NAD’s anniversary amplifier, the C 3050LE, will greater than meet the expectations of the model’s supporters.
It was determined to have a good time the fiftieth anniversary of the institution of the New Acoustic Dimension model (established in 1972) with the C 3050LE stereo amplifier, paying homage to the enduring mannequin from the Nineteen Seventies – NAD 3030. For this objective, precisely 1,972 copies of the built-in had been ready, which appears just like its well-known predecessor, however can be – as befits a tool from the start of the third decade of the twenty first century – filled with fashionable applied sciences.
Development and performance
The retro look is on level – this model features a walnut chassis, VU meters, acquire LEDs, management buttons and the unique italic New Acoustic Dimension emblem. On the identical time, identical to in trend, retro is a mixture of basic and up to date. When it comes to new applied sciences, the C 3050LE has loads to supply: a HybridDigital UcD amplifier with an influence of 100W per channel, a high-class Texas Devices PCM5242 D/A converter and the flexibility to stream music in excessive decision because of the pre-installed MDC2 BluOS-D module, which provides fashionable functionalities to the machine : BluOS streaming platform with two-way Bluetooth aptX HD 5.0 and Dirac Reside room acoustic correction system.
The difference of the machine to assist streaming is mirrored in two contact sensors positioned on the entrance (within the decrease proper nook): BluOS/MDC and Bluetooth (the latter is to be activated with the arrival of a software program replace; through the check, Bluetooth might solely be activated by way of the BluOS utility ). The checklist of recent functionalities is complemented by cooperation with voice assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.
The consumer of the C 3050LE can even rely on a wealth of connections. On the again panel there are coaxial and optical digital inputs, an HDMI connector (eARC), an enter for a turntable with an MM cartridge, a line enter, an influence amplifier enter and a preamplifier output related with jumpers, a subwoofer output, a USB-A service port, and an antenna socket. BT, enter for elective IR receiver, 12V set off output, change for VU meters (Enter Sign/Speaker Output), energy socket and primary change. The outline should, after all, embrace the connectors of the MDC2 BluOS-D module: BT and Wi-Fi antenna sockets, a LAN port, USB-A for transportable reminiscence (chosen as a supply by way of the appliance), one other service port, this time within the micro-standard USB, and the Reset and Service buttons. The entire is topped with a lovely steel plate with the serial variety of the merchandise, the inscription Restricted Version and the NAD fiftieth anniversary emblem.
The output stage within the C 3050LE relies on a barely modified UcD102 V1 stereo module from the Dutch Hypex (differential enter, fixed part detection system, deep adaptive unfavorable suggestions loop). This miniature circuit can be characterised by excessive effectivity and low energy consumption at idle, so NAD makes use of it efficiently in different amplifiers (e.g. C338). On this case, the designers managed to squeeze 100W of energy per channel. The facility provide, which takes up roughly 1/5 of the inside, is of the switching sort – it’s separated from the opposite programs by a steel display screen. The digital part within the kind of a giant board accommodates many specialised circuits, together with: PCM1863 A/D converter and PCM1863 and PCM5242 DACs. Nonetheless, the appreciable prospects of the latter (32-bit/384kHz) are restricted by the BluOS platform (24-bit/192kHz). It’s also value noting that the MQA format is proscribed to 24/96. The New Japan Radio NJW 1194 system is chargeable for digital quantity management.
The final subject considerations the pilot (SR 10). It’s each ugly and impractical – above all, too massive (with a number of pointless buttons) and too… plastic. I perceive that most individuals will use the appliance anyway, however on the event of the corporate’s fiftieth anniversary, could not it actually be doable to arrange a driver that may match the looks of the machine?
Sound high quality
Earlier than I began the listening periods, I carried out calibration utilizing the microphone included with the amplifier and the Dirac Reside program. The results of this motion was no shock to me – identical to earlier than (e.g. through the C658 check), Dirac lowered the resonant character of low tones in my listening room, particularly the “hill” round 70Hz. Because of this, the low tones had been reproduced noticeably extra evenly, i.e. extra linearly, whereas providing fairly a powerful assault and kick.
This doesn’t imply, nevertheless, that the C 3050LE bass with out calibration is ineffective: it has a softer, barely warmed character, and its power is expressed extra in its measurement and scope than within the velocity of rising/fading out of particular person sounds. General, the NAD’s bass has good energy and extension; after calibration, it’s sufficiently exhausting and disciplined, and on the identical time capable of convey the attribute heat of bass devices. A comparability with the roughly twice as costly Mannequin 404 Reference by Moonriver Audio confirmed that the C 3050LE doesn’t have as a lot potential within the discipline of management, richness and bass dynamics, however the sense of realism of low tones in addition to the flexibility to breed dynamic contrasts of the NAD must be rated extremely .
The characters of the person ranges of the 3050’s band match one another completely, because of which the sound of this amplifier as a complete is free from harshness and insistence. The midrange is filled with power and directness, nice shade realism and expressiveness, vigor and naturalness. The perfect check for midrange is, after all, the piano – NAD permits you to pay attention with nice pleasure to, amongst others, jazz recordings, reminiscent of “Dick Hyman Performs Duke Ellington” by Dick Hyman (FLAC 16/44.1). The sound of the piano on this album captivates with each its charming, genuine timbre and the archaic nature of the efficiency, though each the instrument (Bösendorfer 275SE) and the recording are up to date (early Nineties). NAD was capable of present all this, guaranteeing a excessive degree of authenticity, precision, shade saturation and offering a free, limitless sound.
I saved one of the best within the sound of the C 3050LE for final: clear, expressive, differentiated excessive tones present a considerable amount of air surrounding the devices and performers, guaranteeing glorious element (which in flip ensures the genuine timbre of the devices) with an entire lack of aggression, and an impeccable readability of sounds. Good illumination of the highest vary mixed with a energetic and tangible midrange signifies that the NAD conveys a number of info recorded on discs.
The spatial phenomena of the 3050 (after calibration) are expressed primarily within the impeccable focusing of sound sources and good gradation of planes, which is of course mixed with correctly constructed stereophony. Nonetheless, the C 3050LE is unlikely to fulfill lovers of a really extensive panorama, indifferent from the audio system – on this respect, for instance, the Moon 250i v2 I just lately described appears a lot better.
Abstract
Instances are altering and with them their indicators. NAD summed up the primary half-century of its exercise in the absolute best means – by presenting a tool that appeared to mix two worlds, providing one of the best of every of them, i.e. the previous and the current. The impact is extraordinary, each visually, functionally and sonically. On this state of affairs, a suggestion is a pure formality (and a pleasure!).
