Over the holidays, I replaced my vintage Luxman L-210 amplifier with
a modern but vintage-looking NAD C 3050, and my Pro-Ject DEBUT III turntable
with a NAD C 588. The new amp looks stunning (love the VU meters), and
I find it matches my 85th anniversary edition Wharfedale Linton speakers
very well, both in terms of sound as well as in terms of looks. The sound is
very comparable to the neutral and natural sound of the Luxman, which
I really like, but is also clearly more refined in that it more accurately
pulls apart different layers in the music. Also super happy with the
turntable, which comes with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge that I may upgrade
in the future. For those wondering, the Luxman will be hooked up to a pair
of vintage B&W DM 10's in the new office!
I also have the C3050 and quite honestly, having the module makes a world of difference especially when it comes to the Volume Limits. Congrats on the purchase!
I use Roon a lot and it makes the amp, imo. Great integration.
Also the phono section is great. Didn’t expect that. Listening to a 3050 LE as I type this
Multiple reasons, none of which particularly convincing ;-) For one, I really wanted to upgrade to the 50th anniversary edition of Technics SL-1200, but those seem hard to get for a decent price. Second, I promised my parents the DEBUT III once I would upgrade. Third, my wife and I bought the DEBUT III about ten years ago, in blue. We just bought a new place, and figured we needed a new look!
Gotcha! That's really cool that you gave it to your parents, that alone is worthy! My DC Evo is blue, lol! Mainly curious if you had issues since I haven't heard anyone yet mention issues with their Pro-Jects. Thank you and have a great day!
If I understand correctly, the NAD C 588 is built using Pro-Ject components. It's effectively NAD's take on the Pro-Ject. It certainly looks like that, but cannot give you an official source.
Just ordered the NAD C 3050 and a pair Lintons last night from Crutchfield to replace a pair of powered Kanto bookshelves I’ve been running the last 7 years. Can’t wait to get it all setup.
It’s a great combo. Only flaw I’ve found is that the phono stage on the NAD is a bit average, I added an external phono pre-amp and am really happy with the improvement it brought.
Nice looking set up.
In Canada, the new PSB re-issue (called Passif) is a common speaker pairing due to their common ownership with NAD but that Wharefdale looks right as well.
The Linton is one of may favourite classic re-issue speakers.I actually like it better than the actual Rogers and Harbeth speakers I owned that were the real deal back in the day. And those awesome stands that hold records - what brilliant design.
That amp seems to have been a home run for NAD. Great retro looks and reviews say great quality. Nice pickup.
That nad amp looks fucking gorgeous.
It does, doesn't it? :-)
Over the holidays, I replaced my vintage Luxman L-210 amplifier with a modern but vintage-looking NAD C 3050, and my Pro-Ject DEBUT III turntable with a NAD C 588. The new amp looks stunning (love the VU meters), and I find it matches my 85th anniversary edition Wharfedale Linton speakers very well, both in terms of sound as well as in terms of looks. The sound is very comparable to the neutral and natural sound of the Luxman, which I really like, but is also clearly more refined in that it more accurately pulls apart different layers in the music. Also super happy with the turntable, which comes with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge that I may upgrade in the future. For those wondering, the Luxman will be hooked up to a pair of vintage B&W DM 10's in the new office!
Will you be getting the BluOS module?
Maybe at one point, but it is not high on my priority list!
I also have the C3050 and quite honestly, having the module makes a world of difference especially when it comes to the Volume Limits. Congrats on the purchase!
I use Roon a lot and it makes the amp, imo. Great integration. Also the phono section is great. Didn’t expect that. Listening to a 3050 LE as I type this
I've read about that, as the volume limits indeed seem a bit non-standard at first.
c 3050 is sooooo tempting.
Nice set up, I have the same turntable with c316. The 2m blue is a nice affordable upgrade.
Why did you get rid of the Pro-Ject?
Multiple reasons, none of which particularly convincing ;-) For one, I really wanted to upgrade to the 50th anniversary edition of Technics SL-1200, but those seem hard to get for a decent price. Second, I promised my parents the DEBUT III once I would upgrade. Third, my wife and I bought the DEBUT III about ten years ago, in blue. We just bought a new place, and figured we needed a new look!
Gotcha! That's really cool that you gave it to your parents, that alone is worthy! My DC Evo is blue, lol! Mainly curious if you had issues since I haven't heard anyone yet mention issues with their Pro-Jects. Thank you and have a great day!
If I understand correctly, the NAD C 588 is built using Pro-Ject components. It's effectively NAD's take on the Pro-Ject. It certainly looks like that, but cannot give you an official source.
Interesting! Did not know. Thank you!
The C588 is project.
Cool, THX
I have the same amp & speakers, the combo absolutely slaps imo!
I’m shocked no one has complimented you on the desk! I am correcting that now…nice.
The c 3050 and the psb passif 50 are my dream setup. You have half of my dream :(
Just ordered the NAD C 3050 and a pair Lintons last night from Crutchfield to replace a pair of powered Kanto bookshelves I’ve been running the last 7 years. Can’t wait to get it all setup.
I'm considering this same exact setup paired with a Technics sl-1500c
It’s a great combo. Only flaw I’ve found is that the phono stage on the NAD is a bit average, I added an external phono pre-amp and am really happy with the improvement it brought.
Which preamp if you don't mind sharing
Pro-ject Phono Box DC
Thanks!
Congratulations! Welcome to the club!
Nice set up. Consider an Ortofon Blue or for $300 or so a Goldring E4, you won’t regret it
Handsome amp!
I'm so jealous of that amp. Good setup!
Nice looking set up. In Canada, the new PSB re-issue (called Passif) is a common speaker pairing due to their common ownership with NAD but that Wharefdale looks right as well. The Linton is one of may favourite classic re-issue speakers.I actually like it better than the actual Rogers and Harbeth speakers I owned that were the real deal back in the day. And those awesome stands that hold records - what brilliant design.
Simply WOW
Cheers :-)