Packed with functionality, the NAD will sit confidently as the nucleus in any hi-fi set-up. The layered instrumentation has room to breathe in the NAD’s wide-open and scrupulous soundstage, and drips through with marked intent and plenty of detail to communicate the band’s spooky sonic persona. In a larger room or if I was sitting slightly further from the speakers I would need more power. All rights reserved. The ample physical inputs (three RCAs – including MM phono – and twin coaxial and optical connections) are boosted by the inclusion of Bluetooth and wi-fi, via two screw-in antennae. I have a speaker that is rated at 85dB (Raidho X-1) and am delivering 150w into 6 ohms and it is adequate for normal listening but I am in a small-medium room sitting 8' from the speakers. The design of NAD’s stereo amplifiers hasn’t altered much down the years. Review By Bret Rudolph of Enjoy the Music.com Stereophile has published its 2014 Recommended Components in their April Issue and feature not one, not two, but five NAD Electronics products chosen by Stereophile editors. It won’t win any awards for innovative design, but anyone after an unassuming-looking, reliably sturdy box won’t find much to complain about. NAD C 316BEE integrated amplifier And life is good. Packed with functionality, the NAD will sit confidently as the nucleus in any hi-fi set-up. True, the NAD C 316BEE integrated amp isn't exactly feature-laden, and it's rated at a mere 40 watts per channel, but it sounds sweet! Read the full review in the December issue of HiFi Critic. The modular concept, for example, ensures future viability with its expansion slots. NAD has continued to improve its PowerDrive amplifier circuit, which is designed to optimise power delivery through a wide range of speakers. If this doesn’t tempt you into buying a turntable, or making the most of the one you already have, then nothing will. Dynamically, it pays just as much attention to the smaller picture as the big one, adept in delivering the smaller surges in Pink Floyd’s Ebb and Flow, more billowing sweeps in Dire Strait’s Brothers in Arms and the dynamic thrust in Supertramp’s Breakfast in America. An eight-channel DAC chip, which runs in Dual Differential mode with four running on each side for improved resolution, allows for two coaxial and optical inputs apiece, while aptX Bluetooth, courtesy of a screw-on antenna, means music can be streamed from smartphone or tablet, or to a pair of wireless headphones. The delivery doesn’t feel downtrodden or lethargic, it just lacks that effervescent quality that fans of uptempo music may be quick to clock. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. The BluOS streaming module is by no means an accessory that appears optional or seems somehow "forced". NAD starts by getting these things precisely right and advances from there. I recommend the Musical Fidelity M6si, which is a much better-sounding amp which has considerably more power. It’s not only well-connected but has a pleasantly smooth, refined and muscle-bound sound that’s very agreeable indeed – even if by being a touch safe-sounding, it’s leapfrogged by more complete rivals before it’s even had the chance to touch its toes. That requires a great deal of power. I have chosen most of the parts: a pair of Sonus Faber Venere 1.5 speakers and a SVS PB1000 Sub. There was a problem. it is strictly analog integrated amp. Share. I would like at least 100 W/ch. The KEFs are set up in a room that doubles as my office, and form the nucleus of the small system that will be used in many future reviews. Please refresh the page and try again. I have narrowed my choice down to two AMPs: Both AMPs are essentially the same, the main difference between the two besides the price (locally the C 368 is $1,499, and $2,299 for the C 388) is that the C 388 offers more power (150W) than the C C68 (80W). I have narrowed my choice down to two AMPs: 1) NAD C 368 2) NAD C 388 Digital inputs include coax and optical but no USB. Virtual Show on Saturday 24th April. By the way; doubling power is a 3db increase (not 1 db). The C 658 uses the BluOS streaming platform, which was developed for Bluesound kit and has since expanded to other brands within the Lenbrook parent company, such as NAD, and been licensed to other manufacturers, including Dali. Costing $3999, the M32 offers a continuous power output of >150W into 8 or 4 ohms. The company seems to have followed the same style notes for decades, and the C 538 bears many similarities to its forebears. It technically depends on listening levels, room size and how far your listening position is from the speakers but the 85dB on those speakers is quite low. The presentation has an unmistakeable fullness, but never feels