NAD D 7050

Sound is fine, but controls/interface is buggy/unreliable. Remote control is useless. Pressing button on remote works maybe 1/20 times. Changed battery (almost impossible to open battery door without scratching or damaging it - worst physical design of remote I've ever seen) & checked IR strength on phone camera, so not due to battery. The on/off button on top of unit is almost as unreliable, & sometimes have to pull power cord or let it time out/sleep to turn off. The app isn't quite as bad, as it connects & works 50% of the time rather than 5%. However, there's delay connecting to network so not convenient for quick adjustments. Fortunately, both rotary controls work (except volume dial is quirky, with occasional delayed reaction/volume jump). The other major problem was volume would occasionally increase by itself. Thankfully amp is low-powered & connected to insensitive speakers, otherwise this would've been a disaster. However, after I updated firmware again (to the same current version) a couple weeks ago, haven't experienced the problem (keeping fingers crossed). I experienced similar UI problems with the D3020, so I blame NAD. Why don't I send this back? It was heavily discounted, & I can't find anything else that has AirPlay, optical, & coax inputs for such a low price, so I put up with the UI hassles for now.

Pros: Most digital connectivity options, including AirPlay, in its price range (AFAIK). Small footprint. 2-yr warranty. No problems with sound quality that I can hear.

Cons: Terrible UI & remote control. Unreliable. Longest latency (via both USB & AirPlay) with iPad when playing video that I've experienced with any DAC, and connection (both USB/AirPlay) is buggy, especially with certain apps (YouTube and DirecTV are especially bad & you need to go through long, convoluted rituals to get any sound, whereas the iOS music app plays almost 100% of the time).

Ive had this for only a day but Im already enjoying it. This suits my office setup in a room that is 15 x 20 feet. I am using a Martin Logan 700w subwoofer and 2 Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000s and this powers that setup wonderfully. I have been utilizing a usb connection to my desktop primarily. The sound is deep and warm from my early listenings. Use of the 3.5mm jack really showcases the DAC in an impressive way. I was very hesitant based on some of the iffy reviews especially regarding the remote. The small form factor enables me to host this on my desk so I wont even bother with the remote (so I cannot report on that at this time). Any gripes or critiques I have is that I have noticed that this unit runs hot rather quickly especially when laid down instead of standing upright. Additionally, I am not a fan of touchscreen style buttons - this unit has no physical buttons so it will simply take some getting used to. Will update if anything less than satisfactory is discovered on this unit. Until then, one can assume I am really enjoying it.

Pros: Small Size, Sound Quality, Simplicity

Cons: Heat, touch screen power button

Plugged it in and attached it my router. That all worked great. But the remote has to be the worst remote I have ever seen. The fuzzy coating is going to clot. The battery compartment opens with a bent paper clip and the finesse of a locksmith. Way to cleaver.

Pros: Airplay

Cons: Remote

Seems like it might be phased out based on current pricing. But the sound quality is excellent. Weighty bass, even power, dead quiet and a "lively" feel to sound (if that's possible). Driving two new ELAC 2 6.2s and puts out great 2 channel sound at a very reasonable price. The interface is where this unit shows its age. The app is quirky and upgrades don't appear to be on NAD's list of priorities. That said, it plays BT off any device, Airplay and it will connect to WiFi. Just be ready for a little "Windows-like" weirdness at times, and a primitive interface. Bottom line: Sound quality at this price is impressive. Digital usability has evolved since this was released, but comes at a higher cost.

Pros: Sound quality Plays digital files from lots of sources/formats Compact size

Cons: User interface Kind of plasticy, but an acceptable trade off for great sound

I'm very happy about the ease of listening to files from my laptop wirelessly. I am concerned about bugginess. The supplied remote control barely works and the mobile phone app remote works inconsistently as well. I'll be calling Crutchfield for help.

