NAD C399 Integrated Amp $2000 (180×2)
(4 3/4h, 17 1/8w, 15 3/8d, 25 lbs)
NAD’s new, dynamite (!) integrated amp has just landed. It features NAD’s cutting edge PowerDrive nCore amplifier technology. It eschews the world of traditional amplifier design which is replete with mismatched output transistors. C399 is more efficient and refined in performance.
C399 is better in that it resolves instrumental character without the ragged edges that come with traditional technology. Mismatched transistors create artifacts that aren’t part of what should be there. We hear them as harsh and unpleasant. C399 is not only smooth, it’s conspicuously MUSCULAR. If you like to drive your music hard, C399 is up to the task and doesn’t sound flustered in the process.
Virtually all competitors rate their amplifier power AT CLIPPING = 1% THD. Yep, competitors rated at 160×2, do so at clipping- that’s 1 full percent of distortion. If they told you the 160 spec was at clipping, you’d say- it’s a bogus spec. We want to know amplifier power at scant levels of THD, not at clipping.
C399 does NOT claim power at clipping (1%). C399 claims its 180×2 rating at .0005%.
Please take a moment to drink that in. C399 has 2000 times less distortion at rated power!
If NAD chose to rate C399 at clipping, LIKE THE OTHER GUYS, it would exceed 250×2. But, that’s not how NAD plays ball. NAD wants to, instead, raise the bar by claiming power at a very low rate of distortion that would be much more meaningful to your actual listening experience.
This is relevant in that it helps explain why NAD amps purvey a sanguine, non fettered sound. I’m not saying that NAD sounds 2000 times better than brand X, despite measuring dramatically better. My point IS to say that the piano/guitar/voice sounds closer to crystal clear because there’s no debris or hash in the equation.
You can check Dave’s Faves for inputs and other features. The point of having C399 here is to put it on your radar to come audition. There is NOTHING better at $2K. And you can bet it won’t stay at this price for long.
Wharfedale Elysian One Speakers $4995 Per Pair
(19 5/16h, 10 3/8w, 12 7/16d, 33 lbs, 4 ohms, 89dB)
Piano Walnut, Piano Black, Piano White
Wharfedale’s stunningly gorgeous Elysian line has been UNavailable for the majority of C19. We’re seeing the dam starting to break now.
I commend Wharfe for making the E-1 a substantial “smallish” speaker. It isn’t a mini. It’s a 7” 2-way with ribbon tweeter. The cabinet is available in a 3 slick flavors, but it is the luscious walnut that even Sonus Faber will envy.
The 7” mid/bass driver is comprised of a coated mix of pulp fiber and fiberglass. It’s full and warm sounding. The ribbon tweeter is conspicuously big at 3.5 x 1.5 inches. It casts a large, mellow image. The choice of a 7” driver makes sense as E-1 has a good bit of gusto. A 5-6” driver just can’t deliver this heft of sound. We always worry about ribbon tweets sounding too bright. Wharfedale has voiced its ribbon to be beautiful, not biting.
Matching Stands $500 Per Pair If Purchased With Speakers, $800 Per Pair Alone
(18 3/4h, 13 3/8w, 11 5/16d with top plate of 10 5/16w and 13 3/8d)
The stands are made of black metal. The plinth on the bottom of the stands is available in matching walnut/black/white finishes.
Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Composer Camille Saint-Saens was a piano and organ prodigy. His day job for decades was as the organist at La Madeleine, the official church of the French Empire. His sight reading skills and musical memory were legendary, even at a young age.
What were you doing at age ten? When he was performing (yes, by age ten!) he would ask the audience to call out any LVB sonata- which he would then play from memory. Did I mention he could do this by age TEN?!