INTRODUCTION

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 outstanding functionality and superb design. Its successor, the Caruso Blu, continued this heritage in a modernised form. By this means both machines laid the foundation for all the units of the Caruso series. The latest sources, a modern mode of operation and a streamlined appearance of timeless elegance: these are the criteria to which every device bearing the Caruso name must measure up. Even though all of them constitute unique developments, they all share the same DNA.  

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Like its predecessors, the Caruso is a modern, compact device delivering superb sound quality. Whether used as a receiver or an all-in-one system, every Caruso caters for all modern music sources: streaming from the network, the Internet, or your mobile device, as well as the classic CD. Naturally it also includes DAB+ and VHF radio receivers, as well as a bi-directional Bluetooth module and inputs for digital and analogue sources such as TV sets. All these sources are reproduced by your Caruso in brilliant quality, either via its integral loudspeaker systems or through external speakers. Precisely calculated amplifier and speaker configurations enable the system to provide a sonic experience of unprecedented impact for a unit of its size. The Caruso is the first T+A device of any kind to use the NavigatorOS with the 7” HD touchscreen providing intuitive control of all the system’s functions, as well as displaying cover art in impressive style. 
If wished, the plinth of the Caruso can be illuminated, since we have integrated an LED strip light in the machine’s bottom plate. For ambient lighting you can choose between different color modes and white, blue, green and red light, and the intensity of the lighting is user-variable.

INTRODUCTION

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.

CONTROL CENTRE

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.