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Initially I was quite bummed - it sounded good, but the remote wouldn't work at all, and the app is too clumsy to use as a remote (disconnects often, too many taps to access common tasks, doesn't stay on the screen I last used). I found an old universal remote that would do the common functions, and that made the amp useful. Crutchfield has since sent me a replacement remote, which works fairly well. A firmware update helped the volume control flakiness, but broke the mute function on my universal remote (every other function still works). I like that the display shuts off after a while, though the timeout is unnecessarily long (it's a minute or so, where 5 or 10 seconds would be better). I wish the sample rate was displayed. I wish the remote had more functionality (like directly selecting an input rather than scrolling to the input I need). I wish the remote had visible markings and feelable buttons (the buttons are neither recessed nor raised, so it's hard to know where to press). I do use the high-pass feature of the speaker outputs, which makes this unit almost the only option available. Most of the features that I have tried work well. One minor exception is that the USB input indicates (to ALSA) that its volume can be controlled via USB commands, but the volume out of the amp doesn't change. Other USB DACs either change their volume as expected or indicate that they won't, so ALSA doesn't try to change the volume.

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Just what i was looking for, an integrated receiver that is oriented standing up instead of laying down. Enough power for my KEF LS50s, but i do listen at low to moderate sound levels. Easy set up.

Pros: Compact size, Can stand up instead of laying down. Nice big volume button. clean looks

Cons: None for me.

It disappeares living the music alone. It's fully NAD. Lov'it..

Pros: Pure digital controlled amplifier for music

Cons: None

Does everything I need and is simple to use as long as there is a strong internet connection. I love it!

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I was excited about this amp because of all the technology bundled in. I wanted something I could drive via Blueooth or Wifi (Airplay). It's got a very sleek finish and is generally pretty use. First thing I did was update the firmware based on other reviews I read. After that I got it hooked up and streaming music via Airplay. However I quickly realized that even with the latest firmware the Airplay is pretty unreliable. I could hardly make it 5 minutes before it would cut out and stop streaming. The phone would lose its connection to the amp and it wouldn't allow you to re-establish it until a minute or two later. This all happened with each of the devices in the same room and I have Google Fiber so it's not a network/Internet issue. After going back and forth and trying this a bunch of times I kept getting the same results. I decided to return the amp because that's just too much to pay for something where the feature is not 100% reliable. Bluetooth worked fine but there is a noticeable drop in audio quality versus Airplay, so that's something to consider. If you mainly use Bluetooth then you're much better off just getting the NAD D 3020 anyway. For what it's worth I decided to buy a Sonos amp and go that route and it works great. I'd highly recommend that instead if you want Wifi streaming.

Pros: Lots of connection options Nice finish Good sound

Cons: Airplay doesn't work well

So the headline I wrote for this was "almost perfect" and it's about as apt a description I can give. The features I wanted were: direct iPod control for an iPod connected to the USB-A port (lots of people and the manual say the remote wouldn't work but it does), preamp output so I can use it with my current active speakers, real amped outputs for some as of yet undetermined passive speakers, a quality headphone amp, and wireless capability. This is the core of a desktop/bedroom system so the size was important as well and having the vertical orientation is brilliant. The only misses for me on the D7050 are the fickle touch control power button (turning it on is easy, off is a bit of a chore but the remote is what I use instead), mini headphone jack (would've preferred full size) and lastly the occasionally tempermental volume level. Listening through my current Audioengine speakers and pumping in ALAC files from the iPod, the sound is well balanced and enjoyable. It misses a bit on the low and high frequencies but everything in the middle is well represented but that's probably more of an omission the speakers make than the NAD. Hooking the D7050 to some older Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus towers, the sound was much better than I expected. The amp section didn't sound "stressed" during difficult sections of music and even with only 50 watts available, I was able to drive the speakers pretty loudly in a good sized room. The headphone section is bit better than anticipated.

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Simply an amazing device... Its small, stylish footprint packs an amazing amount of power and clarity and once you add on all of the capabilities and inputs it becomes the PERFECT integrated amplifier for an office, dorm-room, or other space-constrained environment. By simply adding a Chromecast Audio receiver via one of the optical inputs (yes, there is a cable for this!), I can use any device in my house to stream music or podcasts to the NAD 7050, which then automatically switches to the active input and flawlessly amplifies it for my enjoyment.

