NAD's C 3050LE is 100% 'VINTAGE' Future-Fi!

[@trickfall8752]

I generally buy vintage receivers in large part because I find a lot of modern hifi equipment to be esthetically unappealing, but oddly enough I've never liked the NAD style. What I'd really like is something that was in a vintage style walnut case with a big volume knob, balance, treble and bass knobs and an input selector and then the rest of the front panel be a screen like the Rose so you can choose different skins.

[@lkibbler]

Great video John. I love the “high rent” videos made with Olaf, the fantastic musical and visual edits and all the rest but not at the expense of your health! This video was fantastic as always and I, for one, will look forward to and enjoy every video you put out. I am new to this hifi hobby and I feel like you are a trusted friend helping me along the way. Thank you for all you do and your honest guidance through this challenging new world I have begun to traverse. Also always enjoy the bloopers!

[@lokerola]

This amp looks fantastic. If I were in the market for an integrated amp - I'd be buying one of these. I heard your podcast on the NAD C3050LE, it was quite interesting!

[@jamesattenborough2597]

Both the speakers and the NAD look glorious

[@MikeYoungeasytravel]

Nothing against Olaf, but I didn’t notice that this was a “low rent video” until you mentioned it! The value of your videos are the content, not the cinematography.

[@rikardekvall3433]

John! Now this is a real Future-fi review! You did it before it happened. Back to the Future.

[@stevenbarall9227]

Fantastic video. Most other reviewers would have talked about how it sounds without actually having heard it so thanks for not doing that. Cheers!

[@ko-biko]

Those Passif 50s are beautiful!

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

I have an NAD 3080 which looks exactly like the 3030 shown in the video. I believe the only difference is that the 3080 is rated at 80 watts per channel. It also has an ambient mode for use with a second set of speakers. I’m definitely intrigued by this new version!

[@hillelbrandes1488]

It also has additional controls, but yes, same basic styling as 3030.

[@grumpy9478]

bought my 3080 when it was released. in semi-regular use ever since & currently core to the den's audio-video system. one service only (power switch & meter lights). tech measured it @ 105W/ch. a bit warm sound, so forgiving of bright/fwd spkrs (which I like). lotsa control flexibility, including a mic circuit that's come in handy when doing duty as a PA or for singers in need.

[@yourdiytechlife]

What a great look! I’d love to see more of this kind of styling.

[@ptbfrch]

it's a bit frustrating that they create so much hype around a new product, causing it to sell out before it's possible to know how it sounds. Great video either way! love the format!

[@9thstreetbrandt]

I hope more brands will follow these vintage cues

[@johnhpalmer6098]

I have a vintage NAD receiver. The 7240PE (power envelope) and it's diminutive in size, but a powerhouse despite being "40W", plays closer to a 60W unit, and that's with 6 Ohm speakers connected. Also vintage 3-ways, the L810 acoustic bass ADS units from 1979.

[@jbaronw123]

I had the same model as my first high quality receiver. It was great and I had it fixed until it was unfixable.

[@marcgabor9690]

You've said it before, hifi is furniture. Classic simple design makes for great chairs and tables that are timeless and easy to place in lots of different spaces. I don't see why the same can't be true for amps and speakers. This may be retro but to me it's a design that is easy to place in most people's homes. The furniture in my home is mostly second hand and a bit vintage looking, so vintage (or vintage looking) hifi equipment with wood veneer trim looks great in my space (especially with a few house plants).

[@sudipdutt9699]

Title should have been - "Not your Dad's NAD" 😄😄😄

[@davidjgomm]

"Not your Father's NAD" was what brought me here. I still think you missed an opportunity and the tag should've been "Not your dad's NADs".

[@stevedundee866]

🤣 brilliant!

[@Brett1334]

Not gonna lie, I don’t really see much of a shift in terms of quality in this video, obviously the panning shots etc aren’t as frequent but I think more of these sort of videos are very much welcomed by us all! Thanks!

[@bjwal6]

Firstly, there will be non-limited version launching next year. Secondly, when talking about comparisons, need to discuss c399 which has hypex amp and … well everything. But lastly - so excited that NAD, the most future fi amp company, exploring vu meters and physical front panel controls. My dream.

