NAD C700 v2

What’s in a name? NAD describes the C700 v2 as a ‘streaming amplifier’ and, as it contains both an amplifier and a streaming section, this is not inaccurate… but it does rather mask what this device can also be seen as. 

The C700 v2 could fairly be described as an ‘all-in-one’ system and, as a result, would be compared more accurately to other devices labelled as such. For the purposes of this review, the NAD is being considered as an all-in-one.

As the ‘v2’ bit suggests, the C700 v2 is a replacement for the original C700 which looks very similar and, by the by, was extremely good. So good, in fact, that the amplification hasn’t been changed - it is an example of NAD’s UcD Class D amplifier module system that delivers an 80 watt output into both four and eight ohms with 120 watts available for peak delivery. It’s made available to a single set of speaker terminals, and should be up to the job of driving the majority of appropriately priced speakers. 

NAD also hasn’t bothered to change the onboard streaming, because that wasn’t broken either. It uses an example of the company’s BluOS module that supports PCM up to 24/192kHz (while DSD is something you can convert to PCM in the library itself). This is backed up by pretty much every streaming service going (this isn’t hyperbole either - pretty much everything except Apple Music is there) and a genuinely good internet radio implementation. If you plan on having more than one room on the go, the news only gets better as BluOS is one of the best multiroom options going, able to support all but the most palatial of residences. 

So what’s changed, then? What NAD has done is tweak the functionality around the ‘core’ of the C700. Where the original C 700 had a pair of RCA line inputs, the new one makes do with a single example and turns the other into an MM phono stage. As people are still buying turntables with considerable enthusiasm, and NAD’s phono stage is very good, this makes a lot of sense. Rather more forward-looking is that the HDMI ARC connection of the original is has been boosted to eARC - and it comes with support for Dolby Digital. This sounds a trifle pointless until you combine it with a feature going live later this year which will enable the C700 v2 to send information to wireless rear speakers to create a 4.1 setup. 

Another feature slated for the near future is Dirac Room optimisation. If you pay for a license and a microphone, you can tailor the output of the NAD to work more effectively in your living space. This is not something that every owner is going to use - but in more challenging spaces it is likely to make a huge difference to the available performance on offer.  

Sound quality

Given that NAD has changed neither the amplifier nor the streaming section in the C700 v2, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to learn that it doesn’t sound hugely different from the original. Given that the original went to the end of its life sounding very good indeed, though, this is no bad thing. What NAD does with an assurance that eludes many companies is integrate their amplification and digital sections in such a way that it’s very hard to differentiate the impact of the two. To listen to the C700 v2 with a piece of music you know well is to hear a performance that is fundamentally ‘right.’

This means that voices and instruments are detailed and easy to determine in the mix, but never to the point where they are overemphasised. The NAD walks a confident line between energy and refinement that ensures good recordings are flattered and left to show their quality, while less-than-perfect material is still something you can enjoy on its own merits. This is not the most potent or seismic-sounding device at the price, but it’s rhythmically engaging and articulate in a way that makes it a pleasure to listen to over the long term.

Where the C700 v2 does move things on is the performance of the other connections. The phono stage isn’t ‘good for a built-in device on an all-in-one system’ but something that genuinely does justice to a record player of commensurate value. The HDMI eARC connection works seamlessly with TVs, and the same qualities that shine through with music allow dialogue to be clear and easy to follow, and for the soundstage to expand usefully beyond the screen itself. When I first read the information about multichannel support, I questioned who might want such a thing. Now I’m convinced as to its potential. 

Living with 

The v2 retains the same compact shape as the original, and this is no bad thing. The basic proportions are excellent, and the vivid and easy-to-read colour screen helps to make the NAD feel like a premium device. I don’t truly love the trademark grey finish, but the shade is sufficiently dark that I don’t think too many people will worry. Build quality is good, and the controls and overall interface are logical and a pleasure to use. In fact, I prefer the push-to-select rotary control to a touchscreen. 

The NAD abounds with excellent details too. Things such as the two-way Bluetooth (which means your wireless cans or buds will connect seamlessly) is a great idea, and I love the digital VU meters that appear when you select a non-streaming input. About the only refinement I’m less sure about is the addition of an IR remote (which the original C700 didn’t have). It looks nice and it works well enough, but it doesn’t necessarily have the button functions you might expect. I also think that NAD’s implementation of HDMI eARC isn’t as good and self-explanatory as, for instance, Cambridge Audio’s is. 

I forgive all of this for the promise of how the NAD will behave after the extra functionality is added, though. The ability to adjust the output to suit your room by adding the Dirac license means that this is a device that will work in rooms where more conventional rivals struggle. I also think that more than a few people will be tempted by the multichannel functionality as well. 

Conclusion

The C700 v2 takes a concept that was already a great product and bolsters the functionality around it to make the v2 an even more formidable all-rounder. The result is a joy to use and listen to, and offers easy scope to be connected to extra components (or even extra channels) in the future without breaking sweat. 

Listening notes

My Baby Acoustic.Blues.Club

The latest offering from the best band you’ve never heard of allows the NAD to show off its sublime tonality and effortless ability to extract detail without the result being wearying. 

The Courteeners Pink Cactus Café

An absolute riot of an album that showcases the NAD’s effortless grasp of timing and articulation, making the whole album absolutely fly along without losing its emotion and engagement.

Midfield General Generalisation

The vinyl pressing of this album is not ‘audiophile’. It’s nowhere near in fact, but the NAD is able to extract a rich and immersive sound from it and bring this little slice of Big Beat nostalgia to life while it does so. 

If you want an all-in-one system for less than two grand, the C700v2 needs to be on your shortlist. If you have a less-than-perfect room or tricky speaker positioning, it should be right at the top of that shortlist. It’s a brilliantly implemented and enormously flexible product.