NAD C 3050 (with MDC2 BluOS-D module)

Retro charm combined with a forward-looking nature

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NAD's C 3050 is more than it initially seems.

On the surface, it's yet another hi-fi product that has boarded the retro-design train. But, look closer and you will find real engineering substance behind those admittedly rather appealing mechanical power meters.

The headline feature, and the main differentiator between the C 3050 and excellent stereo amplifier rivals such as the Arcam A15 or the Rega Elex Mk4, is the option to add a streaming module. Called, rather catchily, the MDC2 BluOS-D, the module is based on a platform developed by NAD's sister company, Bluesound. Ticking this box may raise the price from the standard amplifier's £1349, but it turns the C 3050 into an extremely neat and characterful just-add-speakers streaming system.

A well-equipped unit

The NAD brand is built on good-value electronics, and even in base form, the C 3050 amplifier still has a lot going for it. It is well equipped with a moving-magnet phono stage, two-way Bluetooth (of the aptX HD variety), coaxial and optical digital inputs and a healthy power output of 100 watts per channel. There is also a front panel-mounted 6.3mm headphone output and, rather usefully, an HDMI eARC input to help the NAD integrate into an AV setup.

Add the optional streaming module, and the product's functionality increases massively. A fully loaded C 3050 can stream music files from your home network, play internet radio or access any of the usual streaming services through wired or wireless means.

The MDC2 BluOS-D module's range of abilities should be extensive enough for most users, but we note that there are some obvious gaps in its specifications. It doesn't play DSD files and the PCM files it does play are limited to a maximum of 24-bit/192kHz. While we suspect neither of these will be an issue for the vast majority of users, those with more ambitious tastes in file formats may feel shortchanged here.