This is the new C355 integrated amplifier from NAD, which will be launched at the Sound & Vision Show in Bristol in February. The new amp will sell for £400, and delivers 80W per channel, with a peak output of 140W.
The new C355 is based on the Award-winning C352, and includes several refinements taken from the Masters Series M3 amplifier including NAD's Distortion Canceling Circuit in the output stage, and the BEE Clamp in the power supply. Both of these are the work of Bjorn Erik Edvardsen, NAD's Director of Advanced Development.
There's also an improved tone control circuit, with controls only operating at the frequency extremes, and a PCB layout revised to reduce distortion. The C355 uses NAD's PowerDrive circuit layout,designed to allow maximum performance under virtually any circumstance and with any speaker. The circuitry automatically senses a speaker’s impedance characteristics and adjusts its power supply settings for the specific load.
The C355 has seven line inputs, including two tape in/outs, while the front panel has an input for portable MP3 players and a headphone socket.
The preamp section can be disconnected from the power amplifier for easy upgrades, and two sets of preamp outputs allow biamping with a power amp such as NAD's C272, or the connection of a subwoofer.
The C355 will be available from March, and the Sound & Vision show is at the Marriott City Centre, Bristol, on February 22-24. For more details, see the show website.
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