NAD

This company has recently released several upgraded versions of previous integrated amplifiers such as the C700 V2 at $1599, the C379 at $1099 ($1499 with optional Bluesound streaming installed), and the C389 at $1499 ($1999 with optional Bluesound streaming installed). There are also the new C3050 classic-motif integrated amplifier at $1399 ($1799 with optional Bluesound streaming installed) and two new Master series offerings, the M10 V3 integrated amplifier with built-in Bluesound streaming at $2499 and the M66 Bluesound streaming preamplifier at $5499.

NAD has just released the new C700 V2 Bluesound streaming integrated amplifier. Inside the solid aluminum housing is the HybridDigital UcD amplifier that delivers 80 Watts/channel. The highly-efficient UcD amplifier design is characterized by ultra-low noise and distortion through the entire audio band, regardless of the loudspeaker load. The audiophile-quality DAC in the C700 supports up to 24-bit/192kHz high resolution audio and MQA. With BluOS built in at no extra cost, you can access over 20 streaming music services, listen to hundreds of Internet Radio stations, and easily connect to your own music library. Listen in one or multiple rooms by adding up to 63 additional BluOS players for the ultimate multi-room experience. The V2 version offers numerous improvements over the original model, including an upgraded DAC, a moving magnet phono stage, Dolby Digital decoding, optional Dirac Live room correction, and an included IR remote control. For other key features, please see the original C700 write-up in Volume 24, No. 1 of this newsletter.

The C379 and C389 are very similar except for the higher power output of the C389. The C379 offers 80 Watts/channel while the C389 has 130 Watts/channel, both using the same UcP power stages as the C700 V2. Their digital architecture is built around the same critically acclaimed ESS SABRE® ES9028 DAC used in the Master Series, one of the industry's highest performance 32-bit digital-to-analog converters with unprecedented dynamic range and ultra-low distortion. It provides ultra-high-quality music playback up to 24-bit/192-kHz, free from clock jitter common in digital audio systems. The results are an exceptionally wide dynamic range, ultra-low distortion, accurate sound stage and unparalleled clarity. Since 2006, NAD has led the way in providing users the flexibility to add features as new A/V technologies are introduced to provide unparalleled performance and value. Now, with the second generation of NAD's Modular Design Construction (MDC) technology, both models feature two MDC2 slots for upgrading the amplifiers' capabilities with emerging A/V technologies and additional features, including BluOS high-resolution multi-room streaming, Dirac Live Room Correction, Apple AirPlay 2, Deezer, Idagio, Qobuz, Tidal, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth, and more,. They are well equipped with a variety of analog and digital connectivity options including aptX HD Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, a moving magnet phono stage, and two subwoofer outputs. The aptX HD can easily support 24-bit streaming from any Bluetooth enabled device, while HDMI eARC allows you to connect them to your TV to transfer the TV's sound output to your audio system and provide seamless control from your existing remote. They both also include a built-in high-performance headphone amplifier with low output impedance and high output voltage capability, allowing them to drive a wide range of headphones.

The C3050's design was inspired by the NAD 3030 Stereophonic Amplifier, a 1970s classic. Vintage styling elements include dual illuminated VU meters, push-button controls for source selection, a simulated walnut cabinet, and a dark grey front panel with the original New Acoustic Dimension logo in its 1970s cursive typeface.

However, looks do not tell the whole story. Employing NAD's HybridDigital UcD amplifier technology, the C3050 has a power rating of 100 Watts/channel for effortless reproduction of musical transients. Noise and distortion are virtually unmeasurable through the entire audio band. The result is neutral, inviting sound through any loudspeaker load, even at high listening levels. The digital section employs Texas Instruments' PCM5242 high-resolution differential DAC, a design known for its excellent dynamic performance and immunity to clock jitter. This enables the C 3050 to deliver amazing musicality, stunning clarity, and pinpoint soundstaging from all your digital sources. This unit also features the latest generation of NAD's Modular Design Construction future-proofing technology, MDC2, which lets users add new functions and features by inserting an add-on module into the MDC2 slot on the back panel. MDC2 is an all-new design that enables two-way communications between the expansion module and host component. The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module delivers two highly desirable capabilities: BluOS high-resolution music streaming and Dirac Live room correction . Featuring dual-band Wi-Fi and gigabit ethernet, the MDC2 BluOS-D connects you to almost all the music ever recorded . With the MDC2 BluOS-D installed, the C 3050 can be part of a whole-home music system with as many as 64 zones. You can play different music in each room, each with independent volume control, or play the same music in different rooms simultaneously. Thanks to MDC2's bidirectional architecture, music from any source connected to the C3050 can be streamed to BluOS-enabled components in other rooms. For a fuller description of the Bluesound capabilities and this amplifier's connection options, see the descriptions for the C379 and C389 above.

The M10 V3, successor to the original M10 and the M10 V2, features a solid brushed aluminum chassis, Gorilla Glass top and front panels, and a bright 7-inch touchscreen. With its compact form factor and minimalist design, the M10 V3 blends beautifully into any living space . In addition to the Dirac Live Room Correction capabilities carried over from the V2, the M10 V3 has been upgraded to support Dirac Live Bass Control via an optional license. This license not only unlocks optimization of multiple subwoofers, but also co-optimization of subwoofers and loudspeakers to improve significantly the blend between low and high frequencies and reduce room-based sonic anomalies. The Hybrid Digital amplifier, based on NCore class-D circuitry, is conservatively rated to deliver 100 Watts/channel. The unit's DAC chip has also been upgraded to the ESS Sabre ES9039, which provides even higher dynamic range, lower noise, and more detail than in the V2. The M10 V3 can stream lossless and high-resolution audio through its BlueOS system and has full MQA hardware decoding and rendering capabilities. its new dedicated moving magnet phono preamp assures textbook-accurate RIAA equalization and clean gain, meaning you'll get the most out of your vinyl collection, as well. For a full description of this amplifier's features and connections, please see above.

Not only is the Masters M66 BluOS streaming DAC-preamplifier the most advanced preamplifier NAD has ever offered, it represents an entirely new class of hi-fi separate components. In addition to a plethora of inputs, including moving magnet/moving coil phono and HDMI eARC, the M66 incorporates an audiophile-grade DAC and the BlueOS high-resolution multi-room music streamer. Along with the full-bandwidth version of Dirac Live Room Correction as described above. With its elegant aluminum casework, super-smooth digital volume control, and vibrant 7-inch touchscreen, the M66 exudes class and quality. Visually, sonically, and technologically, it's an ideal match to NAD's award-winning Masters M23 power amplifier. Of course, it can be paired with any high-performance amplifier. Once again, please see above for a fuller description of the BlueOS and connection capabilities.