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NAD C 3050 BluOS-D Review
NAD C 3050 - Image 1

Main Features

  • 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms
  • Class D
  • Minimum impedance: 4 ohms
  • Built-in DAC (Texas Instruments TI PCM5242)
  • Wi-Fi (802.11ac)
  • Phono Input
  • USB Input
  • HDMI Input (eARC)
  • Bluetooth v5.0
  • Weight: 22.00 lbs / 10.00 kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D):5-1/16 x 17-11/16 x 14-5/16 inch
MSRP: $1,899 (list price)
Check price atAmazon›

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NAD C 3050 Review
NAD C 3050 NAD C 3050
Check price atAmazon›

The C 3050 BluOS-D is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier by NAD that delivers 100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 100 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in May 2023. Minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes the C 3050 BluOS-D compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. Thanks to its built-in Texas Instruments TI PCM5242 DAC, you can play digital sources directly without the need for an external DAC unit. NAD C 3050 lets you connect your turntable via its Phono input and start listening to your vinyl collection without a hassle. NAD C 3050 has an MSRP of 1899$ but can often be found around 1799$.

There are 10 NAD amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.

NAD Integrated Amplifier Series
Model Watts RMS (8-ohms) Minimum Impedance Built-in DAC Bluetooth
NAD C316BEE V2
Compare
40 watts4-ohmsNoNo
NAD C 389
Compare
130 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD C 399
Compare
180 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD D 3020 V2
Compare
30 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD C 388
Compare
150 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD C 368
Compare
80 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD C 328
Compare
40 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
Compare
80 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD Masters Series M10 V2
Compare
100 watts4-ohmsYesYes
NAD C 700
Compare
80 watts4-ohmsYesYes


**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Performance Specs

One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements.The NAD C 3050 is rated at 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms. NAD provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.03% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).

Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:

  • 100 watts into 8-ohms (20-20k) at 0.03%
  • 100 watts into 4-ohms
  • 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
  • 95dB Signal to Noise Ratio

How loud will 100 watts actually play in your room? →

Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →

Which speakers suit the NAD C 3050?

100 W into 8 ohms, 100 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms. We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current delivery.

We check power, impedance safety and current delivery — not just watts.

When pairing the NAD C 3050 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels. Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.


What size of room is the NAD C 3050 Amplifier good for?

An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the NAD C 3050 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:

Listening Environment Suitability
Near-fieldPoor
Small RoomPoor
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomGood
Very Large RoomAverage

Inputs and Outputs

Besides the performance specs of the NAD C 3050, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers. NAD C 3050 has total of 2 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).

NAD C 3050 Back View
NAD C 3050 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
  • Phono Input
  • 1 Optical Digital Input
  • 1 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB A
  • HDMI Input (eARC)

Outputs
  • Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
  • Pre-out/Main-in Loop
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
  • Subwoofer Output (1)

Bluetooth Connectivity

NAD C 3050 features built-in Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.

Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:

  • Rotel A14 MKII - MSRP 1600$ - Compare w/ C 3050 BluOS-D
  • LEAK Stereo 230 - MSRP 1695$ - Compare w/ C 3050 BluOS-D
  • NAD C 399 - MSRP 1999$ - Compare w/ C 3050 BluOS-D
  • JBL SA550 C - MSRP 1999$ - Compare w/ C 3050 BluOS-D
  • NAD C 368 BluOS-2i - MSRP 1749$ - Compare w/ C 3050 BluOS-D

NAD C 3050 supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:

  • aptX HD
  • AAC
  • SBC

Phono Input

NAD C 3050 features one Phono Input which is compatible with MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the Cambridge Duo or the iFi ZEN Phono.

Subwoofer Output

NAD C 3050 has a dedicated subwoofer output which can be used to connect it directly to a powered subwoofer via an LFE(Low Frequency Effects) cable.
Check our Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with NAD C 3050 amp and your speakers.

DAC and Digital Music

The NAD C 3050's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the C 3050 BluOS-D is the Texas Instruments TI PCM5242, and supports resolutions up to 24-bit, 192KHZ.

NAD C 3050 External Dimensions and Weight

NAD C 3050 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 5-1/16inch x 17-11/16inch x 14-5/16inch (129.0mm x 450.0mm x 364.0mm ). The unit weighs 10 kg (22 lbs).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of the NAD C 3050 is approximately 1638.0cm2 / 253.9inch2.

