NAD’s limited-edition amp is the 70s hi-fi fetish object I’ve always wanted
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The 1970s were infamous for many things, but one achievement that history has somewhat forgotten is the notoriously good sounding – and cool looking – hi-fi equipment produced during that time.
Audio companies such as JBL, Yamaha and Marantz have looked back on their classic 1970s loudspeaker and amplifier designs to create new versions with the same look, but with a refreshed interior. And now NAD has joined the same retro-themed party with its limited-edition C 3050 LE Stereophonic Amplifier.
With its walnut veneer cabinet and gold LED-lit VU meters, one each for the left and right channels, the C 3050 LE has the warm, welcoming look of the finest integrated amplifiers of the time, and would be a perfect match for many . of the best stereo speakers. The amplifier was produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand, which was launched in 1972, and will be produced in a limited run of 1,972 numbered units.
While NAD’s integrated amplifiers in the 1970s were typically rated at 20 watts per channel (specified across the full frequency band, which was a unique consumer-friendly approach for the time), the C 3050 LE is rated at 100 watts per channel with the same “Full Disclosure Power” approach the company has used for decades.
Features include Wi-Fi streaming via the company’s app-driven BluOS multi-room platform, AirPlay 2 and two-way aptX HD Bluetooth support, the latter for connecting to the best wireless headphones, and an HDMI eARC input. The retro yet thoroughly modern C 3050 LE also features a phono stage for connecting one of the best turntables and a headphone amplifier for connecting the best over-ear headphones.
The price for the C 3050 LE is, you guessed it, $1,972 / £1,756 / about AU$3,530. The limited-edition integrated amplifier will go on sale at select NAD retailers in mid-November.
Analysis: for hi-fi what is old is new again
A 50th anniversary is a fantastic opportunity to look back on your past, and NAD, an innovative brand that has consistently produced affordable components backed by the company’s reliable Full Disclosure Power ratings, has a lot to brag about .
For most of its history, NAD’s integrated amplifiers have had a simple, conservative look – they were there to make music, not to stare at and drool. The limited edition C 3050 LE, on the other hand, hits all the highlights of 1970s hi-fi design – large knobs and knobs, warm-looking VU meters, smooth wooden exterior – and is Absolute drool worthy.
This new nostalgic trend in the hi-fi world – together with the aforementioned companies, brands like Mission, Wharfedale, KLH and NAD’s sister brand PSB, have all released speakers with vintage-inspired looks – is a very positive development. That’s because it allows designers to take advantage of the elegance of the golden age of hi-fi, while producing loudspeakers and amplifiers that take advantage of the enormous technical advances made since the originals were produced and sold.
For anyone missing NAD’s limited-run integrated amplifier, the good news is that a standard C 3050 version with similar specs and many of the same features will also be available, and it will be sold through NAD’s entire global dealer network. At $1,299 / £1,160 / about AU$2,075 it will be less pricey than the limited edition version, but you can bet it won’t have the same great vintage vibe.