control knob, and various light indicators. The volume control knob adjusts the overall loudness of the signal sent to speakers and headphones. NOTE: To listen to headphones only, rotate the Speakers Knob to the OFF position.
On the back panel you'll find many inputs and outputs: HDMI eARC, Digital audio IN (optical/coaxial), Phono input, ground terminal, Line input, Main In, Pre Out, SubW, two sets of speaker terminals (A,B), AC mains input, fuse holder, bluetooth antenna terminal, service port, IR In, +12V Trigger Out, VU meter, and power.
VU Power Meters: Monitor the input signal or speaker output levels. Both meters are calibrated in watts and dB that correspond to an 8-ohm load
Tone Controls: Two controls–one for bass and one for treble–adjust the tonal balance of the system. The 12 o'clock position is "flat" wish no boost or cut, clockwise increases the bass or treble, and counter clockwise decreases the levels.
Speakers Knob (A, B, A+B, OFF): A selects speakers A as the active speaker and disables speakers B. B selects speakers B as the active speaker and disables speakers A. A+B selects both speakers as the active speakers. OFF disables both speakers
Balance Control Knob: Adjusts the relative levels of the left and right speakers. The 12 o'clock position provides equal level to each channel. Rotate the knob clockwise to move balance to the right. Rotate the knob counter clockwise to balance to the left.
HDMI eARC: Connection to a TV that supports HDMI Control (CEC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). CEC Power allows the C 3050 to be powered up or down by an external TV connected via the port.
VU Meter: Directs the VU meter in the front panel to monitor input signal or speaker output
Bluetooth Antenna Terminal: Connect the Bluetooth antenna to use Bluetooth as a source
With its full suite of digital and analog inputs, the C 3050 can accommodate all your source components with ease. Vinyl lovers will appreciate the ultra-low noise MM phono stage for connecting a turntable and HDMI eARC is great for family movie nights. When connected to a compatible TV, the C 3050 acts as the hub of a high-performance two or 2.1 channel home theater setup. NAD Electronics makes it easy to connect two pairs of speakers with Speaker A/B switching as well as a subwoofer. So if you're somebody with multiple speakers, you no longer have to fiddle with connecting and disconnecting each speakers' cables. Bluetooth aptX HD connectivity lets you stream audio to the C 3050 from a smart device and stream audio from the unit to a pair of wireless headphones. Not to mention the dedicated headphone amplifier for headphone listeners! The C 3050 also has pre out/main-in jacks that let you connect a more powerful amplifier and use the C 3050 as a preamp only.
Sound
Setting up and using the NAD C 3050 was a breeze. Once turned on, you simply head over to the BluOS Controller App and configure the component. After that's complete you're ready to start listening, but if you have Roon you can head there next to set that up too. I positioned the C 3050 at my desk and did the majority of my listening sessions with the Dan Clark Audio Noire X Closed-Back Headphones and Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable. I mentioned this earlier, but if you listen to the C 3050 with headphones you must turn OFF the Speakers Knob.
NAD Electronics characterizes the PCM5242 differential DAC as being dynamic, musical, and full of clarity. I have to say I agree with those statements. Starting out with some EDM I immediately noticed a snappy, accurate sound with a well-controlled bass response. To give you a little bit of insight into my setup, the Noire X Headphones are well-balanced, dynamic, and neutral-slightly organic sounding. The C 3050's built-in headphone amplifier did a sufficient job driving the Noire X, which as a Planar Magnetic Headphone deserves two thumbs up. Even while using headphones I was able to enjoy the illuminated VU meters moving ever so slightly. If you plan to buy the C 3050 with the intention of using it in your stereo setup, you'll be pleased with the added bonus of headphone listening.
