Almost every audiophile has heard of NAD and respects its price/performance ratio as among the best in our industry. Do you know the back story?
NAD began in 1972 in the UK. The design brief specified excellent sound quality and value in equal doses. At that time the market featured high end brands that were virtually unattainable vs main stream brands that chose price over quality.
NAD was that maverick company that turned budget audio into a roaring international success!
Bjorn Erik Edvardsen was NAD’s quiet, genius engineer. BEE was confident he could create the best affordable amp on the market by paying attention to engineering choices instead of gingerbread.
The first home run for NAD was the iconic 3020 integrated amp, which slayed the competition and came in at under $200 in the late 70s. NAD has introduced Soft Clipping, Power Envelope, Hybrid Digital and DirectDigital (among many technologies) to the hi-fi business.
There were other home runs for NAD. The 6100 cassette deck turned the market on its ear as it was the first to incorporate Dolby C, which finally silenced tape hiss. The NAD 5200 CD player was legitimately the first premium echelon CD player at a budget price point. NAD introduced its modular construction platform to allow future upgrades.
Ultimately NAD went upstream and created its Master Series. The new M-33 at $6k is among the most innovative and exciting integrated amps in the world!
Today, NAD is Canadian based. The team is led by BEE’s associates who were handed the reins after his death. NAD has its own staff of brain power but is also proud to collaborate with engineering firms, like Purify, who can enhance its work. At almost 50 years old NAD is still at the top of its game in providing us with uniquely fine products at remarkably fair prices.