[@mrpositronia]

I love a good 'do-it-all' amp. Especially one that looks like a traditional amplifier.

[@markphillips1509]

Thank you John. Really appreciated. Pre-Ordered immediately after watching.

[@robertendert8944]

UcD class D modules are also made by Hypex, it just a previous generation (prior to NC-series).. NAD is one of the first companies that has been using Hypex UcD modules for many years.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

NAD always kept the good quality to their products

[@coguglielmi]

Absolutely love the retro/modern looks of this amp! Would love to try out one and maybe get it, although these are far too limited in units produced... now this is frustrating!

[@NBPT428]

Love the concept of a retro design with 21st century tech. I just purchased an M10v2 and love it but this might have changed my mind if I saw this first. Great video!!!!

[@derekjarman1638]

Love the look of it! Look forward to your full review.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Amp looks Great ! N.A.D. has always been a solid Company - Yamaha/Leak/NAD/Techniques/Luxman all of them have brought back the Vintage Flare Thanks John APPRICATE you my dude !

[@jerrylee7737]

For forty years I used only NAD integrated amplifiers - first the 3020, later the 314. When the NAD C3050 appeared on the market, I was determined to buy it. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to compare the amplifier with Cambridge and Audiolab in a hi-fi studio. The NAD disappointed me thoroughly. "You know, it's Class D amplifier" the salesman explained to me. I have purchased the Audiolab A 8300 and I'm not looking back. It's a great shame. I've spent the better part of my life with NAD.

[@rotaks1]

Going to love this NAD. I have successfully reserved a piece. Want Olaf back!😇

[@michaelbrown3294]

The video is perfect! I kind of like the more personal approach. Great job.

[@alex_ur5lam]

Congratulations, marketers are on top as always. Retro boy can't live without new retro speakers now))

[@christian2123]

I wouldn't call the video "low rent", I thought it looked and sounded great. I was able to experience the 3050 and Passif speakers last week at Toronto AudioFest. It is a nice looking, well priced piece of gear. It may have been the setup but I felt the sound was a bit light sounding. That said, it could be seeing vintage looking gear you anticipate warmish vintage sound, and this in my super unqualified 10 minute demo at a tradeshow did not sound "vintage" at all. My only minor quibble was with the LEDs under the volume knob that I felt were too bright. Can't wait to hear your opinion on it! Cheers.

[@Barry101er]

Simply the best hifi channel. :)

[@marcusnz232]

The look of the speakers and the amp take me back to my first forays into real hifi in the early 80's. Good that NAD are making a product alarmingly like my Linn Selekt system with cards! Love the VU meters.

[@Hush99]

Video looks fantastic, John!

[@KeithHeinrich]

Applause for the restomod inspired NAD. And cannot wait for the PSB review either. High fives and fistbumps to Lenbrook for leveraging the heritage of their brands in this way. Good job with the vid, didn't miss Olaf at all (sorry Olaf).

[@yamakawa511]

I don't think this is for me but as a NAD 3020 owner (not that it gets played much these days) I love the design aesthetic. There's a nod to the older NADs with the VU meters and the stylish New Acoustic Dimension logo as well as the 3020 in terms of the controls and the level LEDs. Y

[@o0divinity0o]

Finally! VU meters, real wood and eARC. That’s all I need, I don’t care about the sound. Looks matter.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 SO IF THEY SOUND GREAT 👍 IT IS A BONUS 😁😎

[@JBOsurf]

Thanks for your channel John. FYI, this amp will be available next year, without the wood trim as a non-LE version. So anyone who misses out on the LE version can still get one, sans wood, but with meters....

[@oz1701]

Nothing low rent about your coverage but I am sure I read somewhere that only the LE is limited to 1972 units at the $1972.00. That NAD will release a non LE version in 2023 at a different price and with or without the modules which can be purchased later as separate items to be slotted in to the vacant bays. Maybe you could confirm that with NAD when you get your review units, John. Good luck with your health issues and keep looking after yourself.

[@NotoThomas]

So excited about this, I love the idea and can’t wait for the comparison and your thoughts.

