[Phil A]

Looks like an interesting device

http://www.twice.com/article/472053-NAD_Ships_Digital_Media_Tuner.php

[Phil A]

here's additional info:


http://nadelectronics.com/products/tuners/C-446-Digital-Media-Tuner

“Beneath the classic NAD chassis of the C 446 lays a uniquely powerful digital media player with Internet radio, FM/AM and DAB/DAB+ (where available). Included in its uncommon bag of tricks is the ability to stream your music collection from multiple networked storage devices using DLNA and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) standards. Other great features include USB playback, Wi-Fi, an easy-to-use Internet radio portal and support for cloud music services”

[eclein]

Phil this unit does look interesting, on board DAC and all, nice find if you follow it keep us informed!

[Phil A]

Would like to see it in person.  At $800 list it is not bad considering all it does:

"The component decodes the MP3, FLAC, WMA, WAV and AAC compressed-music formats."

[wilsynet]

If one is computer savvy, I think you're better off with a PC or Mac.  And if you're on a tight budget, PCs of various shapes and sizes can be had very cheap.

[Phil A]

If one is computer savvy, I think you're better off with a PC or Mac.  And if you're on a tight budget, PCs of various shapes and sizes can be had very cheap.

If you're talking just playing back certain formats, that's fine.  This has a DAC and a connection to the network.  It is intended to be part of an audio system.  Computers can also add noise.  For me personally, a new computer is on the list of things to get but not something I'm getting to directly hook to the audio system.  I currently have a Squeezebox Touch in the main system and an outboard DAC in the main system.

[pansixt]

Phil,

I watched the setup video and it does have some pretty cool capabilities.

I also checked out the one posted Datasheet Review, and I like the NAD comments on
that review.

If you find one locally to view, let me know.

James

[Phil A]

James, imagine it will be a short while until they make it to audio showrooms.  I'll be on the lookout.  I actually wish they had a version without the DAC and a coax digital out (since I have a DAC).  Marantz has a product of a similar nature that came out several months ago (but I think the DAC just does 24/96) and I have not seen that.

[srb]

At $800 list it is not bad considering all it does:

"The component decodes the MP3, FLAC, WMA, WAV and AAC compressed-music formats."

Even at $800 I expect a modern digital media player to play all of the lossless formats at 24/96 resolutions or higher.
 
It doesn't play AIFF or Apple Lossless.
 
For the filetypes it can play, the specifications list the following bitrates:
 
WAV up to 1.536 mbit/s
FLAC up to 1.5 mbit/s
AAC up to 320 kbit/s
MP3 up to 320 kbit/s
WMA up to 320 kbit/s
 
24/96 WAV is 4.608 mbit/s (16/44.1 WAV is 1.411 mbit/s)
24/96 FLAC is ~ 2.701 mbit/s to 2.816 mbit/s depending on compression level
 
Steve