NAD D 3045 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier

It Stands Up Like a Book, and Drives Real Speakers

The D 3045 does not lie flat across a shelf like a conventional amplifier. It stands upright, 70mm wide and 235mm tall, and the display rotates so you can lay it on its side instead. It weighs 3.6kg.

The size is misleading. NAD's HybridDigital platform delivers 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 4 ohms, with IHF dynamic power of 80 watts into 8 ohms, 150 into 4, and 200 into 2. Peak output current exceeds 18 amps.

Every Source You Own, Including the Turntable

A moving-magnet phono stage with RIAA equalization takes a turntable directly. HDMI ARC brings in the television. Optical, coaxial, line, and an asynchronous USB input handle everything else, the last at up to 24-bit/192kHz.

MQA and DSD playback are both supported. Outputs cover speakers, a headphone jack, a pre-out, and a subwoofer output, so the D 3045 can anchor a small system or feed into a larger one later on.

Small Box, Serious Numbers

The measurements do not read like a compact amplifier's. Distortion is below 0.005% at 1 watt into 4 and 8 ohms. Signal-to-noise exceeds 98dB A-weighted, and frequency response holds within 0.3dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.

Damping factor is better than 300, which is what keeps a woofer under control rather than letting it overhang. Channel separation exceeds 75dB at 1kHz. Clipping power exceeds 80 watts into 4 ohms. Standby draw is under half a watt.

The Bluetooth Works in Both Directions

Most amplifiers receive Bluetooth. The D 3045 also transmits, with aptX HD, so you can send the music out to a pair of wireless headphones without unplugging anything or reaching behind the rack.

The phono stage is properly specified too, at under 0.015% distortion at 2 volts out and better than 82dB signal-to-noise. Input sensitivity is rated at 1.35mV. That is a real input rather than a courtesy one.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Chris Eberle reviewed the D 3045 for HomeTheaterHifi.com on December 24, 2018. He called it "a supremely musical amplifier that remains perfectly neutral and accurate," listing "Phenomenally tight and controlled bass" and "Drives large speakers with pleasure" among its strengths.

What Hi-Fi? reviewed it on December 17, 2018 and scored it 4 out of 5. Their pros were "Balanced and detailed," "Capable timing," and "Loads of features and connections," summing it up as an "enjoyable, easy listen."

Eberle named one gap worth knowing: he wanted BluOS streaming built in, which the D 3045 does not have. If you want NAD's streaming platform on board rather than added later, that is the deciding feature.

Who Is This Integrated Amplifier Best For?

• You are short on shelf space — it stands upright at 70mm wide, or lies on its side with the display rotated.
• You play records — the moving-magnet phono stage measures under 0.015% distortion, not a courtesy input.
• You listen late at night — two-way aptX HD Bluetooth sends audio out to wireless headphones, and there is a wired jack too.
• You want room to grow — a pre-out and a subwoofer output are both fitted.
• If you want network streaming built in, the D 3045 has none, which was the one thing its reviewer wished for. The NAD C 3030S adds BluOS with Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, and Roon Ready.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Speakers go to the binding posts and a turntable to the phono input. HDMI ARC takes the television, while optical, coaxial, and line inputs cover your other sources.

A computer connects over asynchronous USB at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Headphones use the front jack, and the subwoofer output is there when you want more low end.

Then you stand it up, and it disappears into the shelf.

Pairs Well With

Building around the D 3045? Here are some good companions:

• Speakers: An efficient standmount pair suits 60 watts — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Turntable: Put the built-in MM phono stage to work — see our Turntables.
• Subwoofer: The dedicated output extends the low end — see our Subwoofers.
• Headphones: Wired or Bluetooth, both are covered — see our Headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does the NAD D 3045 deliver?

60 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 4 ohms, with IHF dynamic power of 80 watts into 8 ohms, 150 into 4 ohms, and 200 into 2 ohms.

Can I stand it upright?

Yes. It is designed to stand vertically or lie on its side, and the display rotates to match whichever position you choose.

Does it have a phono stage?

Yes, a moving-magnet stage with RIAA equalization. Moving-coil cartridges need an outboard stage.

Does it have network streaming?

There is no BluOS or Wi-Fi streaming. Bluetooth with aptX HD is built in, and it works in both directions.

What resolution does the USB input support?

Asynchronous USB up to 24-bit/192kHz, with MQA and DSD playback also supported.

What warranty does it carry?

NAD covers the D 3045 with a 2-year parts and labor warranty.

See It in Action

NAD Electronics walks through the D 3045 and its upright design:

Steve Guttenberg gives the D 3045 a listen and reports back:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about phono stages, USB audio, or compact systems? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.