NAD C3050LE streaming amplifier with BluOS, MQA and DIRAC

In 1972 the New Acoustic Dimension company was founded, NAD. To celebrate, NAD released the C3050 Limited Edition with the looks of their early success, the C3030, but fitted with modern tech.
Contents of this video
00:00 - Introduction
00:25 - Start of program
02:16 - The front
04:13 - The rear
06:32 - The inside
08:56 - In use
10:17 - How tested
12:55 - Sound quality
14:17 - The wrap
Relevant videos:
About my reference setups, January 2023:
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[@bigshot4kids]

Wow what a great review! Very insightful, very detailed, yet easy to understand and straight to the point. Thank you! I want this amp now

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure entirely.

[@dougg1075]

It’s a beauty. Great review

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@faresmilan5591]

An absolute beauty, I like NAD 😍

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If you can get one....

[@excxflyr]

Nostalgic looks for sure.

[@worldinmotion73064]

Thank you for the very informative review....I was able to secure one in Seattle, Washington!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Great to hear!

[@nosivadbor]

Outstanding review !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thank you kindly!

[@jtee9548]

I bet the dirac was great. I'm glad you enjoyed the NAD. I still think a new or used NAD 316 BEE with a matching NAD CD player or your computer as a streamer is the best way to get started with a sound system.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Have you seen my reference setup 3? (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ61m2qwrZ6mldE)

[@jno682]

Thank you for your hard thorough work evaluating this streaming amplifier. I appreciate your sound rating comparing this NAD with your reference sound. If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts comparing the NAD to the Yamaha R-N2000A stereo receiver you recently reviewed. They seemed to be a close match. Thank you!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It is a close match.

[@TopFlightTeam]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I have wondered this too but the Yamaha is $1000.00 more when on sale and $2000.00 more when it's not.

[@CornelisJoh]

At 7:27 you suggest that NAD replaces two "capacitors" on the original Hypex UCD102 module with coils. In my opinion that is unlikely. I suspect that on the original Hypex module these two components are also coils, albeit coils with a different construction. EDIT: I found a datasheet of the Hypex UCD 102. The two components are referred to as L2 and L6, so definitely coils. These coils are part of the LC output filters at the speaker outputs of the module.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@attrktmarketing4582]

Hi, I really appreciate your videos. I was wondering what characteristic differences you have experienced between the UCD amplification and the nCore ( eg similar to what is used in the c399)? What differences would you expect to hear between the two types? Thank you. Mike

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

nCore is more refined, has less coloration and higher resolution.

[@carlitosgomez71]

The ones with real wooden veneer are limited to a few thousand so likely sold out already, too expensive if you ask me, really only viable if you're in it for the retro looks

[@felixkrell890]

Is there any way I could room-correct two subs with Dirac in case of this amp? I have two smaller subs instead of one big one. I am wondering how I am gonna integrate them with this amp

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Dirac has the option to work with two subs, even if the amp only has one sub out. I have not tried this thought.

[@MatthewGrubbs]

Did you get a chance to use the Phono stage? If so what are your thoughts? I also have one pre-ordered. I might cancel. I do love the looks but most of my listing is analog records and I feel this might not be a good match for me.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I didn't check out the phono stage. Sorry.

[@SeifAlShakarshi]

Hi Hans, I really appreciate and if there is any chance to reviewing the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC soon? Thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I won’t review it again😁. The first review is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoOxcqacn9N7a5I

[@SeifAlShakarshi]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 😁 I'm so sorry I didn’t mean Mola Mola, I meant Weiss 501 dac 😊

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have no plans currently.

[@allenh.7373]

You have had such extreme discipline for over such a long period of time regarding your diet and exercise that it is time for new shirts!

[@gdwlaw5549]

Dear Allen, Hans was was extremely poorly these past years and has had the courage to continue this channel with upmost professionalism. We adore him. Not quite sure if this type of remark is appreciated here. You may mean well but let’s just keep to hifi matters.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thank you G D W Lawrence for your concern. But actually I like it when people see my efforts to loose weight.