[@shankararora8117]

Love your reviews; they are well structured, designed and most importantly really thought out. That NAD looks delish..

[@kadajawi6567]

Few things perhaps: UcD is HypeX... it's just an earlier, lesser design to nCore. Purifi was developed by the same team AFAIK, but after they founded a new company. It further improves on the nCore. The UcD is most likely used by the latest Powernode too. And I'm not the biggest fan. It's okay, maybe good, but the Audiolab 6000A sounds better. Purifi does too. And several others. Charging 2500 for a UcD is absurd... as pretty as this is (and I absolutely want one, having a vintage NAD from 1974...).

[@mdavisyates]

I worked for a pro audio manufacturer in Portland, OR. that's been around since 2010'ish so UcD is at least that old. All of the monitor amplification was UcD, the individual modules have very loose tolerances and in order to get a multichannel amp working properly so much testing and matching of them had to be done. Even that couldn't help the issues with Hypex's own power supplies. It has been extremely strange to get back into HiFi and see so many manufacturers using off the shelf components as the heart of their designs to say the least.

[@donaldgoerig6171]

Awesome, I bought one as soon as I finished the video :) Thank you!

[@petelightedge7399]

I didn’t even get to the end of the video before I pre-ordered, just in case you are listening mr NAD 😊

[@schwanzusminimus3321]

Right up my alley! Only XLR in-/outputs are missing :-/

[@stevevlahos1]

Thanks John. I started listening to your podcast and enjoy at times your unvarnished thoughts and feelings about audio and audiophiles. 😊

[@groozdas]

Hey, thanks a lot for the news! Finally a vintage quality design amp for a 21st cent. Have you got a review or similar product list that would tick all the boxes of NADs streaming capabilities, but still have that vintage look and quality? I’m not a serious audiophile, nor have time diving deep into this abyss. Hate all the wire+adapter+device mess. A single device that looks great and does all the work by leaving a clean space around is a dream.

[@thorenjohn]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@tomd5678]

I had the original NAD back in the 80s

[@D1N02]

There is no sales tax included in American pricing, there is in German pricing. That's 19% explained

[@wallyj2000]

Thank your doing awesome job as usual keep up the Great work.

[@K00kie]

aaaaaand its gone, I had seen this very amp 2 days ago on the crutchfield website, now the page has been deleted.

[@mothergoose3064]

Great video John. I really like, short and sharp. Nothing low rent about it, in my book.

[@yellow_noise3]

John, you are my best reviewer I like to watch, no kidding! it is great content and please do not hesitate to continue solo recordings. I've seen your "heart" story, so please take care! you do great! Continue to bring us new reviews and gear with respect to your health! all the best!!!

[@mathiasjohnson5388]

Leak, JBL and now NAD, sure. Yet, did McIntosh ever stop making vintage looking amplifiers?

[@monkeypunker]

It sure looks stunning. I was hoping for around a 1000 usd/eur price tag😢. Would pair nicely with some tuners from the 60’s and 70’s.

[@patrickfinlay2074]

That will look nice with some walnut wharfdale lintons

[@GPintoFerrao]

Hi John, Thanks once more for the video. The NAD 3050 Le costs in Portugal and Spain €2192

[@normanmorrow4897]

The new NAD looks amazing, and as a long-term NAD fan am very tempted (although in reality I don't need it). Great vid as always, cheers

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

2:16 what are the options for the second bay?

[@sammessenger2677]

I think there is only 1 Bay on this amp, looking at pictures. But NAD MDC cards include a 3 input 4k hdmi switcher with earc(I personally have and love) the bluos module already mentioned, and a USB DSD module.

[@MidFiMan]

I've already reached out to my preferred dealer and have them saving me one. They said they had "ordered a bunch of them." Can't wait.

[@winc06]

Bought a NAD tuner, preamp and amp 3 years ago. The blue on light failed on the power amp, but it still works. Two of the inputs on the preamp failed and are not usable. Tuner still OK. I like the philosophy of high tech for a reasonable price, but will not buy them again for the reliability. My Carver stuff lasted decades with no problems.

[@RM-fu8yb]

NAD Not Always Defective.

