NAD C-298 Power Amp: $2000 (185×2 or 620w monoblock)
NAD has launched a new power amp with updated technology. NAD’s Hybrid Digital amps have been better than other D designs for a host of reasons, not the least of which is its use of an analog power supply. C-298 is a cut above in that it will use NAD’s new Purifi Eigentakt amp technology.
Purifi is a company in Denmark that has brought on a host of engineering talent to revisit all aspects of amplifier design. Purifi has created a new D module technology it has dubbed “Eigentakt.”
NAD has been licensed to manufacture the Eigentakt modules that Purifi has designed. It is the core
technology of C-298.
NAD augments the Eigentakt modules in C-298 with some of its own schemes to create uniquely linear performance. Eigentakt (means self clocking) modules are self oscillating ANALOG amplifiers.
IM and THD are virtually unmeasurable. The amplifier is comfortable (Eigentakt is impedance invariant) with any impedance so you can drive the speakers of your choice without regard to its impedance curve. C-298 enjoys state of the art performance in regard to clean clipping without ringing distortion. C-298 will maintain its low levels of distortion all the way up to clipping level. Most amps get rickety and go off the rails at that point. NAD claims its Eigentakt implementation will achieve precision and lack typical amplifier artifacts of distortion, whether in midrange grunge or bass overhang/fuzz. Damping factor is high with a rating of 800.
C-298 can be run in stereo (185×2, 8 ohms, 340×2, 4 ohms) or mono = 620w! C-298 runs RCA and XLR inputs. There is an input level control you can use, or bypass.
NAD Eigentakt designs are direct coupled and happy with ANY load you throw the amp. Most amps will scream or wimper if you hit them hard with a tough impedance. If you have a speaker with a large array of drivers, YOU need to consider one of these amps! And of course… the NADs will sound good with modern speakers that don’t have a redorkulous electrical finger print.
NAD C-658 Preamp/DAC/Streamer $1650
The logical preamp to go with C-298 (or most any other power amp) is NAD’s C-658. We’ve sold them for over a year and the performance/reliability have proven to be rock solid.
C-658 has a built in streamer- basically the Bluesound Node 2i. The Node 2i is the industry’s MVP of streaming! It sounds great. It is inexpensive. It works as advertised. This is not a given.
For example, the uber expensive company Gryphon Audio of Denmark makes a $40k CD player. They were working on streamer. The engineering staff threw in the towel saying, we’d need a large staff just to support the streaming platform. It couldn’t be worthwhile for us to do that. Well folks,
NAD-Bluesound has done exactly that. They do have the resources to support the technology. I can
give you a long list of technology based audio companies that are no longer with us. I can also point out companies who offered relatively simple devices like servers- who punted after a handful of years because they couldn’t support you any more. With NAD/Bluesound, you have no such worries.
When you purchase C-658 you have the Node 2i built in. C-658 shakes hands with Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and many other services. C-658 decodes MQA for you Tidal customers! I’m here to tell you, ya want Tidal or Qobuz. The compressed services just don’t cut the mustard. They sound more like FM than CD in quality.
Just run C-658 into the power amp of your choice, single ended or BALANCED, and you’re cookin’! You can add other sources, of course, due to the array of inputs on C-658. But if you just want to stream, just get C-658 and C-298 and you’re set.
It has phono MM and two high level inputs. Its high res DAC has OPT inputs. It streams wirelessly or better yet, via hard wire Ethernet cable. Outputs include preamp level RCA, XLR (yes!) and two RCA sub outs. It’s got Bluetooth so it checks all the boxes you need! In short, C-658 is a very high performing preamp on its own. The fact that it has a marvelous streamer built in AND BALANCED outs… just can’t beat it!
Bryston Mini T Speakers $4075 Per Pair
(22.5h, 10.5w, 10d, 42 lbs)
Finally back in stock is the amazing Bryston Mini T. There is nothing mini about the Mini T.
Never has a speaker been so misnamed. Mini T is a large stand/shelf mount speaker that delivers ginormous sound.
The cabinet is built like a tank- as are all Bryston speakers, the Ts even more so than the As. Front and rear baffles are 1.5” and can stop a locomotive.
Mini T produces bass as powerful as a full sized tower. It is the ideal speaker for the customer that wants major league performance from a stand mount sized speaker. Mini T is at home on a stand or shelving unit. Mini T is a full blown three way in the classic tradition.
Bryston makes a massive, 8” long throw, cast frame, ceramic coated aluminum woofer for this absolute warrior of a speaker. We have installed Mini Ts in huge great rooms and they carry the day without a problem. Mini T uses the same woof, mid and tweeter drivers as its Model T for $9555.
Mini T is a tremendously smooth and revealing speaker. It will reward you for running the best electronics possible- like Bryston for example. Mini T is Steinway smooth and checks the right boxes
for this classical piano player.
Mini T presents an easy 4 ohm load to your amp. If you can run a Bryston amp, great. If not, Mini T will perform well with quite a bit less. We’ve sold Mini Ts in theater configs with Marantz surround receivers and separates. Everybody loves ‘em! They never fail to surprise and thrill our customers with their astonishing power and transparency- from a mid sized enclosure.
Ronnie Wood: Musician/Painter!
Take a look at Ronnie’s painting of his buddy Mick. Ronnie is a man of many talents!