Pros: * Remote control via mobile device to easy fine adjustments * Automatic switching to the active source * Small footprint * Pleasing design and controls * Line-out for powered subwoofer with a software controlled crossover * More than enough power to drive speakers for great sounding music * A HUGE amount of inputs * Network ready --> Plug-and-play for wired networks, simple setup for wireless * Absolutely ZERO-hiss * High quality DAC for a computer or mobile dock

Cons: * Chromecast not built in (but easily added) * Supplied physical remote is IR instead of Bluetooth (which is built in) * Mobile App could use a make over (yep, stretching to find anything to say bad about a wonderful amp!)

Excellent product. Great sound, especially with my PSB Mini speakers. However connecting the app to the 7050 is brutal. NAD support (both the manual and tech support) was not helpful. Thanks to the Crutchfield support team I was able to get it to work.

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Purchased to replace a Technics stereo amp. This NAD was an easy hookup for the wired devices like the speakers(two Bose bookshelf) and a Logitech Squeezebox. My iPod Touch connected flawlessly and we've had great music. But the best occurred when I finally had time to give it a test run with "Kashmir" very loud. Heard some great new things from the remastered version. Perfect for me.

Pros: easy setup, good Bluetooth functioning, can't wait to get the Bose Comfort 35 headphones to try with the NAD, good clear sound.

Cons: That Nakamichi cassette tape recorder doesn't work with it...Tapes aren't digital.

We engineers have a saying. "Sometimes good enough is good enough." And that is the way I went into this new world of digital audio with the NAD 7050. First off, let me pay five star compliments to the class act that is Crutchfield and all the little things that they do to make buying from them such a pleasure. Shipment information, follow-ups, thank you cards. These little things are so appreciated. And so, I received the NAD 7050. Packaging and shipment from Crutchfield were excellent. I opened it and let it remain unistalled for the month while I was in Mexico, returning today to get things goings. I downloaded the latest NAD manual and went sentence by sentence with the set up instructions, first connecting an optical cable to my Oppo CD/DVD, then connecting the speaker wires and the power cable. After all was connected I powered on the unit and played a CD, selecting the Optical 1 option for playback. And sound came out. The sound is good enough. But very clean. And there is no noise at any volume. I do like the volume control a lot. Next came the challenge of setting it up with my wi-fi. It took a few times of pressing the WPS button on the back of the unit and on my router. After about four tries, the flashing bar light finally went solid and I got my connection. This unit was a compromise to my family as we wanted to downsize a bit. But I am already missing the sound of my NAD preamp/amp unit.

Pros: It is a compact unit and allows me to play music via bluetooth from my iPad or other devices. I have an optical connection for my cd's. Sound is good enough. Very clean. I will probably get used to it, but as of today, I am already missing the sound of my NAD preamp and power amp.

Cons: At any rate, I still haven't been able to figure out how to stream from my computer or from Spotify. I can use the Optical 1 option successfully as well as Bluetooth. But am still scratching my head on how to do Spotify or streaming, etc. Will need to do further research. I do miss not having a bass and treble control to adjust for the frequencies I have lost in my hearing over the lifetime.

Crutchfield response on 11/14/2016 Whenever you need help with anything you purchase from Crutchfield, please contact our tech support team right away. Lifetime tech support comes with every Crutchfield purchase.

Very compact with intuitive controls. Relatively lower rated power but plays big speakers very well. Set up is easy, except for connection to Wifi network (which I have not yet succeeded in). All the inputs must be digital, so if you have an analog input, such as from a record player, it must go thru a analog to digital converter (a cheap accessory). Overall highly recommended for digital music fans with limited shelf space.

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Nice piece of equipment, easy to set up an use. Could use more power to drive my Polk Audio towers though. Also would like to have balance adjustment feature and audio adjustment.

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Easy to install, and arrived on time.