[@wills681]

Another excellent episode. Even topics that might not be of immediate relevance to me are interesting and informative. As an aside, I have my late pa's Leak Stereo 30 Plus and it's pretty in this age of modern components.

[@vincedebart]

Great video John. Really that’s all you need to do. Straight cuts voiceover’s no fancy camera moves with fancy music behind it. “Just the facts ma’am”

[@MrSilviut]

Yeah it’s weird with all the camera angles

[@francois-xaviergonnet7216]

I've listen to the NAD C3050LE in a show.... and it's really good ! The M33 (also shown) is even better... It's the kind of product you ask yourself why did you spent so much time and effort building up your system...

[@RaoulSamDaruwala]

I had the original. Damn it. I sold it.

[@dangoh2237]

I brought the NAD 3030 & sold my 3020 because I love the meters!

[@ralex3697]

I’d rather listen to the music then stare at the meters

[@adurockt6391]

That Unit is sold out in Switzerland!! 50 NAD Amplifiers was in stock !!

[@janeechan3283]

Heard this amp yesterday with the PSB 50 in KLAV show. It’s sounds amazing!

[@kjltube]

What did you like about the sound?

[@hillelbrandes1488]

Thanks John, and thanks for the podcast on the same subject. Yeh, I’m an old-school NAD guy. ‘First amp was the 3020 (before the 3020A). ‘So disappointed that NAD has pretty much gone all class D. I wonder why they chose to reference the C3050LE to the 3030, and not the 3045 (or 3060…).

[@johnshaw4913]

Hi John. I had the 3020 many years ago and when I saw this new NAD I thought, WOW! That looks amazing, but £2400 is just too expensive. Much the same with the Mission 770's. Do Hi Fi companies not see what's going on in the world today. I don't care if you have to do low rent style vids, I'll still watch them because your health is the most important thing. Howsabout maybe doing some more vids on slightly more affordable Hi Fi? Anyway, love the channel.

[@kleemusic546]

It's £1972...

[@Noksukau11]

It's £1799 in the UK.

[@ltlai9465]

Had a long audition session both of them on yesterday Malaysia AV SHOW 2022. In general, their combined sound - positive! The sound..., later let John do the sharing... 🙂 Remember to calibrate the room with Dirac Live, it make obvious difference. According to NAD, bigger the room the result is more obvious.

[@LuisMartinez-og8bk]

Hey John, thank you for your videos and thank you for this review. I have an old vintage NAD 3045 which I will give it a well deserve it TLC. And enjoy it . All the best John.

[@ianbusby2845]

Excellent video,high standard as usual!

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

I've Never been tempted by NAD products before. This has a huge cool factor, regardless of topology and or pedigree.

[@carewser]

I'm Canadian so if everything else is equal i'd buy a Canadian product but i've always thought that PSB and NAD are overpriced. NAD has always defended their amplifiers by saying they're high current so their amps can put out way more than their rated power but for the same money you can have another amp from Pioneer/Technics/Yamaha/Kenwood etc.... with a much higher power rating so they probably have similar power output so where's the NAD advantage other than appealing to audiophiles?

[@mrmessyjesse]

I hope you get a chance to compare it to the Marantz 40N, mostly because I love my 40N for it’s “futurefi” capabilities but it does not have Blu OS, which I have on my Node/Peachtree GAN1 bedroom system. I like Blu OS better than HEOS but the 40N sounds more… musical and less clinical than bedroom system. I have never used Dirac so I can’t miss what I have never had lol

[@spunkthecombo]

Great Pre-Review! Plus I always dig the out-takes. I really enjoy your channel and the gear you review. How about a review of the Leak Stereo 130 + Leak CDT? I love the looks! Carry on.

[@jbaronw123]

I pre-ordered one of these a few days after they became available. I have doubts that i will receive one and Crutchfield has already taken it off their site. My first good sound came from a NAD 7240PE; never forgot about that amp. Not sure if i will get a similar experience out of class D given my most recent audition of the M33 but just could not pass up the feature list on this amp.

[@nesutoneko]

Beautiful amp - gives my Yamaha A-S1200 a run for it's money. And LOVE the idea of onboard Dirac.

