What HI-FI C352 Integrated Amplifier

What HI-FI?
November 2004

This is a truly outstanding product that oozes far more sophistication than the price implies. Its superlative sound combines finesse and power, poise and precision brilliantly.

Despite NAD’s fabulous record of producing outstanding budget amplification – they’ve got the WHAT HI-FI? SOUND AND VISION stars to prove– we were still startled by just how good this amp is.

The combination of power, dynamics and transparency is better than it has any right to be at this kind of money. It doesn’t matter what you listen to: this NAD will kick hard with Squarepusher’s Come On My Selector, soothe with Jim O’Rourke’s Women of the World and raise goosebumps with the vocal on Townes Van Zadt’s Pancho and Lefty. It matches any of its immediate competitors in terms of refinement, but reserves an enviable touch of steel that rivals simply can’t equal.

Stereo imaging is superb: no rival places sounds with such unerring precision or recreates a soundstage with such convincing depth. If your speakers are up to the task, the C352CT is deeply impressive in this respect – individual instruments are given room to breathe without compression or confusion. The superb detail only serves to emphasise how wide open the soundstage is, exploring intricacies that lesser amplifiers fail to expose. The bass is powerful and the treble textured and true, but it’s the clear, precise midrange and smooth integration of all the elements that are this amp’s most impressive assets.

"This is a truly outstanding product that oozes far more sophistication than the price implies. Its superlative sound combines finesse and power, poise and precision brilliantly."

Adding to the appeal are a sensible provision of features (though not a phono stage), and a well-designed remote control. However, this amp isn’t perfect. While the standard of build is adequate for the price point, the NAD’s casework is a bit flimsy, particularly the back panel, which flexes noticeably when speakers are plugged and unplugged. The controls lack the quality of some rivals, too.

These shortcomings, though, are easily overlooked in light of the performance: the C352CT is outstanding!