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In my set-up, the NAD D7050 is in between a Bluesound Node 2 and stand-mounted speakers. When it comes to sound quality, this deserves all the praise it's gotten, leaves nothing to be desired. I like the feel and response of the large volume control. I strongly dislike the source selector knob because I cannot tell by touch what source is selected. The display is legible; however, I wish the display wasn't essential. As a person who is nearly blind, I much prefer designs that convey their state physically through their controls. The power "touch" button is nearly useless, often doesn't respond. The software look-and-feel is disjoint from the unit's physical interface, causing a strange mental disconnect between the two, so most of the time I use the remote instead of the app or reach for the volume knob. The unit itself makes a weak hashy noise, perhaps from its power supply, that I wish wasn't there in my quiet listening room.

Pros: - Amazing sound quality - Compact size - Unobtrusive looks - Large volume knob - Readable display

Cons: - Software as an afterthought - Noise from the box (not from the outputs) - Unfriendly to someone with a visual impairment - No L/R balance control

NAD 7050 - A Freakin Banana Split! The 3020 is like my favorite vanilla ice cream. Nice natural flavor, good texture, not a lot of guar gum to thicken into that fake texture of most new ice creams. It just tastes real good. The 7050 is like adding hot fudge that warms and sweetens everything with richer flavor. Then nuts for more texture. Bananas for increasing bottom end. Whipped cream smoothes everything out. Cherries add the highlights on the top end. Increase of tonality and presence of bass is apparent. Paul's bass on "Something" sounds more real, Ringos bass drum is more than just a bump and a thump. The 3020 needed a sub to bring bass instruments more fully into the picture. The upright bass on "All Purpose Beginning" Julian Lage, was all there with the clicks and clacks that you want to hear of fingers on strings and fret. I have been listening to Garth Hudson (The Band) make a Hammond B3 growl and scream on "Chest Fever" for about 45 years. I heard tones I have never heard that were like a bit of reverb overhang that always, before now, sounded like lukewarm oatmeal mush. Most everybody says to spend the majority of your money on speakers but, if you can afford this amp, which can make a $350 pair sound like 3 or 4 times that (and subwoofer isn't a necessity) you might wanna think seriously about this one. It'll be around for your speaker upgrade. It's like moving up to a Banana Split!

Pros: Rich, real tone from high to low Beautiful separation Handsome, solid ergonomic package Remote can be read in low light All the right inputs for the day

Cons: No phono amp (but this was built for the digital age)

A great amplifier for a straightforward stereo system with exclusively digital sources. Plenty of connectivity for CD, DVD, video game machine, computer, etc. as well as Bluetooth and Airplay. Convenient app allows phone or ipad to function as remote. Great sound with my B&W Nautilus speakers.

Pros: Plenty of connectivity. Easy to control via phone. Great sound.

Cons: Digital sources only.

The amp works wonderfully through Airplay, Bluetooth and dock. The set up to connect to the wireless was really tedious, directions were clear enough but did not work until I placed the amp in the same room as the wireless minus the speaker wire and speakers so I could move it. Then it worked fine and once they communicated the first time works anywhere in the house. NAD is kind of useless for communication and Crutchfield tech support was sympathetic but relied on the same poorly written instructions that I was reading. So in this case tech support from crutchfield was more like empathy counseling....but anyways I figured it out. I love the sound and the convenience of listening to beautiful music sent from the laptop

Pros: Airplay, Bluetooth convenience

Cons: Lack of any ability to adjust tonally unless you buy PBS speakers which I would have but Crutchfield didn't advise them, either because they didn't know, don't like them or don't make enough money selling them. If you ask two different advisors for advice on speakers to go with a given amp, you'll get 2 different choices, so I am not sure what process they are using to suggest compatibility. I would imagine its either very subjective or based on some commission?

This review will be short. I love this product. The sound delights me. The silence, lack of hiss, it is capable of still surprises me, even when I'm blasting the volume. I have more than enough power for my NHT speakers. Having all my music available through Airplay, accessible via my computer, my iPhone, or my iPad is so beautifully practical.

Pros: Sound, sound, sound. The entire digital experience. The sleek look, and small size. The headphone sound, too. The look of astonishment when I play music for my friends, or they play their own music from their iPhones.

Cons: Connection to Airplay was very easy once I understood it (BUT it took me longer to figure out the easy way to do it than it should have). The app is not as functional as it could be (I'd love to have a built in equalizer on the app, for instance).