choked because of it – or tonally imbalanced for that matter. Currently, I am driving a pair of B&W Matrix 804's. Here, the company claims an 80W per channel into both 4 and 8 ohm loads. NAD C 388 Digital Hybrid Streaming Integrated Amplifier With DAC, Streamer, MM Phonostage, Bluetooth And BluOS Quite a bargain on its own, plus you can customize with NAD's MDC cards too! Line-level inputs are the cornerstone of every stereo amp and the NAD has two, as well as a moving-magnet phono stage, to do its bit for the vinyl boom. MORE: Best hi-fi deals – CD players, amps, DACs and more. It has a DAC inside (not modular) and comes with Bluetooth and AirPlay. Is there anything that I have overlooked? Read similar articles. NAD M33 Review All Digital, of Course – With the M33, NAD is making the definite step from a classic integrated amplifier towards an ultra-modern and complex… 11/13/2020 I also understand that more power isn't always better and that the extra 70W would provide extra head room in regards to brief bursts of high volume. NAD's latest D/A integrated also smartly combines trend with functionality, lifestyle convenience with technological advancement. Round the back, there’s the standard stereo R… I would agree with commsysman. I also have a Carver HR-752 receiver that I am looking to replace. The NAD is like an anchor to the schmaltzy bassline, and ponders each note without ever slowing it down. Previous Next. This $799 amp is rated at 80 watts per channel and is bridgeable to become a 300-watt mono block. You will receive a verification email shortly. p NA… It’s quite content with rhythms too, and has no problem travelling through the latter track’s agile and rich melodies with impetus. We’d like it to let its hair down and take some cues from the Rega Elex-R when it comes to liveliness. Can someone else more experienced enlighten me as to whether there are any other benefits of choosing the C388 (over the C 368), and the extra power that it offers to justify dropping the extra money on it? NAD has continued to improve its PowerDrive amplifier circuit, which is designed to optimise power delivery through a wide range of speakers. Da die einzelnen Threads von Chario, Opera, Sonus faber und co. doch teils sehr wenig belebt sind und immer mal wieder total verschwinden, dachte ich It also has a MM phono stage input and two analog line-level inputs and a … Line-level inputs are the cornerstone of every stereo amp and the NAD has two, as well as a moving-magnet phono stage, to do its bit … The NAD C368 is a modular integrated amplifier that delivers 80 wpc into 8 Ohms and 200 wpc into 4 Ohms. The 150 watt amp may be sufficient, but I certainly would NOT want the lower-powered amp. I love the size and shape of this little BEE. 11/20/2019 NAD C368 Review At 1000 Euros, NAD‘s new C368 is the middle of a modern amplifier trio that combines the best of analog and digital amp technology. © The Rega does not have DAC. NAD Announces Two New MDC Audio Modules MDC AM 17 and MDC AM 230 February 5, 2018 NAD Electronics Digs Into Its Museum Collection for Rocky Mountain Audio Fest October 5, 2017 NAD Launches CI 16-60 DSP Amplifier for Distributed Audio January 17, 2021 NAD Combines Smart CI … * Rotel RA-1592 ($2500). The NAD’s appearance has some bearing on the way it sounds: big and solid from top to bottom. NAD … NAD has introduced a new, affordably priced stereo amplifier called the C 268. NAD C375BEE replaced very successful model C372, which was considered as one of the best by sound at a reasonable price. Combining the highest levels of audio engineering with an extensive feature list, and more than adequate power for all but the most ambitious systems, the C 326BEE keeps the concept of affordable hi-end alive and well. Here, the company claims an 80W per channel into both 4 and 8 ohm loads. Read similar articles. As for the high-pitched piano that it rides next to, it sounds precise and insightful without ever exhibiting harshness. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! Share. Up Next AURALiC ALTAIR Wireless Streaming DAC Review The NAD C368 is a versatile product that can serve as a centerpiece to a stereo music system. Will 3D audio be the next big thing in podcasts. Bath Visit our corporate site. There’s also a preamp output to facilitate bi-amping for adding greater clout at a later date, a 6.3mm headphone output on the front panel, and two pairs of speaker outputs. For that reason, it’d be unfair to overlook NAD’s ambition here. Right now I'm thinking I'd be better off to go with the C 368 and spend the money I save on the MDC BluOS module. The menu system allows inputs to be renamed as well as enabled or disabled, turns the tone controls on and off and adjusts them, as well as switching the pre‑out sockets on the rear between full-r… Whether we connect through one of its analogue or coaxial inputs, the sonic presentation’s warmth and full-bodiedness emerges, laid bare particularly well by the simple arrangement of Lay Down In The Tall Grass by Timber Timbre. The 150w amp might be adequate but 80w won't be. Installing the BluOS Module is the work of a few moments, and control is then via a dedicated app for Android or iOS devices; but even used ‘bare’ the amplifier is both simple and logical. * Classe Sigma 2200i stereo integrated amp ($5500). 