System of the month

Enjoy your vinyl collection alongside digital streams with this retro-looking yet totally modern combo

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You would be forgiven for thinking, looking at the products on this page, that we have taken one of our occasional nostalgic steps back in time. There is a very definite old-school look to this terrific streaming and vinyl system.

But the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" was really never more apt. Magnificently 1970s it may look, but the combination of products you see here is as excellent and up-to-date an offering as you will find at the beginning of the second quarter of the 21st century.

The NAD C 3050 is far more than just a nod to vintage hi-fi. While its power meters and walnut vinyl-covered casework evoke a bygone era, beneath the surface lies sophisticated engineering. The real game-changer for our purposes, though, is the optional MDC2 BluOS-D streaming module. This clever piece of tech transforms the C 3050 into a versatile, just-add-speakers streaming system.

The C 3050 is a well-equipped amplifier, boasting a moving-magnet phono stage, two-way Bluetooth (aptX HD), coaxial and optical digital inputs, and a robust 100W per channel output into both 4-ohm and 8-ohm speaker loads. An HDMI eARC input further enhances its integration into modern AV setups.

That's all satisfying enough on its own. Adding the MDC2 BluOS-D module, though, significantly expands its options. This module, built on Bluesound's platform, allows the C 3050 to stream music files from a home network, access internet radio, and connect to popular streaming services.