NAD C 3030 Integrated Amplifier Review

Although New Acoustic Dimension came to fame via its compact 3020 integrated amplifier of 1978, it was the 3030 that preceded it, which first put NAD on the map. The 1976 3030 packed a claimed 30W RMS per channel, compared to the newer amp’s 20W, and sported a more chintzy look – especially in its silver trim option. Indeed, it looked the quintessence of seventies budget amps, complete with tone controls, meters and filters – while the slimmer and more minimalist 3020 was arguably an eighties amp that arrived early to the party.

Interestingly, NAD is now channelling the 3030 in the styling of its new retro-looking C 3030 budget integrated. Morten Nielsen, Global Product Manager, says there’s “a wider shift toward more intentional listening”. Many people, he argues, are taking a more deliberate approach to hi-fi, with distinctively styled separates sporting a tactile feel – in other words, physical media like vinyl and CD. This stands in contrast to the more mainstream streaming systems operated by apps and/or remote control.

He explains to StereoNET: “The foundation for this direction was laid with the C 3050 LE Anniversary Edition integrated amplifier, which later evolved into the standard C 3050. From the very beginning of that project, the intention was not to create a one-off product, but to explore the possibility of a broader Heritage lineup. NAD continues to develop modern-looking products across the Classic and Masters Series, but we also see clear room for a parallel range that draws more directly on our visual and emotional heritage.”

Up Close

So the new C 3030 and its BluOS streaming brother, the C 3030S, are going for the seventies ‘golden years’ hi-fi vibe then, whilst being powered by the latest tech under the hood. Rather than an absolute replica of the 3030, this is more of a modern ‘reimagining’ – to put it in a voguish way. Externally, it gets most of the accoutrements of the original, including the classic ‘NAD grey’ finish, the not-quite full-width case, and the distinctive ‘New Acoustic Dimension’ fascia livery. Oh, and of course, the big power meters which delighted many a schoolboy back in the day!

Internally, though, the C 3030 is a different story. Inputs include HDMI eARC, TOSLINK digital and aptXHD Bluetooth wireless, plus analogue line in and MM phono – although sadly there’s no coaxial digital input. Outputs comprise one pair of speaker binding posts, a subwoofer with switchable 80Hz high-pass filter, plus a trad front-panel 6.3mm headphone socket. A Texas Instruments PCM5242 differential DAC is fitted, chosen because – in the words of Morten –“this is a chipset we have extensive experience with and have chosen specifically for how well it integrates with the rest of our platform.”

In terms of its electronic design, the new C 3030 benefits from what he calls “continuous improvements to the surrounding system architecture, including the preamplifier section, power supply design, DAC implementation, grounding, and overall signal handling.” Morten says these elements have a significant impact on real-world performance and musical presentation, particularly in an integrated amplifier where all stages must work together as a coherent system.

A claimed 2x 50W RMS into 8 ohms of Class D power comes courtesy of NAD’s HybridDigital UcD platform – with 20 amps of peak current into 1 ohm. This is based on the Universal Class D amplifier module pioneered by the esteemed Bruno Putzeys (originally of Philips, then Hypex), and it has been refined over the years by NAD. It’s not to be confused with the company’s Purifi Eigentakt (“self-clocking”) platform, used in higher-end models.

Morten explains NAD’s dual-path power amp approach. “HybridDigital is our term for Class D amplification where the audio signal is analogue-controlled at the modulation stage, as opposed to our DirectDigital designs where the signal remains digital and directly controls the output stage. Both approaches coexist in our portfolio, depending on the application. For the C 3030, HybridDigital UcD offers the right balance of performance, power capability, efficiency, and cost-to-performance ratio. Purifi Eigentakt is a state-of-the-art technology that we currently use in our highest-level products, and is complex and expensive.”