[@spda242]

If I didn’t Have a good receiver/setup already, I could have been sold on this creating an retro looking setup 😃 VU-meters 👍

[@CKGerlach]

John, don‘t forget, that German listprice includes VAT what is 19% in Germany today.

[@JohnDoe-yo2us]

and 21% in the netherlands. That makes the price difference.

[@TheShanman]

Let's keep going with those bigger retro stand mounts since you did the Mission and now the PSB's. Lintons anyone?

[@footagemissing]

Looking forward to the full review. And also the review of the Passif 50 speakers. I have the NAD C 700 and looking for a good speaker pairing.

[@murraywebster1228]

American prices don’t include VAT/Sales Tax…….or import duties to UK/EEC…..

[@MrTgrewell]

I read that NAD will also be offering this amp without the 50th-anniversary decoration and color scheme and at a lower price including a silver face. I hope it sounds good, looking forward to the review.

[@dandiki]

That is great news!

[@damienlahoz]

put in a pre-order the other day before listening to the Pod. I really dont need this but Im intrigued to hear how an all in one with Dirac will perform against my separates with Dirac (and valves)

[@pervasefrederiksen316]

UCD modules are from Hypex, like the Ncore modules in the M10.

[@jamesrobertson504]

The link in the description for the 3050LE at Crutchfield keeps returning a 404 error. Even tried searching it in Crutchfield's search bar and nothing. Sorry, editing comment, just saw note it's no longer available. Sold out fast.

[@slip6699]

I bet we see a slightly different version come out if the sales are that good

[@jamesrobertson504]

@@slip6699 Hope you're right, but I also hope it's only slight changes. Really like that retro look together with the latest tech.

[@knivesandfire1]

I want one. Not only because I’m a bit of a NAD fanboy (I have the original 3020 with the matching FM tuner, cassette deck and turntable, and a more modern D 3045), I’m a sucker for VU meters. If this LE model sells out quick, at least there will be a standard C 3050 without the wood veneer and included BluOS module costing for much less.

[@AIskolen]

like your video style 😊 please continue!

[@joelediger1728]

I'm kinda new to Hi-Fi, so please be kind: What's that all about classes? A,B,D... Would be interesting to me

[@livingmaga6299]

A Vintage Pioneer SX1080 with any Bluetooth Module, and you can't go Wrong. 👍🤘👏

[@sixergixer]

None of these guys actually answered your question. Lol Do a KZbin search for "PS Audio Amplifier Class" or something to that effect and you'll probably get some better explanation from Paul therein than you will in these comments. It is interesting indeed.

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Great job on the videography, John! Nice look on the new NAD, but too bad it's not Class A/B.....................

[@SpirallingOut]

If hi-fi companies are finally noticing the growing resurgence of vintage gear and making their new gear in this style and modernizing with additions like streaming and modern connectivity, why are they not modernizing these vintage-look new amps with LED display screens to show the functions in use, music details and album art (even play videos, like official music clips) etc? With that nice wood veneer, if this had a vintage style brushed aluminum face with machined dials & switches and a 1080p LED display (even the VU meters could've been a display function) it would have been both a very visually and functionally attractive piece of gear to have. Feels like a missed opportunity considering they put them in their other gear like the M10 & C700.

[@billbones1000]

Keep doing it like this and enjoy your cardio

[@trevorbartram5473]

I believe my first closed back headphones circa 1973, recommended by a London HiFi dealer, were made by PSB?

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Your video title threw this Vintage guy off and for a loop ? Never heard a Vintage class D amp 😆 Would love to hear one and compare to a real vintage amp like me Sansui G8000 or Marantz 2270 or Yamaha Ca-810 - (Did you mean a Vintage look ? ) bass management is nice if you use active subs . Thanks for the video I

[@nickloughrey9841]

Im glad they send you all the kit . The are abysmal at having the brand at their import agents to buy .............. waiting 3 months now for the C399

[@Andyhandle]

Impressive review. A glossary of terms link would be handy! Years ago I thought about a NAD amplifier but ended up with Cambridge Audio. And for all this time I thought it was pronounced "Nad" rather than "N A D".

[@dougg1075]

Super cool. Speakers and NAD.