Hand-made in the UK, CAD’s source components and its unique ‘Ground Controls’ are known for their distinctively analogue sound and velvet black background.

Since launching the CAD 1543 DAC (Best Sound of Show, Clarity Award, Bristol Sound & Vision Show 2013, Best 100 Products HiFi+ 2019), Computer Audio Design has focused on one thing : redefining digital replay.

Their custom-built server (the CAD Audio Transport, or CAT), USB Cables and USB DAC combine to deliver natural, ‘analogue’ sound. Employing today’s technology but reinterpreting rather than re-engineering the paradigm of 16 bit/ 44.1 digital files. No filtering, no over-sampling, no embellishing. Repeatedly winning accolades and awards, these digital source components take you to the emotion at the core of the music, allowing the artists to speak in the silence. For how and why take a look at the CAD website – there is no single design feature; these devices are born out of meticulous research and refinement.

One happy bi-product of the engineering development work is the CAD range of ‘Ground Controls’. These unique noise reduction devices can be used in any analogue or digital system with remarkable results. Passive, low-key and elegant, the GC1 and larger GC3 absorb high frequency noise in the bandwidth from 1MHz to GHz range – so high above our audible range you would think you could not hear the impact on your system. Give these a try. The Ground Controls give you that ‘late night listening’ effect all day long.

Intensity, focus, emotional depth, a unique performance.