The C 3050 did a great job of accurately reproducing all of the songs I listened to. I jumped from genre to genre, checking out Pop, Alternative, EDM, Hip-Hop, and some melodic melodies. Billie Eilish, known for her indie/alternative meets electronic beats has soft, wispy, and breathy vocals. She's no stranger to throwing falsettos into just about every song, and while great, with the wrong pieces of gear falsettos can quickly go from airy and silky to screetchy and scratchy. Off her most recent album Hit Me Hard and Soft, her song "The Greatest" is the perfect representation of her vocal ability–and the C 3050 did her justice. The sound stayed musical, clear, and very accurate. It wasn't pitchy or harsh on the ears in the upper midrange and while musical it wasn't warm or muddy by any means. I can confidently say that the NAD C 3050 will deliver you sonic accuracy, reproducing the music without any unwanted coloration.
For a stereo component, I feel this is an important attribute. You want your stereo amplifier to do the heavy lifting, but you don't want it to change the sound quality of your loudspeakers. I think vinyl lovers will especially appreciate the sound quality of the C 3050. Vinyls are in a sonic league of their own and the sound characteristics of analog audio is quite different from digital. With that being said, you don't want a component that's going to take away from that sound quality. The C 3050's integrated MM phono stage does a good job of delivering a smooth sound that's detailed and leaves enough room for your vinyls to show off.
As for bass response, I'd say that's dependent on your headphones, loudspeakers, and whether or not you have a subwoofer connected. The Noire X Headphones have a punchy, tight bass response, and in my opinion there wasn't a noticeable difference from when I've listened to them with other gear.
The Greatest
By Billie Eilish
(Hit Me Hard and Soft)
Daylight
By Harry Styles
(Harry's House)
Skyfall
By Travis Scott
(Days Before Rodeo)
Lost You
By Zeds Dead Feat. Twin Shadow & D'Angelo Lacy
(Lost You)
Features
- Retro design elements include front-panel VU meters, push-button input controls, 1970s cursive branding, walnut-finished vinyl-clad cabinet, and dark grey front panel
- HybridDigital UcD Amplifier
- Full Disclosure Power: 100 watts continuous per channel into 8/4 ohms
- Instantaneous Power: 135 watts per channel
- Vanishingly low harmonic and intermodulation distortion
- Pre-installed MDC2 BluOS-D module adds BluOS high-resolution multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live room correction
- High-performance 32-bit/384kHz TI PCM5242 differential DAC
- Ultra-low-noise MM phono stage with infrasonic filtering circuitry
- One optical, one coaxial digital input
- HDMI-eARC input
- One set of line-level analogue inputs with low-noise buffer amplifiers
- Speaker A/Speaker B outputs
- Subwoofer output
- Dedicated headphone amplifier
- Bidirectional Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth
- IR remote control
- CI-Friendly – 12V Trigger out, IR in
- *500Hz limited version of Dirac Live included. Full bandwidth license can be purchased from Dirac.com
INTERNAL CIRCUITRY
Equipped in the C 3050 is Texas Instruments PCM5242 High-Resolution Differential DAC, known for its excellent dynamic performance and immunity to clock jitter. This enables the C 3050 to deliver amazing musicality, stunning clarity, and pinpoint soundstaging from all your digital sources. The HybridDigital UcD Amplifier Technology delivers 100 watts per channel of continuous power and 135Wc of instantaneous peak power to the C 3050. With this technology implemented, noise and distortion are virtually unmeasurable through the entire audioband, resulting in a neutral, inviting sound through any loudspeaker load–even at high listening levels.
The MDC2 Advantage
The C 3050 BluOS version comes with NAD Electronics Modular Design Construction (MDC) future-proofing technology already installed. This technology enhances the functionality of the C 3050, allowing for BluOS high-resolution music streaming and Dirac Live room correction. The MDC2 BluOS-D connects you to almost all the music ever recorded through BluOS, be it your own personal music library or one of the 20+ available music streaming services. The MDC2 BluOS-D supports Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, as well as Apple AirPlay 2 so you can stream audio from any app on an iPhone, iPad, or Macintosh computer.
Music Streaming with BluOS
To set up, configure, and use the C 3050, you must download and install the BluOS Controller App. Initial setup will take a few minutes.
