NAD’s C 390DD (€2500) is the company’s next “Direct Digital” integrated amplifier and takes technology from the more expensive M3 and M2 models. The user will have the choice to add HDMI and phono inputs.
“We wanted to create an individual solution for the customer. Our customers should be able to live a long time with our products.”
The C 390DD should be available by around September.
NAD’s C 446 Digital Media Tuner (€799) utilizes the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) client for playback of music files from a computer, Android or Apple iOS device, or network hard drive. The C 446 also includes an Internet radio portal with support for cloud music services, AM/FM tuner (DAB/DAB+, where available), uses a 24-bit/192kHz DAC, and supports MP3, FLAC, WMA, WAV, and AAC files.
Designed to be the heart of a small and stylish music system, NAD’s smart-looking Viso Three is a 50Wpc CD-receiver with USB input, 30 AM/FM station presets, and iPod dock with remote function and song display.
Octave Audio’s pretty RE 290 power amplifier (€6900) offers 90 or 130Wpc, depending on which power tubes are selected. A rear-panel switch makes the choice simple, and invites tube-swapping.
Here I am, whispering sweet nothings to PSB’s outstanding Alpha B1 ($279/pair)—only moments earlier, I was totally making out with it—one of my very favorite standmounted loudspeakers and our 2007 "Budget Product of the Year".
I’ve owned a pair of these overachievers for several years now, but mine are in a more modest black ash—not quite as sexy as this new high-gloss white finish. (I want it!)
NAD gear really gets around. The stuff was all over the Munich High End Show, which made me feel sort of proud to have NAD’s C 316BEE (review to come in our July issue) in my own system.
Rosemarie was dressed to perfectly match this lovely, simple system: Dynaudio’s small and capable DM2/6 loudspeakers ($800/pair), matched with NAD’s C 565BEE CD player, C 165BEE preamp, and C 245BEE amplifier.
“Just sit right here and look pretty,” I told her.
“What?”
“I said, ‘You look so pretty.’ What did you think I said?”
I haven’t quite figured out the layout of the M.O.C., but I’ve enjoyed the small courtyards which connect the different halls. Here, people take breaks from the action inside, to read, drink, and eat. This particular section has the look and feel of a small beer garden.
Rosemarie walked by, ran her fingers through her thick brown hair, made a joke about “T and A,” and sent this 1000W T+A M10 monoblock (€9990) into a frenzy.
It combines the company’s Power Plant and Music Player to provide 160Wpc (“Full-grown amplification to drive even low impedances....”), while combining a CD player, 32-bit/384kHz Sigma Delta DAC, FM tuner, five digital inputs, three analog inputs, a powerful streaming client board for accessing all sorts of music files, and a bunch of other stuff I wasn’t quick enough to write down.
Badass. I would let this thing receive my music any day.
Measuring approximately 43” x 12” x 15”, the CWT500 (€14,000/pair) is the smallest and prettiest loudspeaker in T+A’s Solitaire line. The transmission-line design uses an 18” x 2” electrostatic unit mated to two side-firing 8” woofers and three 5” midrange units. The speaker is available in several high-gloss finishes, including the luscious Macassar ebony seen here.
Musical Surroundings’ ARCMaster will help you install just about any tonearm in the world. Garth Leerer explained it to me, and, though I didn’t understand a single thing he said, he still somehow managed to make it sound simple.
Munich High End 2011
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