[@allenh.7373]

​@@gdwlaw5549 I will comment on things as I please. I've been a huge fan for many years, I understand his surgery and also his weight loss, which I know he is proud of. He's not losing weight because he is sick, he is losing weight because he is being healthy. It is inspirational. Good day.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Creep it cool guys😬

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@allenh.7373 I work in the fashion industry and everyone has to be perfect, skinny etc. I come here for something else. Allen, I apologize to you. I guess we could do a crowd funding for a new shirt

[@cammmm99]

Curious on the remotes ability to control other devices, presumably any current model NAD CD player ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's like I told in the video....

[@cammmm99]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel ok there is a full list of NAD devices which the SR10 remote will control in the manual

[@Infidelio]

Does Dirac choose the crossover frequency of the subwoofer based on its evaluation of the acoustics of the room, or is that chosen by the user at the sub?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You can set the Xover.

[@user-wg7dx7er8w]

Hi 👋, from the future, I have been watching your channel for a few years now , as always very interested, it is now 2024, but I have been loyal NAD supporter , I have had the 3020-314, they were going through a vintage Cambridge power amp, 100+ amp, Which sadly no longer works, then my 3020 packed up, and then I purchased the 314, They both are lacking power, as I am trying to drive my 150 W transmission line loudspeaker tablets, These are quite substantial, nearly 5 foot in height, with 8 inch drivers seas , and tweeters, I am now looking to do a big upgrade, I was trying to go with NAD again, And I have been looking for ones that I can connect, phono, CD, Tape deck, and at some point, I might be getting a Reel 2 Real, . as you probably know a lot of machines nowadays, do not support take deck, And most of NAD machines compatible, no longer in existence they’re no longer made, could you suggest something please open to any opinion, I have been trying to find a NAC375 5BEE , as I think support all what I need, as regards to power, output and input, what is your thoughts please?,

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I can’t do personal advice. Sorry.

[@ceescosijn5656]

Do you get the full Dirac license together with the C3050?

[@ceescosijn5656]

@@steverogers7611 is it the money worth??

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Are you serious? It is the one system that upgrades 'affordable' equipment by correcting potential problems in acoustics and equipment.

[@ceescosijn5656]

@@steverogers7611 i own also the M 33 but don’t have the full version of Dirac.

[@paulhunter6652]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Unfortunately the upgraded Dirac set-up by a pro made the sound thin and took the life out of the speakers. NAD C-658, NAD C-298 with Paradigm Founder F-100 speakers. Same result with a friends system with standard Dirac. Perhaps Dirac is better suited to surround sound systems?

[@UnworthyPapaLazaru]

Is the phono stage good?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I haven’t tried.

[@darrenmorley7453]

Hi . I have had one on order since November 2022 and delivery appears to keep getting put back because of the VU displays being Too bright originally. ☹️Not sure if I’d be better switching it to a C399! If they are more readily available or hanging on. Any experience of this amp? Not retro looking but more classic style. Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I haven’t reviewed the c399 so I can’t say. Sorry.

[@darrenmorley7453]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you Hans for your reply, and the best to you.

[@Audiorevue]

if it were me and the thing that drew me to it originally was the retro look but with modern capability then I would certainly stay with what you have on order. because every time you fire up the 399 you're going to take and look at it and see it devoid of lights and meters and say to yourself " Man I wish I would have waited"

[@darrenmorley7453]

@@Audiorevue I guess you are right. It does look lovely, I also got the retro PSB 50s to go with it. Same veneer finish. Patience is a virtue! Thanks for the message.

[@ThousandThrills]

After all this time, they will probably send you the black version without the wood veneer, I would contact them if I were you if that's not what you want. I still can't see the c389 anywhere, that's weird. Maybe got cancelled or delayed since it would kill many of the 399 sales and 388 imo...

[@davidurquhart974]

seems sold out already

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

There is a limited number available per region. It might be that another dealer in your region or in another country still might have one.

[@clemleg123]

There will be a non-limited version of it soon. Exact same but the veneer will not be real wood and it won't have a number on the back. The blueOS/Dirac module will be optional but you can still get it as a package. It will also be marginally cheaper.

[@user-hv7fb4by1w]

Nostalgic class d amp?😂

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

😁