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  1. Home
  2. Amplifiers
  3. NAD C 368 BluOS-2i vs NAD C 3050
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i vs NAD C 3050 BluOS-D
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Amp to replace
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NAD C 368 BluOS-2i

Integrated Amplifier | 80 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
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NAD C 3050

Integrated Amplifier | 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C 3050 BluOS-D
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NAD C 368 BluOS-2i NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
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NAD C 3050 NAD C 3050
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NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
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NAD C 3050
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NAD C 368 BluOS-2i vs NAD C 3050 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing C 368 BluOS-2i and C 3050 BluOS-D, two Integrated Amplifiers by NAD. Let's have a brief look at the main features of NAD C 368 BluOS-2i and NAD C 3050 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsNAD C 368 BluOS-2iNAD C 3050
BrandNAD
Canada · founded 1972
NAD
Canada · founded 1972
Power80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 100 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier classClass DClass D
Built-in DACYesYes
Phono inputYesYes
Headphone output1/41/4
BluetoothYesYes
Weight7.80kg / 17.2lbs10.00kg / 22lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)4" x 17-1/8" x 16-5/8"
102.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm
5-1/16" x 17-11/16" x 14-5/16"
129.0mm x 450.0mm x 364.0mm

What size room are the NAD C 368 BluOS-2i and NAD C 3050 Amplifiers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these amplifiers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their max power parameters:

Listening Environment NAD C 368 BluOS-2i NAD C 3050
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Average Poor
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Average Good
Very Large Room Poor Average

C 368 BluOS-2i and C 3050 BluOS-D are members of NAD's Classic series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

NAD Classic Series History
Model Watts RMS (8-ohms) Minimum Impedance Built-in DAC
NAD C316BEE V2
  
40 watts4-ohmsNo
NAD C 389
  
130 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 399
  
180 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 388
  
150 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 368
  
80 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 328
  
40 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
80 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 700
  
80 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 338
  
50 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 3050
100 watts4-ohmsYes

The rest of this page covers where each one wins, how they compare in size, their inputs and outputs, the full specifications and a verdict.


Reasons to choose NAD C 368 BluOS-2i over NAD C 3050 BluOS-D
MSRP Price(*) 1,749USD vs 1,899USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Signal to Noise Ratio 98 dB vs 95 dB Higher ratings results in cleaner sound
Optical Digital Inputs 2 vs 1 More options for connecting Digital sources
Coaxial Digital Inputs 2 vs 1 More options for connecting Digital sources
Height 102mm vs 129mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose NAD C 3050 BluOS-D over NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
Watts into 8-ohms 100 watts vs 80 watts Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Watts into 4-ohms 100 watts vs 80 watts Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
Bluetooth Version v5.0 vs v4.0 Higher transfer rate and range
Base Surface Area 1638.0cm2/ 253.9inch2 vs 1840.1cm2/ 285.2inch2 takes less space in your room

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTNAD C 368 BluOS-2i front: 435 x 102 mm (17.1 x 4 in)NAD C 3050 front: 450 x 129 mm (17.7 x 5.1 in)NAD C 368 BluOS-2i435 × 102 mmNAD C 3050450 × 129 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTNAD C 368 BluOS-2i footprint: 435 x 423 mm (17.1 x 16.7 in)NAD C 3050 footprint: 450 x 364 mm (17.7 x 14.3 in)NAD C 368 BluOS-2i435 × 423 mmNAD C 3050450 × 364 mm
Both amplifiers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, aligned at the back panels the way they would sit against a wall, so the deeper one visibly stands further out.

NAD C 368 BluOS-2i needs about 12% more shelf area. NAD C 368 BluOS-2i is 59mm deeper - the measurement that decides whether a rack door closes. NAD C 3050 is 27mm taller.

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the NAD C 368 BluOS-2i and NAD C 3050 differs from each other.

NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
  • Phono Input
  • 2 Optical Digital Input
  • 2 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB-A(Thumbdrive/External HD)
  • Ethernet Port
NAD C 3050 Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
  • Phono Input
  • 1 Optical Digital Input
  • 1 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB A
  • HDMI eARC
  • Ethernet Port
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Back View
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Outputs
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
Outputs
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
  • Pre-out/Main-in Loop
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
  • Subwoofer Output
NAD C 3050 Back View
NAD C 3050 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C 368 BluOS-2i?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of C 368 BluOS-2i:
  • Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • MDC BluOS 2i module (pre-installed)
  • 2 Antennas
  • Remote control (SR 9)
  • 2 AA batteries
  • USB/WiFi dongle
  • Antenna
  • 41-inch USB extension cable
  • Quick Setup Guide
  • Mounting Instructions
  • Warranty Information

What's in the Box of NAD C 3050?

