Canada-based hi-fi producer NAD has introduced a brand new stereo amplifier with high-res audio streaming functionality and an HDMI eARC port for hooking as much as a 4K TV. The announcement arrives prematurely of subsequent week’s Excessive Finish Munich present, an audiophile’s paradise that pulls hi-fi fanatics from all around the world.
NAD’s C 3050 is a observe as much as a restricted version model of the identical amp the corporate launched again in late 2022. Produced in a run of 1,972 numbered items to commemorate NAD’s 50-year anniversary, that mannequin appeared like a form of trial balloon to see how hi-fi followers would reply to the amp’s retro design.
The take a look at run was clearly successful, as a result of homeowners of the greatest stereo audio system rapidly purchased up the restricted version C 3050. Now, NAD’s amp is being made extensively obtainable, and is priced at a not-outrageous $1,399 (round £1,125 / AU$2,100).
The C 3050’s return is sweet information, primarily as a result of with its chunky buttons and management knobs, glowing VU meters, and wood-finish casing, it’s actually the perfect trying built-in stereo amp we all know of. In terms of hi-fi, retro design is a successful proposition, and the C 3050 hearkens again to the glory days of the ‘60s and ‘70s when manufacturers like Marantz, Yamaha, and JBL made equally cool-looking gear.
Wanting previous its retro exterior, the C 3050 is a totally loaded trendy built-in stereo amp rated to ship 100 Watts per channel into 8/4 ohms. It has each analog and coaxial and optical digital inputs, together with the aforementioned HDMI eARC port. A transferring magnet phono stage permits you to join probably the greatest turntables, and there are devoted subwoofer and headphone outputs plus a proprietary MDC2 slot to accommodate NAD’s MDC2 BluOS-D module ($599).
Whereas the MDC2 BluOS-D module is an optionally available add-on, listeners will wish to scoop that up as effectively as a way to make the most of the multiroom wi-fi high-res audio streaming functionality it brings to the C 3050. This function is managed utilizing the superb BluOS app, and the MDC2 BluOS-D additional helps Spotify Join, Tidal Join, and AirPlay 2, together with two-way aptX HD Bluetooth, which helps you to stream audio to the amp and likewise use a set of the perfect wi-fi headphones for listening.
One other function the MDC2 BluOS-D module brings to the desk is Dirac Reside. Dirac Reside processing gives each time- and frequency-based room correction, and it covers not simply bass however your audio system’ full frequency vary.