I purchased this product after being unsatisfied with a competing product. I use this product connected to a PC, and I sit within a couple meters of my speakers. Specifically, the competing product produced an audible hiss, that drove me crazy if music wasn't playing. This NAD device has practically zero background hiss. I can put my ears right up to the speakers and hear nothing but silence coming out of the tweeters. This alone makes the product a winner for my application. The sound quality is excellent. I'm definitely happy with this product.

Pros: Dead silent background

Cons: Device firmware could use some work

Very compact design, the unit maintains NAD's name for quality and performance. A very high quality build, quality connectors, cabinet display nice product presentation in a faux velvet bag. I had to replace a dead external DAC and looked to NAD for this. In the end I decided on the 7050. This is used in an USB Windows 7 PC setup. The only connection to the 7050 is via USB from the PC. I play mostly full wav or 24 bit audio. The sound is massive and full with more power than I really need with it on the desk. The sound is very full and rich, a large sound with the unit barely getting warm. This is used as a work space home office set up, paired with 'PSB Imagine Mini's', for which the 7050 has built in 'Perfect Pitch 'sound fields for. The difference in sound with perfect pitch enabled is striking. Well worth the price of the speakers. The system is paired with a Yamaha 50w active servo sub and sounds complete and full in the office space and can easily fill half the house with sound! On the other hand the software, APP and web enablement of the unit truly need some thinking out. The unit is attached USB to a Windows 7 PC as its sound output device. There is no way to control it from Windows. You cannot web to the device and control it like the APP on iPhone or Android. A pain if you are not close to the device, as you can adjust the volume on the 7050. A way around this is to download the Android app and run it within Windows (bluestacks). Otherwise, awesome!

Pros: Excellent sound Perfect Pitch is striking when using the ' PSB Minis' Small package, large sound, energy friendly and simple. Best sounding DAC for the price

Cons: Software needs ironing out APP is the only way to adjust volume, other than on the unit USB and DAC and Windows volume are a known issue, why not create a small chrome app to make adjust volume? Network setup is difficult with the limited web front end and lack of exposed parameters

I haven't updated my 2 channel equipment in quite a long time. I was using some old Kenwood gear that I bought back in 1988 and some Polk Audio Monitor 50s and 30s. I've been doing my research and upgraded my speaker to some Philharmonic Audio Monitors. Fantastic speakers I must say. Ribbon tweets sound amazing. I decided to upgrade my components as well. I wanted a quality "all in one" integrated amp and DAC. I checked out the NuForce and Creek Evo 50 but decided to give the NAD D7050 a try. So glad I did. The sound is so clear, detailed and surprisingly powerful. I can't hear a bit of hiss or noice when I crank up the volume. Connections to my Samsung tablet, phone, iTouch and iPod via wi-fi and AirPlay was quick and easy. The NAD D7050 app allows you to fine tune your speakers and set your subwoofer cross-over. When people say they hear a night and day difference, I take it with a grain of salt. We'll I hate to say it, but it is night and day! My music has come to life. The first CD I played was Dire Staits, Brothers at Arms. I used the 7050 as the DAC. Track 6, Ride Across the River sounded so much more articulate and refined. I could hear details in the track I had never noticed before. Aja by Steely Dan was another CD I popped in. Same result, amazing sound. Bass was tight and controlled. 4 CDs later, it was 3am. Had to drag myself away. Build quality is great. I like the rubber control knobs and rubberized finish. Super Buy! Get it !

Pros: Superb sound quality and control. Dead silent background. Great build quality and rear panel layout. Smart phone and tablet friendly. Plenty connections including sub out. Perfect all-in-one device. I like the smaller size than traditional equipment. Remote is rubberized as well.

Cons: None that I can find.

First off, don't let 50 watts fool you--driving a high end set of B&W's effortlessly, feels closer to 100. Sound is pristine, amazing features and very easy to setup. If you want high end sound from apple devices, or other digital sources this is your product. I tried 3 other receivers before settling in on this (with help from Crutchfield) and it is nothing short of amazing

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