Building on the success of 2021's C 700, NAD's V2 release enhances it by upgrading the DAC, adding an MM phono stage, and improving its digital decoding capabilities. Furthermore, all you have to do is add some speakers, and you can start playing music.

Lift the lid on the solid aluminium chassis, and you will find that NAD has employed the ESS Sabre ES9028 DAC chip, which promises a “refined listening experience” with greater precision and depth. The ESS DAC works in concert with NAD's HybridDigital UcD amplifier technology, resulting in 80W per channel into 8 ohms.

Naturally, stereo is where it's at. However, the NAD C 700 V2 will also oblige you in 4.1 Dolby Digital Surround if you are suitably armed with BluOS-enabled rear channels and a wired subwoofer. Then, this clever compact contraption ups its game to become part of a home cinema setup as well as delivering two-channel sound.

Vinylistas now benefit from the C 700 V2's MM low-noise phono input married to precise RIAA equalisation as well as a separate stereo line in channel. An HDMI eARC port, optical and coaxial digital inputs, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2 wireless connectivity offer further flexibility.

Whether you stick with stereo, 2.1, or multichannel audio, the C 700 V2 will help you get the most out of it as it also offers Dirac Live room calibration; however, you will need a Dirac Live licence and a calibrated microphone.

Finally, BluOS brings multi-room streaming to 63 zones and access to hi-res streaming services such as Qobuz, TIDAL, and MQA, including internet radio and your locally-stored digital music library. Meanwhile, the HD colour display displays the album art. Siri and Alexa voice control are options, or you can control it using the BluOS Controller app or bundled remote.

The NAD C 700 V2 is available for $1,599 USD from late August.

Visit NAD Electronics for more information