  • Width: 450.0mm (17-11/16")
  • Height: 129.0mm (5-1/16")
  • Depth: 364.0mm (14-5/16")
  • Weight: 10 kg (22 lbs)
  • Base Surface Area: ~1638.0cm2 / 253.9inch2
  • Volume: ~21.1 liter / 5.6 gallon

Available colors

NAD C 3050 is available in Black color options.

What's in the Box of NAD C 3050?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of C 3050 BluOS-D:
  • Integrated amplifier
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • Remote control (SR 10)
  • 2 -inchAA-inch batteries
  • Auto calibration microphone
  • USB microphone adapter
  • 3 Antennas
  • Quick Setup Guide
  • MDC2 BluOS-D Instructions
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Dirac Live Quickstart Guide
  • Warranty Card

Warranty

2 Years of parts warranty and 2 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the NAD C 3050 by the manufacturer.

NAD C 3050 Detailed Specifications

General
Brand NAD
Full Model Name NAD C 3050 BluOS-D
Release Date May 2023
Amplifier Type Integrated Amplifier
Amp Class Class D
Performance
Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms 100 watts
Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms N/A
Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms 100 watts
Frequency Bandwidth 20-20k
THD 0.03%
Minimum Impedance 4
Signal to Noise Ratio 95 dB
Digital Music
Built-in DAC Yes
DAC Specs Texas Instruments TI PCM5242
Bluetooth Yes
WiFi 802.11ac
Ecosystem
Apple AirPlay Yes
Apple AirPlay2 Yes
DTS Play-Fi No
Chromecast built-in No
Roon Ready
HEOS No
BluOS Yes

CONNECTIONS
Total Analog Inputs 2
Phono Input Yes
Optical Digital Inputs 1
Coaxial Digital Inputs 1
USB Input Yes
USB Type USB A
Preamp Outputs Stereo RCA
Pre-out / Main-in Loop Yes
Headphone Output 1/4
Subwoofer Output Yes
Removable Power Cord IEC 3-prong
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height 129.0mm (5-1/16")
Width 450.0mm (17-11/16")
Depth 364.0mm (14-5/16")
Weight 10 kg (22 lbs)
Available Colors Black
OTHER
Tone Controls Yes
Parts Warranty 2 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Years
NAD C 3050 BluOS-D Alternatives in Streaming Amplifiers
Model Watts RMS (8-ohms) Minimum Impedance Built-in DAC Phono Stage
LEAK Stereo 230
Compare
75 watts4-ohmsYesMM
NAD C 389
Compare
130 watts4-ohmsYesMM
NAD C 399
Compare
180 watts4-ohmsYesMM
NAD C 368
Compare
80 watts4-ohmsYesMM
Yamaha A-S801
Compare
100 watts4-ohmsYesMM
Marantz Model 40n
Compare
70 watts4-ohmsYesMM
NAD Masters Series M10 V2
Compare
100 watts4-ohmsYesNo
NAD C 388
Compare
150 watts4-ohmsYesMM
Frequently Asked Questions about NAD C 3050 BluOS-D

How much power does the NAD C 3050 have?

The NAD C 3050 delivers 100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 100 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms.

What amplifier class is the NAD C 3050?

The NAD C 3050 uses a Class D amplifier design. Class D is a modern switching design that runs cool and wastes very little energy as heat, which is how makers fit high power into a compact, light chassis.

Does the NAD C 3050 have a built-in DAC?

Yes. The NAD C 3050 has a built-in DAC (Texas Instruments TI PCM5242), so you can feed it a digital source directly without buying a separate converter.

Can I connect a turntable to the NAD C 3050?

Yes. The NAD C 3050 has a built-in phono stage for MM cartridges, so a turntable can be connected directly without a separate phono preamp. It is voiced for moving-magnet cartridges; a moving-coil cartridge would need an extra step-up stage.

Does the NAD C 3050 have Bluetooth?

Yes. The NAD C 3050 supports Bluetooth (Bluetooth 5.0 and the aptX HD,AAC,SBC codec), so you can stream straight from a phone, tablet or laptop.

Can the NAD C 3050 stream music over the network?

Yes. The NAD C 3050 is a streaming amplifier, with Wi-Fi (802.11ac). It plays from your network without a separate streamer.

Can I connect a subwoofer to the NAD C 3050?

Yes. The NAD C 3050 has a subwoofer output, so you can add a powered subwoofer to extend the low end below what your main speakers manage.

Does the NAD C 3050 have a headphone output?

Yes. The NAD C 3050 has a 1/4-inch headphone output on the front panel for private listening.

How much does the NAD C 3050 cost?

The NAD C 3050 has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $1,899.

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