In the flesh, the C 3030 will delight many. This compact but heavy [110x355x450mm, 10kg] design is well built and finished. Its fascia may lack the twin tape monitor buttons of the original, but its switchgear is still satisfyingly tactile, and there are no tedious onscreen menus. The power meters light up red on switch-on until the speaker protection system gives the all-clear, at which point they change to white. They can be set to read as VU meters (i.e., the input signal) or as power meters (i.e., the output) via a small toggle on the rear of the amp.

For my auditioning, I tried the C 3030 with a range of loudspeakers, and used both its internal DAC and my reference Chord Hugo TT2 for digital playback. My Sony TTS-8000/ SME S3/ Technics EPC-205MK3 turntable gave this amp a high-quality analogue signal to get its teeth into.

The Listening

Fifty or so years on from the original 3030, and the new C 3030 carries over a surprisingly distinctive NAD sonic fingerprint. Although the new one doesn’t sound quite the same as the original, the similarity is more than just an illusion. If you’ve owned a good example of the old 3030 as I have, then you’ll remember its warm, rosy and seductive tonality – including a sumptuous upper bass, sugary midband and silky treble. The new C 3030 is a good deal more neutral, but there are still hints of its namesake in its sound. Cue up a cleanly recorded slice of nineties indie-pop like World of Twist’s Sons of the Stage, and it’s clear that this amplifier is a beguiling performer that puts atmosphere before analysis.

At the same time, the new amp echoes the original’s powerful driving style. The first 3030 never came over as an overtly muscular-sounding amp, but it kept on working hard – even with tricky speakers – the more you turned the volume up. Likewise, the new amp sounds pretty unflappable even at high volumes. Not only this, but it metes out dynamic power even at close to full output into speakers of only average sensitivity. Playing the classic late seventies rock of Robert Plant’s Big Log, this amplifier stays impressively calm and solid even at high listening levels.

Nineteen-seventies NADs always had commendably wide soundstages, and the new C 3030 continues the tradition. Well-recorded pop such as Prefab Sprout’s Bonny comes over as a huge wall of sound, inside which multiple strands of the mix swirl and bob around with heady abandon. The recording’s keyboard work has impact and drama, while the drum kit sounds punchy and positive, and the synthesiser backing is powerfully rendered. It makes for a dramatic sound that belies the amplifier’s price.

The C 3030 sounds pretty consistent regardless of loudspeaker choice. It drives my reference Yamaha NS-1000M monitors (91dB sensitivity) cleanly and confidently, and sounds much the same in its general character with an old pair of Rogers BBC LS3/5as (82dB). A more modern pair of Acoustic Energy AE1 40s (85dB) again shows the amp’s basic sonic signature, which means a warm and big-hearted presentation. Timing is well conveyed, with a satisfying rhythmic flow. In absolute terms – compared to far more expensive amps – the NAD sounds a little opaque across the midband, and bass lacks the grip and articulation of more expensive designs. Yet all the same, the C 3030 is never not fun to play.

It satisfies across all sources, whether you’re playing classic soul in the shape of Womack and Womack’s Love Wars from LP, or the frenetic hardcore techno of Manix’s Join The Future via Bluetooth. With the former track, the bass guitar lays a sumptuous foundation for the intimate, closely mic'd vocal. With the latter, the NAD pushes out a huge soundstage, packed with frenetic shuffling percussion and haunting vocal samples. In terms of detail and depth, its internal DAC cannot match my reference Chord costing four times its price, yet it does well for a budget amp. Whatever music it’s making, the C 3030 is always enthusiastic.

The Verdict

NAD’s new C 3030 is a stylish, fine-sounding package. With serious power, super build and modern connectivity, it wins on these terms alone. Yet the added novelty of old-school styling brings extra fun. Whether you’re a newcomer to proper separates hi-fi or once owned an original nineteen-seventies 3030, it’s a highly attractive proposition. The only caveat is the company’s own C 3050 – complete with more watts per channel, a larger power supply and the company’s excellent MDC2 expansion slot for future functionality – makes a great case for itself. This pricier amp is more flexible, whereas the C 3030 doesn’t have much of an upgrade path. Ultimately, it depends on your needs; personally, I love the simplicity of this basic model.

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