This sound system and vinyl is a modern take on a classic hi-fi setup – fewer boxes, better sound.
We are rarely there What is Hi-Fi? you’ve got a product that looks like an old-school piece of kit, and does more like modern hi-fi masters.
That, however, is what we have here, in the form of the very impressive NAD C 3050 (with MDC2 BluOS-D module) broadcast amplifier. This newly added speaker setup is one of a number of new products that are forcing us to revisit our long-held belief that separate products always provide better results than all-in-one systems.
The program
Broadcast amplifier: NAD C 3050 (with MDC2 BluOS-D module)
The main feature, and the biggest difference between the C 3050 and the best stereo amplifier competitors like the Arcam A15 or the Rega Elex Mk4, is the option to add that broadcast module. The MDC2 BluOS-D is based on a platform developed by NAD’s sister company, Bluesound, and adds £350 / $500 / AU$900 to the standalone unit. We think it’s worth the extra cost.
We have no issues with the build and finish of the C 3050 stream. It feels like a quality product with solid casework and solid controls. The fit and finish is good too, giving the NAD the right premium aura. The streaming side is taken care of by the well established BluOS operating system. This is one of the best pieces of streaming control software on the market and is stable, easy to use and intuitive overall.
When putting the unit through its paces in our review, we listened to a variety of digital files, from The Unthanks (the Mount The Air album) and Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances Op.45 went to Nick Cave’s God of the Wild set, and NAD didn’t skip a beat.
“It has the midrange clarity and dynamic range to shine with a vocal-based band like The Unthanks. Detail levels are good, but it’s the lively way the C 3050 organizes all that detail that draws us into the music. It captures the texture and tone of the sisters’ vocals wonderfully and thus conveys the heartfelt love of the title track, Mount The Airbetter than many other methods we have heard.
“The NAD doesn’t just excel at the subtleties either. It can be refined, but if the music demands it, there’s a bite here too. The Rachmaninov piece shows the dynamic power of the C 3050 and the ability to convey the power and authority of the piece. It sounds powerful, delivering a rich and resonant low-pitched sound. A joy.”
Importantly, in the context of this program, the phone stage in the NAD is also good. Overall, this is a best-in-class streaming system.
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 (with enhancements)
That phono stage is put to good use by the turntable we chose for this show. The Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 was a strong five-star contender for its price when it was first released. Add in an excellent value upgrade, however, and the performance is raised to an award-winning level.
The Debut 2 is a well-built, easy-to-use turntable with very little in the way of design, and you can choose from 10 different finishes (some with gorgeous colors) to suit your taste. The old steel bowl has been replaced by a heavy duty aluminum bowl here, with a dense TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) ring to help reduce unwanted ringing.
The 8.6-inch carbon fiber tonearm comes equipped with an Ortofon-developed Pick-It MM Evo moving magnetic cartridge, and setup is hassle-free. We especially like the rocker switch under the plinth that lets us choose between speeds of 33 1/3 and 45 rpm.
The standard Evo 2 has a wonderfully fluid, sweet midrange delivery with a sweet tone – these are qualities that make it a very attractive listen overall. It’s a clean and smooth, if light-weight, presentation, with punchy bass that keeps tracks moving smoothly.
Both the Alu Sub-Platter and the High Power it 2 power supply improve things significantly. Indeed, as we say in our updated review of the Evo 2: “The high power it 2 power is probably the best £25 you’ll ever spend on a turntable. It gives a lot of solidity and depth to the sound of the Evo 2, without compromising that soft smoothness we love so much. The vocals are more confident, the dynamic dynamics are more subtle and it’s a wonderful listening pleasure, and even more mind-blowing.”
And the Alu Sub-Platter adds a satisfying amount of muscle, scale and authority to the Evo 2’s sound that was missing from our first test. There is great power and subtle details found, the sound space is wide, and the power is further improved. This is a perfect sounding turntable, and one that fits into this system well.
The joy of the All-in-one system, of course, is that you only need to add a pair of speakers to get the full experience. The addition of a turntable is a welcome option, without a doubt, but a NAD with good speakers is an excellent start.
And we can’t think of a more appropriate pair of speakers to add to this setup than KEF’s mature mounts. The Q3 Meta is a step-up recorder in KEF’s entry-level range, and offers a chance to experience the brand’s sonic pedigree at a more affordable price than the premium Q Concerto Meta.
At 35.7 x 21 x 30.5cm (hwd) and weighing 8.2kg, these are quite large speakers. They’re built to the high standard we’ve come to expect from KEF, and are weighty and durable – and KEF’s range of Uni-Q drivers is always eye-catching.
For their size, these mounts have a bass performance that’s reasonably weighty. They sound very balanced when placed appropriately away from the back wall of our 3 x 7 x 4m test room – about 40-50cm into the room works well for us.
There are foam bungs provided, if you want to place your speakers closer to your back wall, but you’ll get a dense, dry sound in return. Therefore, bungs are an emergency measure, not an ideal solution.
We get the best sound by hanging the Q3 Meta just slightly towards our central listening position. That gives us a solid stereo image and a pleasing sense of focus.
And, when we have a nailed position, this proves to be a very good pair, with no obvious weaknesses.
As we say in our full review: “The Q3 Meta delivers a rich, balanced sound that will be familiar to anyone familiar with KEF’s latest speakers, showcasing excellent stereo imaging and a talent for sonic design and integration.
“Despite being static monitors, the size, breadth and depth of their soundstage is impressive, and even though our test tracks are demanding, the stereo capture and soundstage rarely suffer.”
To sum them up, then, the KEF Q3 is excellent, with a mature handheld sound with plenty of bass and a rich, full-bodied appeal.
They fit perfectly, then, with the pairing of NAD and Pro-Ject in this stereo system – a solution designed for the modern audiophile who refuses to compromise on either digital or analogue taste.
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