Here are the items that come with the 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

NAD C 368 BluOS-2i vs NAD C 3050 full specifications

Every spec we hold for both, side by side
SpecificationNAD C 368 BluOS-2iNAD C 3050
Overview
BrandNADNAD
TypeStreaming Integrated AmplifierStreaming Integrated Amplifier
CategoryStreaming AmplifierStreaming Amplifier
Channels22
Amplifier classClass DClass D
Output devicesSolid StateSolid State
Released2019May 2023
List price$1,749$1,899
SeriesClassicClassic
Power and performance
Power into 8 ohms80 W RMS100 W RMS
Power into 4 ohms80 W RMS100 W RMS
Power, as rated80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 100 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Minimum impedance4 ohms4 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio98 dB95 dB
THD0.03%0.03%
Frequency bandwidth20 Hz-20 kHz20 Hz-20 kHz
Bridge mode300 watts x 1-channel (@ 20-20kHz, into 8Ω, at 0.03% THD)–
Digital and DAC
Built-in DACYesYes
DAC chip–Texas Instruments TI PCM5242
Max bit depth–24-bit
Max sample rate–192 kHz
PCM–24-bit/192kHz
Network and streaming
Wi-Fi802.11n802.11ac
EthernetYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth version4.05.0
Bluetooth codecsAptXaptX HD,AAC,SBC
Bluetooth transmitterYes–
AirPlay 2YesYes
ChromecastNoNo
RoonReadyReady
BluOSYesYes
HEOSNoNo
DTS Play-FiNoNo
Inputs
Analogue inputs22
Phono inputYesYes
Phono typeMMMM
Optical digital21
Coaxial digital21
USB inputYesYes
USB typeUSB-A(Thumbdrive/External HD)USB A
HDMI input–Yes
HDMI ARC / eARC–eARC
Outputs
Preamp outputsStereo RCAStereo RCA
Pre-out / main-in loopNoYes
Subwoofer output–Yes
Headphone output1/41/4
A/B speaker terminalsYesYes
Features and control
Tone controlsYesYes
VU meters–Analog
CD playerNoNo
Handheld remoteYesYes
Remote modelSR 9SR 10
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D)102.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm129.0mm x 450.0mm x 364.0mm
Dimensions, inches4inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-5/8inch5-1/16inch x 17-11/16inch x 14-5/16inch
Weight7.80 kg (17.20 lbs)10.00 kg (22.00 lbs)
Finishes–Black
Removable power cordIEC 3-prongIEC 3-prong
Parts warranty2 Years2 Years
Labour warranty2 Years2 Years

A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure, or it does not apply. 60 specifications compared.

Verdict

Siblings in NAD's Classic range, so they share a design and a house sound. It comes down to power, features and price.

AreaBetterWhy
PowerBNAD C 3050 has more power - 100W against 80W into 8 ohms. That is about 1dB, which is a small step in loudness but real headroom on peaks.
Room sizedependsWe rate NAD C 368 BluOS-2i the better fit for a small room, and NAD C 3050 for a large room and a very large room. Match the amplifier to the room you actually have, not the one you want.
Grip on hard loadsevenly matchedBoth behave much the same into 4 ohms - output barely increases (80W and 100W).
Noise floorANAD C 368 BluOS-2i is the quieter design on paper - 98dB against 95dB. Audible mainly with sensitive speakers in a quiet room.
Built-in DACevenly matchedBoth have a DAC on board with much the same capability.
Streamingevenly matchedThe same streaming platforms and services on both.
Analogue inputsevenly matchedThe same number of line-level inputs (2).
Room to growBOnly NAD C 3050 offers a pre-out/main-in loop - which decides whether you can add a subwoofer or a power amplifier later without replacing the box.
Priceevenly matchedPriced within a few per cent of each other.

A NAD C 368 BluOS-2i  B NAD C 3050
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both amplifiers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

NAD C 3050 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The rows marked "depends" are more likely to decide this than the score is.

What a spec sheet cannot show: how either sounds with your speakers, how the controls feel day to day, and what the app is like to live with - which is where most all-in-one amplifiers are actually won or lost. Power figures are the manufacturers' own and are not measured to a common standard, so treat small differences as noise. If you can hear both, that will tell you more than any row above.

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