NAD’s amplifier looks like classic hi-fi but receives signals from the future

The word ‘simply’ is completely devalued in Tech Town. ‘Simply’ plug a Chromecast Audio into any amplifier, and then ‘simply’ power the Chromecast Audio using a USB socket. But those two things might just be the two extra little conditions for happiness that drive you off the edge of your melon, leading to a full lounge-audio breakdown and a long period of silence. But, so long as your amplifier budget was already around about the £600 mark, you could just get this Chromecast-integrated NAD C338. Stream music to it from all sorts of apps that support ‘casting. It also has Bluetooth and, of course, conventional analogue and digital connections, including a phono stage for your non-futuristic turntable.      

Fraser Macdonald consulting editor

About

Fraser used to wear a Psion Series 3 palmtop in a shoulder holster. Perhaps he still does.Either way, his lifelong mission - including fourteen years for Stuff - has been to see whether the consumer electronics industry can ever replicate that kind of cyborgian joy.So far: nope. Despite a plan to combine a action camera and Olympus Eye-Trek goggles to become Man Who Sees The Vision Of A Man Three Inches Taller Than Himself.He also likes mountain bikes, motorbikes, cars, helicopters. Still thinks virtual surround is witchcraft. Dislikes jetskis, despite never having been on one.