Integrated amplifiers — NAD CI SA2-120

The CI SA2-120 is a streaming amplifier module from NAD designed for custom installation, where one compact chassis can drive a single powered stereo room or two separate BluOS zones inside a larger distributed audio system. It runs the BluOS operating system, supports more than 20 streaming services plus internet radio, and ships in a black finish.

Key specs that matter

Total amplifier capacity is 240 W of NAD DirectDigital amplification, split either as 2 x 120 W for one zone or 4 x 60 W for two. NAD rates each channel at 60 W into both 8 and 4 ohm, with dynamic power of 150 W into the same loads. THD+N is listed at 0.005 percent and signal to noise ratio at more than 102 dBA. Streaming covers MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, OPUS, FLAC, MQA, ALAC, WAV and AIFF at 16 to 24 bit and up to 192 kHz. The chassis measures 146.5 x 44 x 384 mm, weighs 2.52 kg and draws up to 240 W from the mains.

Engineering and use context

The case occupies one third of a rack width and 1U of height, so several units can share a single shelf in an equipment rack. A thermostatic fan pushes air from front to rear, which allows modules to be stacked. Dynamic Power Management distributes available power automatically between channels according to demand. Networking uses Gigabit Ethernet or built-in dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX HD works in both directions for zone 1. That first zone also gets HDMI eARC, Toslink optical and a 3.5 mm analogue input, so a television, a phone or a local player can feed it without a separate streamer or preamplifier. Speakers connect through two 4-pin snap-on Phoenix connectors with 5.08 mm pitch. A configurable smart trigger input is provided, and the unit is specified for ambient temperatures from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Pairing

Because the rated figure holds into the lower impedance, in-ceiling, in-wall and bookshelf speakers of either common impedance are suitable loads. A single RCA subwoofer output handles a wired powered subwoofer, and NAD also allows a wireless link to the PULSE SUB+. For whole-house control the module integrates with Crestron, Control4, RTI, Nice, URC, Lutron, Gira, Rako, Rithum, Free@Home and Josh.AI, and voice commands are available through Amazon Alexa Skills.

Alternatives

The NAD CI 720 V2 is a BluOS stereo zone amplifier from the same custom installation family, with up to 165 W of dynamic power and a format that lets six units share the RM 720 kit for 6 stereo zones in 3U of rack space.