Featuring dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet, the C 3050's BluOS platform brings integrated support for more than 20 popular streaming services including several capable of lossless and high-resolution audio. BluOS is Bluesound's exclusive music streaming platform that enables devices under its umbrella to connect to each other and stream wirelessly across multiple rooms with as many as 64 zones available. The BluOS app is one of the most intuitive and well-thought-out companion control devices for any streaming device out there. Available on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer, the BluOS platform is the "brain" of your C 3050, allowing you to manage all of your music and stream it easily. BluOS supports high-resolution audio to 24-bit/192kHz and has MQA decoding.
Through the BluOS Controller App, you'll be able to access your entire music library, listen to hundreds of internet radio stations and dozens of music streaming services. Access TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, SoundMachine, and many more streaming services (subscriptions purchased separately). Additionally, BluOS has Roon intergration that supports files stored on internal and external hard drives and NAS. You can also connect and share your music collection from a computer or network-attached storage drive to the BluOS app.
BluOS Features
Voice control via Amazon Alexa
Full support for hi-res audio: WAV, FLAC, ALAC
3rd party integrations such as Control4, Crestron, Lutron, ELAN, RTI, and more
Wi-Fi chipset technology
Bluetooth aptX HD
Dolby Atmos 3D experience & Dolby Digital Support
MQA (End-to-end studio-speaker technology)
BluOS has voice control with Amazon Alexa and Apple's Siri so you can play a track, or skip a song, and even say what room you want to listen to music in. Through the app you control the volume in any room, read detailed artist information, and even check what quality you are streaming. No more rummaging through the couch cracks for the missing remote!
Check out the images below for a sneak peek at BluOS on desktop. Through the BluOS app you'll be able to adjust settings on the C 3050 such as replay gain, DSD playback, crossover, and more.
BluOS desktop application
DIRAC Live Room Correction
Picture this: You and I both buy the same amplifier for our stereo systems. It arrives at our doorsteps and I go to set it up in my rec room and you place it in your dedicated listening room. We follow the instructions, configure the unit, connect our subwoofers, and when we both hit play we hear two completely different sounds. Who got the dud? No one. Your room is just much more conductive to good audio sound than mine.
Room acoustics can make or break a listening experience. But who has the time and money to configure the perfect space? Some do, but not everyone.
NAD Electronics know that and thanks to Dirac Live Room Correction, you don't have to choose between a high-performance component and room acoustic accessories. The C 3050 BluOS model is equipped with Dirac Live software, allowing you to calibrate and generate correction filters that compensate for acoustic problems like standing waves and unwanted reflections. Using a series of test tones played out to the speakers, Diarc's powerful software analyses the results and creates correction filters to counteract those acoustic problems.
Configuring the perfect listening setup isn't always a possibility. Whether you're just why of the perfect sound or don't have the ideal listening space, Dirac Live polishes the edges, improving timing and phase while correcting any unavoidable acoustic deficiencies.
Dragon Cables
[Blue Dragon Power Cable, Black Dragon Interconnect Cable, and Cardas Crosslink Custom Speaker Cable]
To get the most out of the NAD C 3050 BluOS Stereophonic Amplifier you'll need a few cables. We recommend pairing the C 3050 with our Blue Dragon Power Cable, Black Dragon Interconnect Cable, and Cardas Crosslink Custom Speaker Cable. The Blue Dragon Power Cable is the ultimate power cable designed to be dead quiet and reject all EMI and RFI interference. 3x12AWG Stranded high purity slow drawn Copper conductors are used per cable in a star Quad configuration. The cable has a single 100% coverage shield but can be doubled up for noisy environments plus it is relatively flexible.
Choose our Black Dragon Interconnect Cable with RCA connectors to integrate the C 3050 with other audio devices in your setup. Sold in pairs, the Black Dragon Interconnect Cable is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. The braided geometry itself acts as a noise rejection and the shield aso adds more durability to the cable for runs on a studio floor. Lastly, the Cardas Crosslink Custom Speaker Cable will provide you with the missing link to connect your favorite loudspeakers. As Cardas' entry level speaker cable, it has a low inductance and resistance and even high damping. The cable is very flexible, lightweight, and perfect for your home theater setups.
