NAD Model 90 amplifier

NAD - New Acoustic Dimension - was born in London in 1972 out of sheer frustration. A group of European audio distributors and enthusiasts, led by Dr. Martin L. Borish (an electrical engineer with a doctorate in physics), grew tired of the direction the audio market was heading. He considered Japanese brands were fighting in a "spec war," battling around watts and other numbers, but loosing focus on the true beauty of sound. He hired the brilliant Norwegian engineer Bjørn-Erik Edvardsen. Together, they focused on what truly mattered: how an amplifier interacts with real-world speakers, rather than how it performs on a test bench under artificial conditions.

Manufactured between 1975 and 1978, the Model 90 was combined Japanese manufacturing precision (assembly in Japan) with NAD's distinct British/European acoustic tuning (design and testing un the UK). The Model 90 delivered a remarkably warm, detailed, and musical sonic signature. It featured a robust power supply capable of handling real-world speaker impedance dips, allowing it to drive demanding speakers effortlessly.

Visually, all the vintage codes are met: brushed aluminum faceplate, tactile toggle switches, dual back-lit VU power meters, and a rich real woodcase.

This glory will fade, at least on the looks side, when from 1978 NAD launched the slim, plastic faced 3020 that made all his fame.

Plugged in and playing, there is not much to say, or… too much

Beautiful lush sound, presence, balance, lots of guts when needed, what you may have heard about this very rare masterpiece is true

Hi-Fi collector, it's time to prepare a spot on your rack…