NAD C356BEE Amplifier
Possibly more than some other brand in this evaluation, NAD is focused on affordable integrated amplifiers that deliver top-notch performance for practical outlay, dating all the way back to the 3020. The company has n't forgotten its roots and the C356BEE DAC is lots of amp for the cash while it has been exploring a few of the more exciting ends of the purchase price spectrum with some recent designs.
The versatile design with eight line level inputs is not unavailable as a typical amp but this one comes fitted included in NAD's Modular Design Theory (MDC) with an electronic input board. Examining the digital inputs falls outside the strict remit of the review, but a quick trial run of the asynchronous USB input indicates that this is actually the best performing digital input signal of any in the evaluation and makes the amp a little bargain for anyone with a computer as a source. A phono period is also available, as it's still possible to use one of its external phono stages along with the digital module although NAD isn't heartless enough to make you pick between the two.
The NAD isn't the most amazing amp, finished in the field gray that is customary, but it can feel well assembled and well thought out. The controls are easy and reasonable to work with with LEDs that are little to reveal source and speaker selection and from your tone controls that are somewhat fiddly, it is pleasant enough to interact with. The remote is a little fussy, but does feature backlighting that's convenient for anyone who does their listening.
Sound quality
The NAD reveals some distinctive traits in the off with the evaluation substance and many of these are likeable. Even after very careful level matching on all six amps, the C356BEE DAC seems bigger in relation to the other offerings. The vocals in the Muse record and the piano in the Neil Cowley piece take a quality that is slightly larger than life on and the soundstage seems to expand a bit further outside the speaker compared to the other amps. This indicates that some of the delicacy of the Neil Cowley piece is lost and several of the notes that are higher have a fractional harshness, yet this really is relatively modest.
With all the more aggressive and uptempo parts of the evaluation stuff, the news continues to be largely favorable. The NAD has a usefully civilising influence on the Scratch Gigantic track, but doesn't around smooth it or lose the drive and assault that it needs to stay convincing.
The region that holds the NAD back using the pieces that are faster is the bass, which is deep and strong, but does find itself lacking some of the fine detail that the identical substance can be managed using by the best in evaluation. There is plenty but the impression is not slightly atonal than that of multiple notes. For those who have a somewhat thin-sounding system , however, the weight is not unlikely to be useful in alleviating this.
The C356BEE DAC is a remarkable proposition for the asking price particularly if you can make use of the USB input and there is a lot to enjoy about the powerful and dynamic sound that it creates. The slightly oversize demonstration and desires attentive partnering to get the best out of it and bass that is somewhat exuberant must be taken into account.