Verdict
Retro-styling but modern in just about every way, the NAD Electronics C 3050 BluOS Stereophonic Amplifier is an affordable highly-rewarding integrated amplifier. At $2,074 you get many functions in one component: Stereo amplifier, phono stage, built-in headphone amp, streamer, DAC. You don't have to spend $5,000+ to get a great-sounding, high-performing component for your audio system. The NAD C 3050 excels at delivering beyond sufficient amplification to your bookshelf speakers, loudspeakers, headphones, turntables, and so on.
Arguably the biggest value added to the NAD C 3050 BluOS model is the pre-installed MDC2 module. While the lower price tag of the version with MDC2 slots may seem enticing, you've got to source the module from a dealer (Spoiler: NAD Electronics doesn't sell it directly), wait for it to arrive, and pray installation is easy with no hiccups. All of that fuss for what? To save a couple dollars. With the MDC2 module pre-installed, the moment you pull the C 3050 out of the box you can connect your speakers, use the Dirac Live room correction technology to configure your space and start streaming through Roon, Qobuz, TIDAL, and whatever else you use. You really can't put a price tag on convenience, and it's an added bonus for anyone already using Bluesound products.
The NAD C 3050 BluOS Stereophonic Amplifier is the perfect all-in-one high-end component for the listener who wants to save on space, enjoy the easy of music streaming, and enhance the performance of their speakers. Use our Black Dragon Interconnect Cable to connect your existing gear, power it all with a Blue Dragon Power Cable, and settle into your listening chair with a cold drink in one hand and the included remote control in the other. Vintage lovers, the NAD C 3050 is calling your name–will you answer the call?
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What's in the Box
- NAD Electronics C 3050 BluOS Stereophonic Amplifier
- Two detachable mains power cord
- SR 10 Remote Control with 2 AA batteries
- Bluetooth Antenna
- Quick Setup Guide
Specifications
BLUOS SECTION (MDC2 BLUOS D INSTALLED)
AUDIO:
Supported Audio File Format: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, ALAC, OPUS
Supported High-Resolution Audio File Format: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF
Sampling Rate: Up to 192kHz
Bit Depths: 16-24
SUPPORTED SERVICES:
Streaming Cloud Services: Amazon Music, Bugs, CustomChannels, Deezer, IDAGIO, KKBOX, Napster, Neil Young Archives, nugs.net, Qobuz, Qsic, Spotify, SOUNDMACHINE, TIDAL, Tunify
Internet Radio: CALM Radio, iHeartRadio, LiveXLive, RADIO.COM, Radio Paradise, SiriusXM, TuneIn
Integration Partners: Control4, Crestron, ELAN, Lutron, Push, Roon, RTI, URC
Voice Control Integration: Skills and support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri with corresponding enabled devices and App
CONNECTIVITY:
Network Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet RJ45; Wi-Fi 5
Supported Network File Share Protocol: Server Message Block (SMB)
USB: 1 x Type-A port for connection to USB memory stick (FAT32 or NTFS formatted) and supported peripherals
Bluetooth Quality: aptX HD 5.0
Bluetooth Connectivity: Two-Way (Receive and Transmit/ Headphone)
USER INTERFACE:
Supported Operating System: Music playback from network shares on the following desktop 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
PREAMPLIFIER SECTION
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 (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)
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
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: 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 (1 kHz) | >70dB (10 kHz)
Input sensitivity (for 100 W in 8 ohms): 540 mV | Digital: -6dBFS
Power consumption, standby mode*: 0.5W
Bluetooth (no installed MDC2 BluOS D)
Bluetooth quality: aptX HD 5.0
Bluetooth connectivity: One-Way (Receive)
DIMENSION AND WEIGHT
Gross Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 x 110 x 355mm | 17 1/4 x 4 3/8 x 14 inches
Net Weight: 10 kg (22 lbs)
Shipping Weight: 12.6 kg (27.8 lbs)
