Brit hi-fi stalwart NAD plans to improve its customer service by radically changing the way it sells its hi-fi and home cinema products in the UK.

Called Fresh Start, the plan is that NAD’s products will only be sold through retailers and custom installers whose staff includes a NAD Sound Academy-certified member.

The company’s UK distributor, Armour Home, will no longer supply NAD products to high street stores and online retailers which are known for heavy discounting.

From August, potential buyers will be invited to special in-store demonstrations and events where they can listen to various NAD products, including NAD Master Series electronics and PSB speakers.

The company says that while this may limit the amount of discount deals, customers will benefit from superior service, and participating dealers will also benefit from online staff training for technologies such as Blu-ray and HDMI.

NAD brand manager Alex Munro said: "What we want to achieve through this process is to ensure the purchasing experience meets the expectations of an ever-more discerning customer.”