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. It is a 2-channel design using a Class D output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (Texas Instruments TI PCM5242), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The NAD C 3050 has an MSRP of $1,899 but can often be found around $1,799.
There are 10 NAD amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
NAD Integrated Amplifier Series
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 Hz-20 kHz) 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.
Need more power?
NAD C 3050 is rated at 100 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 91 to 120 watts band. The next band up is 121 to 180 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the 61 to 90 watts band and better speakers.
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-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Poor |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Average |
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 (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:
- 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:
NAD C 3050 supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
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 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Class D output stage, so it runs cool and wastes little power as heat - which is how it fits in a small case.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 24-bit / 192, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 1 optical, 1 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM), so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Streams over the network without a separate streamer: AirPlay 2, Roon and BluOS.
- ✓Bluetooth (version 5.0 and aptX HD,AAC,SBC) for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓Dedicated subwoofer output (1).
- ✓A and B speaker terminals, for a second pair or for bi-wiring.
- ✓Headphone output (1/4).
- ✓Has tone controls.
- ✓Has VU meters.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- ✗Output rises only from 100 to 100 watts when the load halves to 4 ohms, so it is happier with an easy 8 ohm speaker than a demanding one.
- ✗The phono stage is moving-magnet only; a moving-coil cartridge would need a step-up or an external stage.
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.
| General |
| Brand |
NAD |
| Full Model Name |
NAD C 3050 BluOS-D |
| Release Date |
May 2023 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class D |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| 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 Hz-20 kHz |
| 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 |