Streaming Integrated Amp (80×2)
{3 3/16h, 8 5/8w, 11 5/8d}
“What’s new?” It’s a question we get every day. There are always new things. Some are consequential. Some are of very niche appeal. NAD’s new C700 is a super star!
In C700 we have a creatively designed product that makes sense for almost everyone.
C700 checks so many valuable boxes that no matter what your hi-fi is right now, you might want to carve out a spot in your house for a C700.
I’m not saying you should replace a big stack of separates or a state of the art integrated with C700. But for almost anything less, it can fill the bill. Let me count the ways.
Most importantly, C700 streams Tidal, Qobuz and other high echelon streaming services. You’re not limited to compressed services. If you have a spot in your home where streaming is the main source of music, please consider C700.
It has a very nice 5” screen to show you cover art. It’s fun! Nothin’ wrong with that.
It has an NAD 80×2 amp on board which sounds very clean and open. Its bass is ample, though not thunderous or sloppy. C700 is an ideal match with far more speakers than you’d expect. It does a fabulous job with fine speakers like Wharfedale Lintons, Denton 85s and the D Series as well.
When I say “fabulous,” I mean it. To do better you will have to invest over a grand more and buy multiple components. That means you would need a Hegel H95 ($2000) and Bluesound Node ($600). For your first string rig, that’s fine. For a secondary music solution you’re going to have a tough time beating all that C700 can give you. The amp provides a large, clear soundstage. It will only be out over its skis with inefficient speakers. I recommend C700 with speakers of 87dB on up.
Yet, C700 isn’t even limited to those speakers because it has a preamp out. You can run C700 into the power amp of your choice (NAD C298 for ex). You maintain all the luscious functionality of C700 while attaining the Niagara Falls power- if you wish.
We have a dem set up in the shop where we can run C700 into a wide variety of speakers. We can quickly show you the improvement a gutsy NAD power amp will yield. It’s an AB comparison that you’ll hear instantly. If you want to plunge for an additional amp because you have speakers and a listening room that will merit it- great. But I’m here to tell ya, C700 performs very well, and you may well be DONE with it driving your speakers!
Let’s take this a notch further. When Naim and some of the higher end guys started with mucho more expensive one box solutions several years ago, I brought some in to try. The Naim actually sounded good. The 50×2 on board amp was solid. BUTTT, the streaming feature hiccuped and drove me CRAZY! We did all the updates. They had all kinds of tricks and treats to try to make
the streamers hold signal. But they DIDN’T WORK! I have even been to customers’ homes who own CURRENT editions of products like the Unity Atom ($3300, 40×2) and they still don’t stream without coughs and sputters. Folks, making the component is just the start. You have to have support staff to keep it running. NAD/Bluesound has proven to be the best at it!
