The C 545BEE replaces NAD’s venerable C 542. With the worldwide acclaim and numerous awards for outstanding performance and value, it is fair to ask why NAD would “mess with success”. But NAD has never rested on its laurels; rather development is ongoing at the NAD Lab and new models are launched when we feel a significant improvement has been achieved. Such is the case with the C 545BEE. Besides the new more refined cosmetics, the circuit layout and component choices have been extensively updated. The cumulative effect of these changes is dramatic, improving low frequency slam and extension, while maintaining the pace and timing for which the C 542 was so lavishly praised. Image depth and scale are further enhanced while retaining the timbral accuracy and lucid harmonic structure of its predecessor.