NAD C3030: Hi-Fi amplifier with vintage elegance

While vintage design is all the rage, Canadian manufacturer NAD proves it has mastered the art. The newcomer, named the NAD C3030, pays direct homage to the historic 1970 model with a compact chassis only 12.9 cm high. It features the matte black front panel adorned with the historic logo in cursive script and, most notably, the famous dual VU meters with backlit needles that provide a rhythmic listening experience. Under the hood, nostalgia gives way to modern efficiency. The C3030 relies on HybridDigital amplification capable of delivering 2 x 50 W of continuous power into both 4 and 8 ohms. This technology, a signature of the British manufacturer, promises inaudible distortion (less than 0.03%) and high stability in the face of speaker impedance variations, ensuring tight bass and generous dynamics. Connectivity of the NAD C3030: A Foot in the Future. Unlike its predecessor bearing the same name, which appeared in 1974, the NAD C3030 doesn't shy away from digital sources. It's a matter of generations. It includes an HDMI eARC input for simplified connection to a television, allowing volume control via the TV's remote. The digital section is completed by an optical input and a Qualcomm APT-X HD Bluetooth receiver for wireless high-resolution streaming. Hi-Res Audio certification is therefore included. The Nad C3030, vinyl too! Vinyl enthusiasts are not forgotten with a MM phono input. Finally, for those who want to boost the low end, a subwoofer output is present, along with a fixed 80 Hz high-pass filter to relieve the main speakers and optimize the system in a 2.1 configuration. Available now. Suggested retail price: €990. Key features of the NAD C3030: • Model: 2.1 • Power: 2 x 50 W into 4/8 ohms • Inputs: 1 stereo RCA line input, 1 MM phono input, 1 optical input, 1 12V trigger jack, and 2 pairs of screw terminals • Outputs: 1 HDMI/eARC output, 1 LFE output, 1 6.35 mm headphone output • Signal-to-noise ratio: > 90 dB • Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.05% • Frequency response: 20 - 20,000 Hz • Power consumption: 150 W, < 0.5 W in standby mode; • Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 356 x 129 x 329; • Weight: 5.8 kg