T+A Caruso All-in-One-Musicsysteme

The Carouso
In autumn 2008, T+A launched the first Caruso. Thanks to its unique concept and high-quality materials, it achieved cult status in a very short time. Its direct successor, the Caruso Blu, continued this legacy in a modernized way. The new Caruso certainly represents the greatest development step in the history of the device: it was completely redeveloped both externally and technically, without denying its roots.

concept
Like its predecessors, the Caruso is a compact and outstanding sounding all-in-one music system. 11 years after its introduction, it cites characteristic elements of its forefather and follows T+A's design guidelines of timeless reduction. The Caruso uses all modern music sources: streaming from the network or the Internet, Spotify Connect and AirPlay, but also the classic CD. DAB+ and FM radio receivers are built in, as is a bi-directional Bluetooth module and inputs for digital and analog sources such as TV sets.
It plays all of these sources in outstanding quality through its seven built-in speaker systems. Three power amplifiers with 100 watts of continuous power for the subwoofer system and 50 watts each for the mid-high-frequency units are coupled directly to the speaker chassis and are controlled in a precisely defined manner by the active crossover (active speaker concept). Its digital signal processor enables different sound characteristics so that it sounds great no matter where it is placed. The sound experience, which is unbelievable despite its size, is made possible by the development of the T+A aluminum framework.
The Caruso is the first T+A device ever to use NavigatorOS, a 7 inch HD touchscreen intuitively brings out all the functions of the Caruso and lets cover art shine in new splendor. The base of the Caruso can be illuminated if desired, because we have integrated an LED light bar into the base plate. Various color modes and the colors white, blue, green and red are available for the ambient lighting, the intensity of which can be regulated.

technology
In order to do justice to the variety of functions of the Caruso, we decided to develop the new T+A NavigatorOS: A 7-inch touchscreen bundles all control elements, while the complete software was designed for intuitiveness. For the first time, NavigatorOS enables large format cover art to be displayed directly on the device. The Caruso can also be operated using the supplied FM Caruso remote control and the T+A MusicNavigator app. The slot for the modern CD drive is located above the touch panel. It sounds great and thanks to the buffering function of more than 20 seconds it works completely distortion-free even at the highest volume. All relevant information is displayed on the play screen.
The connection elements on the back show the universal possibilities of the Caruso. It can be used as an impressive-sounding compact system, but can also be upgraded to become the center of a high-quality hi-fi system simply by connecting subwoofers or additional active speakers. Two analog inputs are also available, for example to connect a turntable with phono preamplifier and another analog source, such as two digital inputs for connecting TVs or set-top boxes. There are antenna inputs for Bluetooth, WLAN and FM/DAB+ radio. Since the DAB+ and FM tuners sound excellent, we strongly recommend connecting a high-quality external antenna. Access to the new music media is via the LAN socket, the W-LAN antenna and the USB input; the Caruso automatically recognizes the connected streaming sources and optimally uses the possibilities of the network and the Internet.
A streaming client specially developed for the Caruso allows the use of a wide variety of services such as Gracenote Music ID, Airable Music Services or Spotify Connect through to Amazon Alexa. The outstanding sound of the Caruso is based on the one hand on the active concept of the sound system and the quality of the built-in loudspeakers and on the other hand on the use of a very powerful digital signal processor of the latest generation. This DSP not only linearizes and optimizes the frequency response of the built-in chassis and separates the frequency ranges with steep edges, but also ensures that all systems are in-phase. As a result, the Caruso creates a phenomenally even, natural and clear sound throughout the room. In addition, depending on the setup, you can choose between different sound adjustments in the contour area. If necessary, bass, middle and treble as well as loudness can be adjusted. The base plate of the Caruso carries a high-performance woofer, which has an extremely large magnet with a deep-drawn pole plate and a highly damping, stable membrane and surround, which enable very large excursions. It not only produces a deep bass, but can also reproduce the highest levels and impulses without distortion. However, even this driver would not be able to get the powerful bass out of the Caruso's small cabinet if it were not supported by two low-tuned passive radiators. These are located on the left and right of the side panels behind the speaker grilles. The mid-high range is handled by a set of newly developed mid-high drivers and dome tweeters for the left and right channels, which are embedded in the aluminum front of the inner housing at a slight left and right angle. They reproduce the entire vocal and treble range from 200 Hz to over 30 kHz very linearly and with excellent omnidirectional behavior. The loudspeaker sets are driven directly by their own power amplifier, which means they are directly coupled without the passive components of conventional crossovers. Thanks to this active concept, the damping factor is very high and the impulse and radiation behavior is optimal. This is the only way to achieve the excellent spatial sound of the Caruso. The power amplifiers with their directly coupled chassis are controlled via the built-in DSP, which handles the entire signal processing, from linearization to the crossover frequency, completely loss-free. The weight of the Caruso betrays its inner strength. The newly developed T+A aluminum framework gives the Caruso enormous stability: A complicated extruded profile serves as the supporting framework for the entire interior design. As a result, the net internal volume of the Caruso is relatively large, enabling the astonishing reproduction of very deep bass. Even at the highest levels, the cabinet remains quiet and resonance-free.

Technical specifications

CD player
Formats / frequency response: 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: AAC(LC/HEAAC)/WAV/FLAC/MP3/Vorbis/WMA/AMR-NB/AMR-MB/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
Features: T+A Navigator App for iOS, Android in preparation, Gracenote Music ID, Airplay 2, Amazon Alexa
USB: 1 x USB 2.0 master mode

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 - 108MHz; sensitivity 1 µV; S/N > 65dBA
DAB+: 168-240MHz (Band III); Sensitivity 2.0 µV, S/N > 96 dBA
Features: RDS/RDBS, station name (PS), station logo, radio text (TR)

amplifier
Rated power total: 200 watts continuous power, 300 watts pulsed power
Distortion factor: < 0.02%
Inputs: 2 x AUX (RCA) 2 Veff max., 1 x USB 2.0 master mode for USB memory, SP/DIF: 1 x coax (192 kSps), 1 x TOS link (96 kSps), 2 x LAN (1 x uplink, 1 x out)
Outputs: preamplifier (RCA) 2 Veff, subwoofer (RCA), headphones 32 Ohm@30mW (3.5 mm jack)
Sound Management: 2-channel stereo system with DSP-controlled sound characteristics
Subwoofer management: variable 40 Hz to 150 Hz

speaker
Equipment: 1 x 170 mm long-throw woofer, 2 x 170 mm long-throw passive radiator, 2 x 100/40 mm special mid-range chassis, 2 x 20 mm fabric dome

Connection / Accessories / Dimensions
Mains connection: 100-127V, 220-240V, 50-60Hz
Power consumption: max. 300 W, Eco Standby < 0.5 W, Comfort Standby 5 W
Dimensions: (H x W x D) 29 x 29 x 27 cm
Weight: 12kg
Accessories: remote control, power cable, USB cable for charging the remote control, Bluetooth antenna, WLAN antenna, telescopic radio antenna
Execution: body black with silver lids

Technical changes reserved!