Caruso R

Multi Source Receiver

The Caruso R

It was back in the year 2008 that T+A introduced the first Caruso, and within a very short time the device won numerous prizes, gaining absolute cult status due to its unique overall design. In 2020 a new generation of the Caruso appeared, and this constituted the greatest advance yet in the history of these devices: the new version represented a completely new development - both externally and in technical terms. Although its heritage remains clear, the new Caruso epitomised the transformation of the machine from an all-in-one device to a series of individual products.

The Caruso R continues the theme of the Caruso in a logical manner, and this is the key to its pleasantly familiar look. The T+A Aluminium Framework provides great precision and physical strength, while its external dimensions hark back to the first Caruso of 2008. The new 7” HD screen effectively extends the Caruso R, and gives it a look of restrained elegance even without loudspeakers.

7 Inch Touchscreen

The Caruso R’s command centre is the T+A NavigatorOS: a 7” touch-screen combines all elements of the control system, and is capable of displaying cover art directly on the machine itself. The thinking behind the system architecture of NavigatorOS was the requirement to minimise the number of individual operations. The Settings menu unites all the machine’s settings, from screen brightness to tone controls for bass, mid-range, treble and loudness. An additional Playscreen is available, which succeeds in visualising and informing at the same time: metadata have never been displayed in such fine form as here. In addition to touch-screen control the Caruso R can be operated using the T+A CarusoNavigator app or the FM Caruso remote control handset, which is supplied as standard.
The slot for the modern CD disc mechanism is located above the touch-panel. It analyses the disc’s TOC data, which are then passed to Gracenote; the Playscreen can then display cover art and metadata for many CDs.

Connections

The connection area on the back panel is an impressive reflection of the Caruso R’s versatile nature. From the first day of its development programme the Caruso R was intended to be the centrepiece of a versatile, high-quality Hi-Fi system. One key feature of this was the requirement for a wide-ranging array of sources, as sources should not represent a restriction: analogue and digital inputs cover every conceivable need from turntable with phono pre-amplifier to TVs and set-top boxes. USB inputs cater for mobile and network sources, while LAN, WLAN and Bluetooth sockets are also available, their signals converted by the SC 100 - the T+A streaming client. The Caruso is our first product to exploit SC 100, which provides access to services such as Gracenote Music ID, Airable Music Services, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay and Amazon Music via Alexa. The capabilities of the Internet are no longer just used – they are raised to a new level.

Tuner, Amplifier

REVIEW & AWARDS

T+A Caruso R multisource receiver - Read More

"Many tech-driven, high-end audio manufacturers offer single-box audio solutions. There's competition from makers like NAD, Devialet (though without the disc player), Naim, and others. The Caruso R is not the least expensive contender, but its sound quality rises above the "lifestyle" clic/stigma.

It's encouraging for the future of the hobby that even the most tech-driven manufacturers are making products geared toward a wider range of music-loving customers." - Julie Mullins

T+A Caruso R All in One System Review - Read More

"The Caruso R sits neatly in a category of product that we encounter from time to time at AVForums, although it might be the first time that it has occurred with an all in one. This is a product that appeals far more when you start using it than the on paper specifications might suggest. No, it can’t handle 384kHz PCM or DSD but, are these really the bulk of your listening material? The shape is a bit odd too but not insurmountably so. I’d really like to be able to turn the green light off too but, if I owned it, five minutes and a roll of insulation tape would be be a satisfactory plan B. Where the NAD M33 offers on paper greatness but sometimes struggled to turn that into genuine real world promise, the Caruso R is something where the moment you give it a chance, it starts to make more and more sense. This is possibly not quite a good enough product to topple the Uniti Star but it comes unexpectedly close to doing so and for that reason comes Highly Recommended." - Ed Selley

T+A Caruso R all-in-one system - Read More

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the T+A Caruso R in the place of the Naim Uniti Star and as an everyday quality bit of living space kit, it is spot on in terms of usability, reliability, and a good sound. The addition of Alexa to our household has been hilarious. If you do need a bit of quality at any moment the T+A Caruso R has the capability, poise, and power to deliver a dominant performance with the precision you require with a decent stable App to control it all with." - Simon Wilce

T+A Caruso Range Gains Speakers and Compact All-in-One Amplifier - Read More

"The Caruso R closes a gap in our Lifestyle line-up by addressing customers who are looking for a classic stereo system with the added benefits of the modern user interface and connectivity of the Caruso Multi-Source-System" - JAY GARRETT

T+A Caruso R All-In-One Player/DAC/Amp - Read More

"The Caruso R may have no shortage of competition, but there's much to like about the sound on offer from this slick-looking little unit. Its appeal is boosted by the flexibility and ease with which it can be set up and used, whether via touchscreen, app or Alexa commands. More than merely good enough for its intended market, the Caruso R's smooth and very generous balance will surely win it fans." - James Parker

SPECIFICATIONS

CD-Player
Formats / Frequency responce	CD-DA (12cm), CD-R* CD-RW*, Audio CD MPEG 1 Layer 3 (MP3) Windows Media Audio (WMA, DRM not supported) / 2 Hz - 20 kHz/100 dB / CD-Text.
Streaming Client
Formats	MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, ALAC
Services	Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music, qobuz, Spotify Connect (subscription required). DLNA
Interfaces	LAN: Fast Ethernet 10/100 Base-T WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n
USB	1 x USB 2,0 Mastermode
Bluetooth
Standards / Codecs	A2DP 1.2 (Audio), AVRCP 1.4 (Control) / aptX®, MP3, AAC, SBC Bi-directional sink + source
Tuner
Internet Radio	Airable Internet Radio Service (> 11000 stations worldwide)
FM	87,5 - 108 MHz; sensitivity 1 µV; S/N > 65 dBA
DAB+	168 -240 MHz (band III); sensitivity 2,0 µV, S/N > 96 dBA
Features	RDS/RDBS, station name (PS), station logo, radiotext (TR)
Amplifier
Nominal output	at 4 Ohms 2 x 100 Watts at 8 Ohms 2 x 50 Watts
Peak output	at 4 Ohms 2 x 150 Watts at 8 Ohms 2 x 75 Watts
Distortion	< 0,02 %
Inputs	2 x AUX (RCA) 2 Veff max 1 x USB 2.0 Mastermode, SP/DIF:1 x coax (192 kSps) 1 x TOS-Link (96 kSps) 2 x LAN (1 x uplink, 1 x out)
Outputs	Pre-Amp (RCA) 2 Veff, subwoofer (RCA) headphone 32 Ohm@30mW (3,5 mm jack)
Sound Management	2 channel stereo system with DSP controlled sound characteristics
Mains / Accessories / Dimensions
Mains supply	100-127 V, 220 - 240V, 50-60 Hz
Power consumption	max. 300 Watts, Eco standby < 0,5 Watts, comfort standby 5 W
Dimensions (H x W x D)	21 x 29 x 29 cm 8.3 x 11.4 x 11.4 inch
Weight	7.5 kg 16.5 lbs
Accessories	Remote control, power cord, USB cable for charging RC, antenna Bluethooth, antenna WLAN, telescopic antenna radio
Finishes	Case aluminium black 42, top and bottom covers aluminium silver 43
	Technical modifications reserved)