News

NAD Introduces New C355 High-Performance Stereo Integrated Amplifier (31/1/2008)

C355 Amp Blends PowerDrive and Soft Clipping Circuits, Low Distortion, Low Noise and Dynamic Power for Exceptional, Affordable Listening

NAD has announced details of its new C355 Stereo Integrated Amplifier, the latest in NADâs family of very high performance yet affordable components.

The C355 builds on the strengths of NADâs highly acclaimed C352 Stereo Integrated Amplifier, which, among other honours, was named 2004 Amplifier of the Year by What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, and on several refinements taken directly from NADâs acclaimed Masters Series M3 Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier. These include application of the patented Distortion Cancelling Circuit in the C355âs output stage, and the BEE Clamp in the power supply, two innovations by Bjorn Erik Edvardsen, NADâs Director of Advanced Development. The C355 also includes an improved tone control circuit and a PCB layout revised to reduce distortion and noise to unprecedented levels.

The C355 delivers 80 watts of continuous power, conservatively rated and, more important for music listening, an impressive 140 watts into 8 ohms of dynamic power at 0.03 percent distortion (and 0.0005 percent distortion at 80 percent power), levels comparable to the best available for the C355âs class of products.

The C355 includes NADâs proprietary PowerDriveú circuit topology, which allows maximum performance under virtually any circumstance and with any speaker. The circuitry automatically senses a speakerâs impedance characteristics and adjusts its power supply settings for the specific load. PowerDrive enables the C355 to deal easily with musical dynamics and difficult speaker loads, providing high dynamic power and low impedance drive capability in an affordable package.

The C355 also includes tone controls that only work at the frequency extremes leaving the critical mid-band essentially unaltered. While tone controls are often now omitted, they can be very useful in improving overall sound provided they are properly designed as they have been for the C355. The tone controls can be completely bypassed using the tone defeat switch.

The C355 incorporates NADâs switchable Soft Clippingú circuit, which significantly reduces the risk of speaker damage due to prolonged high-power operation. Additional features include a front-panel input for portable MP3 players, a front-panel headphone jack, a generously sized Holmgren toroidal power transformer, fully discrete circuitry, and a detachable IEC power cable.

The C355 has seven line inputs, including two tape inputs and outputs with dubbing capability; and a pre-amplifier section that can be separated from the power amplifier for easy upgrades, or for adding additional equipment to meet future system needs. Also available are two pre-amp outputs, allowing bi-amping ÷ the use of separate power amplifiers to drive the bass and treble sections of a speaker. For example, an extra amplifier, such as NADâs C272 Stereo Power Amplifier, which has the same gain as the C355, can be easily connected to the second pre-amp output. The output can also be used to connect a powered subwoofer.

The C355 integrates well with other components and controls. It is equipped with a 12V-trigger system for remote on/off switching, an IR input, and output on the rear panel, and an RS-232 port to let it interface with advanced home automation systems, such as those by AMX and Crestron ÷ with whom NAD is a Certified Partner, guaranteeing system compatibility.

The C355 comes supplied with NADâs SR 6 Full-System remote control, an ergonomically designed model with large buttons that are differentiated by shape and position to make operation intuitive and enjoyable. The SR 6 also operates many other NAD products, including CD players, and tuners.

Finish is in a choice of NAD Graphite or Titanium.

The NAD C355 Stereo Integrated Amplifier is expected to be available from specialist NAD retailers in March 2008 at a suggested recommended retail price of £400.00. It can be seen with other outstanding NAD products in NADâs Suite at the Bristol Sound and Vision Show from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th February.

www.nadelectronics.com
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