NAD joins the network party with its C 446 digital media player
NAD is the latest to join the growing band of hi-fi companies offering a network media player with the arrival of its £695 C 446.
Compatible with Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards, the C 446 can stream music from computers, Android phones, Apple iOS devices and network hard drives.
UPnP Digital Audio Renderer (DAR) technology allows the user to browse music, create playlists and change songs anywhere in the home using a range of network devices.
The C 446 plays MP3, FLAC, WMA, WAV and AAC music files, and is also equipped with AM, FM, DAB, DAB+ tuners, as well as being able to receive internet radio.
NAD says it has paid particular attention to audio quality, fitting 24-bit/192kHz DACs (digital-to-analogue converters) and high-performance analogue audio cricuitry.
Additional features include USB playback, wi-fi, internet radio portal and RS-232 serial port for weasy integration with home automation systems.
You can control or charge your iPod or iPhone by adding the optional IPD 2 dock.
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Comments
'I wonder how good the Dacs are?' Probably just as good as those in streamers at twice the price. I visited a NAD dealer not far from me today as it happens and asked about it - he said 'we don't actually have any NAD in stock, people don't ask for it' (well I did!) - this seems to be the story with several UK dealers unfortunately. I also want to hear the C565 CD player having owned the superb 545 for some time.
interesting in that it adds the radio stations that other music media streamers dont have. I wonder how good the Dacs are?
This looks great and I'm looking forward to trying it, though am mildly (not a lot) disappointed there's no coax or optical digital input. One of the best things about this unit is the text and video NAD have put out explaining exactly how to get it going, something some hifi companies are not terribly good at. I wonder what 'weasy integration' is though.
I could see having this for computer files and streaming, with the upgreaded DAC. As a separate system it would be cool. I have no outboard DAC but my lossless files manage to sound great coming from my Gateway to my big Sansui, somehow!