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NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier – The Newcomer in the NAD Classic Series

The ingenious concept of the NAD Masters M10 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier has now been adopted by the Canadian hi-fi manufacturer NAD Electronics in the NAD Classic Series and is presented in the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier.

With the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier, the Canadian hi-fi manufacturer NAD Electronics presents a new stereo integrated amplifier in a particularly compact and elegant form. As the name suggests, it combines an integrated amplifier with a streaming client based on BluOS.

What is particularly interesting here is that the concept is based on one that has proven to be extremely successful in the NAD Masters Series. It is fair to say that the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is the little brother of the NAD Masters M10 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier.

NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier – A Concept of the NAD Masters Series

The exciting thing is that the NAD Masters M10 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is not a typical representative of the NAD Masters Series. For the first time, a stereo integrated amplifier was presented in a particularly compact form factor, which nevertheless combined everything a modern hi-fi system needs as a central interface, including a flexible streaming client.

This is exactly the strategy that is now being pursued with the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier.

NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier – A powerful BluOS streaming integrated amplifier in micro format

The best thing about the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is that you don’t need anything more than this stereo integrated amplifier. Simply connect a pair of speakers and you can call a very fine hi-fi system your own.

The new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier measures no more than 218 mm in width, 266 mm in depth and 96 mm in height, and weighs only 4.8 kg despite its solid aluminium housing. So this solution really does find its place everywhere.

Compact yet powerful

A sophisticated, effective amplifier concept ensures that you don’t have to sacrifice performance and quality. The proven NAD HybridDigital UcD amplifier technology delivers a continuous output of 80 watts to speaker systems with an impedance of 4 or 8 ohms. The impulse power is specified as two times 120 watts into 4 ohms.

This amplifier concept is also said to be characterised by extremely low noise and minimal distortion over the entire frequency band. it can therefore be assumed that especially more compact speaker systems with good efficiency are always under full control and a very appealing sound is achieved.

Streaming via BluOS

How could it be otherwise, of course, when it comes to streaming, the company relies on its own BluOS platform, which is, after all, one of the most flexible, high-quality streaming platforms on the market.

Not only can you play back your own content in hi-res audio, but you can also access a multitude of streaming services directly, be it TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music HD and many, many more, whereby the BluOS Controller Apps are available for Apple iOS, Google Android, Amazon FireOS, Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS for intuitive control.

BluOS also makes it possible to set up a multi-room audio streaming system with up to 63 streaming clients, and these can come from NAD Electronics, Bluesound, Bluesound Professional, Dali Speaker A/S, Monitor Audio Ltd. and Roksan Audio Ltd. as all these brands offer solutions based on BluOS.

The new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is connected to the network via an integrated Ethernet interface.

By the way, the NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier also supports Apple AirPlay 2, so that streaming can also be used via this platform.

Via a USB port, corresponding storage media can be used directly as a source.

Bidirectional Bluetooth Interface

If you want to use smartphones or tablets directly as a source, you can do so via the integrated Bluetooth module, which also supports aptX and aptX HD, among others, so that playback including 24 bit and 48 kHz is guaranteed.

However, since it is a bidirectional Bluetooth module that functions as a so-called transceiver, i.e. it can receive and transmit, it can also be used to directly control Bluetooth headphones.

Foto © NAD Electronics International | NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier
Foto © NAD Electronics International | NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier

Everything there in terms of connections…

Despite its compact dimensions, the rear of the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier has all the relevant connections for classic sources. Two analogue inputs in the form of pairs of cinch sockets are available, as are an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface.

Special mention must also be made of an HDMI interface that, with the support of an eARC, allows direct connection to a TV set, whereby HDMI CEC naturally also ensures central control with the TV’s remote control alone.

The NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier also offers a subwoofer output as well as a pre-amplifier output, and a 12 V trigger connection as well as a connection for an IR repeater are also available.

The speaker systems are connected via solid screw terminals, which are of course also suitable for 4 mm bananas.

Foto © NAD Electronics International | NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier
Foto © NAD Electronics International | NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier

Generous display

On the glass front of the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier, you’ll immediately notice the generously proportioned display, which, with a diagonal screen size of 5 inches, always displays all relevant information clearly and also shows cover artwork. Next to it, there is a rotary encoder and two buttons.

Of course, the scope of delivery also includes a matching infrared remote control, and as befits a solution from NAD Electronics, the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier can of course be flexibly integrated into various control systems, be it Control4, Crestron, ELAN or RTI.

Foto © NAD Electronics International | NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier
Foto © NAD Electronics International | NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier

“The C 700 offers exceptional value for anyone looking for a modern and easy-to-use standalone music system. Since NAD launched the legendary 3020 integrated amplifier in 1978, the NAD brand has been known for quality, performance and innovation. With the C 700 BluOS streaming amplifier, NAD has brought that tradition up to date for the streaming age.”

Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager NAD Electronics

The new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is expected to be in stores in December 2021. The recommended retail price is listed at €1,499.

Getting to the point

It is a very wise move to continue the unique concept established with the NAD Masters M10 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier in the NAD Masters Series into the NAD Classic Series in the form of the new NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier, thus making this fine combination of highly efficient stereo integrated amplifier and BluOS streaming client available to a wide range of customers.

Manufacturer:NAD Electronics International
Distribution Austria:smart audio GmbH
Distribution Germany:Dali Deutschland GmbH
Price:€ 1.499,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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