For the past 40 years, EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) has been presenting awards for innovative hi-fi products. To win an EISA award, select products undergo a robust, rigorous, and exhaustive judging process in two stages. After testing and auditioning by EISA member magazines, each journalist submits a shortlist of what they think are the best products in each category. At EISA’s annual General Meeting, the winning products are determined.
For 2023, two of the products that have been honored are the Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE Music Streaming Amplifier and NAD Classic C 3050 Integrated Amplifier.
Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE
Bluesound, makers of hi-fidelity multi-room streamers and speakers, announced that the POWERNODE EDGE, a compact wireless music streaming amplifier received the EISA 2023-2024 compact streaming amplifier award.
EISA Editors noted Bluesound‘s POWERNODE EDGE has a compact and sleek form factor, installation versatility, wide-ranging functionality, and great sound.
From the Official Statement of the EISA Board: “Thanks to its impressively sleek, wall-mountable chassis, the POWERNODE EDGE can be installed practically anywhere, and the compact form factor is complemented by wide-ranging functionality. Controlled via Bluesound’s intuitive BluOS app, this sleek ‘just add speakers’ amplifier can access streaming services, Internet radio, and music files from a network or USB storage, while connections including HDMI eARC and two-way Bluetooth add even more to its versatility. Its sound, delivered by onboard amplifications and with hi-res audio support, packs a punch.” They go on to conclude, “Use the POWERNODE EDGE as a discrete amp in a standalone set-up or combine with other BluOS devices to form a multi-room music system.”
From Matt Simmonds, Bluesound’s Product Manager: “The POWERNODE EDGE is the perfect segue into ‘just add speakers’ HiFi for streaming.” He goes on to say, “We created an audiophile-grade componentry with wireless multi-room capabilities and smartphone controls. These controls come together to make this amp an excellent entry point to start, extend, or even complete an audio system of any size.”
Features
- Amplifier Type: DirectDigital
- Power Output: 40 watts x 2 Into 8 Ohms
- Processor: Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex A53
- Multiroom Audio: BluOS Wireless Multi-Room Music Capability
- Streaming: MQA Music And Hi-Res Audio Streaming, Two-Way aptX HD Bluetooth, Airplay 2 is also included
- Audio Inputs: HDMI eARC, Optical & Analog Audio
- Outputs: Wireless Headphone Output, Wired & Wireless Subwoofer Output, L/R Channel Speaker Terminals
- Internet Connectivity: Dual-Band Wi-Fi + Gigabit Ethernet
- Control: Front Panel Touch Controls, App Control with Adjustable Audio Settings, IR Remote with Learning Capability
- Voice Control: Works With Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri
- Finish: Black Or White
Learn more: Bluesound POWERNODE Edge Takes Control Of Your Desktop For Less
Availability and Pricing
The Bluesound POWERNODE Edge is available now for $649 at Amazon (USD) or $849 at Amazon.ca (CAD).
NAD Classic C 3050 Integrated Amplifier
In addition to the Bluesound Powernode Edge, NAD Electronics was also honored by EISA this year in the Integrated Amplifier category for its Classic C 3050.
EISA editors of hi-fi audio publications noted the NAD C 3050’s future-proofing technology, spectacular sound quality, superior streaming options, and multi-room capability – all within a retro-inspired amplifier.
From the 2023-2024 EISA Awards Board: “From the outside, the C 3050 pays homage to NAD’s earliest designs with its faithfully executed vintage styling, but in all other respects this is a thoroughly modern integrated amp with a do-it-all ethos”, The statement goes on to say, “Plug in NAD’s optional BluOS-D card and the functionality grows to include superior streaming options (including app control and multi-room capability), plus Dirac room calibration. And while the forward-thinking technology delivered impressive sound quality, you can feast your eyes on the C 3050’s large VU meters. What’s that about having your cake and eating it?”
From Cas Oostvogel, NAD’s Product Manager: “50 years of history and innovation truly meets the future of hi-fi through our C 3050 amplifier. The vintage-inspired walnut finish, dual VU meters, and push-button input selectors bring back old-school components that music lovers once loved, while also bringing them back to when they first discovered great-sounding audio…The C 3050 delivers incredible sound capabilities, and thanks to NAD’s MDC2 future-proofing technology, C 3050 owners can continue to add new leading-edge capabilities like BluOS’s high-resolution multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction all within our amplifier5.”
Features
- Cabinet: Walnut-finished vinyl-clad cabinet, with dark grey front panel, front-panel VU meters, push-button input controls, and 1970s cursive branding.
- Continuous Power Output: 100 Watts per channel into 8/4 ohms
- Instantaneous Power Output: 135 Watts per channel
- Expansion Module: This allows the addition of BluOS high-resolution multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live room correction. The module requires additional an extra purchase.
- Tip: 500Hz limited version of Dirac Live with optional module. A full bandwidth license can be purchased from Dirac.com
- DAC: High-performance TI PCM5242 differential DAC
- Phono Input: Ultra-low noise MM phono stage with infrasonic filtering circuitry
- Digital Audio Inputs: One optical, one coaxial digital input
- Analog Audio Inputs: One set of line-level analog inputs with low-noise buffer amplifiers
- Audio Outputs: Analog Pre-amp out/Main-in connections
- HDMI: HDMI-eARC input included
- Speaker Connections: A/B speaker terminals
- Subwoofer Output: Allows connection of an externally powered subwoofer.
- Headphone Output: Dedicated headphone amplifier with front-mounted ¼-inch front panel headphone connection.
- Remote Control: IR remote control included
- CI Control: 12V Trigger out, IR in
Learn more: NAD’s C 3050 Integrated Amplifier Goes Back To The Future
Pricing and Availability
The NAD C 3050 is available for $1,399 at Crutchfield and CAD $1,899 at authorized NAD dealers.
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