08/20/2019 NAD M10 Review The brand new NAD M10 is small and inconspicuous. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Best hi-fi deals – CD players, amps, DACs and more, Usman vs Burns free live stream: UFC 258 start time, main event, pay-per-view, Scotland vs Wales live stream: how to watch the 2021 Six Nations rugby for free in HD, England vs Italy live stream: how to watch the 2021 Six Nations rugby for free in HD, Join us for the What Hi-Fi? It wades through the swampy reverbed vocal, affording it smoothness and refinement without letting that mask his vocal idiosyncrasies and the heartfelt sentiment behind it. Smaller and sleeker than the Cambridge Audio Azur 340A, and with a more modest, more attractive front panel, the NAD C 316BEE integrated amplifier ($349) measures about 17" W by 3" H by 11" D and, like the JoLida FX 10, weighs 12 lbs. für BluOS Streaming However, it is anything but a toy and instead full of clever ideas and technology. My review sample of the C 368 included NAD’s BluOS MDC module ($399). All the top-rated audio products are here, including everything from the editor’s favourite turntables to the … Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The chassis itself is fairly ordinarily even by stereo amp standards, as are the scarce plastic buttons that adorn it, and everything from the screen to the remote carries an heir of late 20th-century nostalgia about it. * Some McIntosh integrated amps. Best soundbars 2021: the best TV speakers you can buy, Best wireless earbuds 2021: budget and premium. I doubt 80w would be enough. The C 328 Hybrid Digital amplifier ($549) goes its older, smaller sibling a couple steps better in features, while reverting to NAD's traditional look: an unfancy box finished in a dark shade of matte gray with subtle white lettering and logo. I don't understand what benefit is to be had by spending an extra $800 on an additional 70W of power. There’s also … 105 db is quite loud, but thatis one meter in front of the speaker. The 150 watt amplifier would be barely adequate. There’s no mistaking a NAD CD player for anything else. * Hegel integrated. I have chosen most of the parts: a pair of Sonus Faber Venere 1.5 speakers and a SVS PB1000 Sub. Besides the Musical Fidelity M6si integrated, which is really an awesome unit, you might also want to consider the following integrated amps : Alexander Blonksteiner’s Jane from the Cannibal Apocalypse soundtrack is handled with grace, calming flute melodies oozing texture and warmth, and noodling guitars and intense strings falling into place with just as credible detail. NAD has continued to improve its PowerDrive amplifier circuit, which is designed to optimise power delivery through a wide range of speakers. With the C368 you unquestionably get exactly what you'd expect from an NAD: excellent sound at its price point – but there's even more. Low noise circuits, precise volume control action, accurate channel balance, proper input and output impedance characteristics, high overload margins and stability with difficult speaker loads. I am in the market for a new amp or receiver and I have somewhat narrowed down my search but would like opinions from others. NAD told me the C 368’s low operating temperature made it unnecessary to break it in; however, I had just obtained new KEF Q700 speakers to use for reviews of budget gear, and they most definitely needed break-in, so I used the C 368. Two slots at the rear can accommodate upgrade modules, whether that’s additional digital audio inputs such as a type-B USB for connecting laptops; HDMI sockets with 4K passthrough; or a Bluesound (NAD’s sister brand) one to add hi-res multi-room network streaming. Line-level inputs are the cornerstone of every stereo amp and the NAD has two, as well as a moving-magnet phono stage, to do its bit … An original design from the company, Paul Rigby reviews the NAD C368 Hybrid Digital DAC/Amplifier We’ve been used to NAD releasing hardware with a contemporary design that screames ‘design studios’ and ‘modern’ and ‘lifestyle’ but the C368 is rather old school … This means that 10 watts will give you a SPL of 95db 1 meter in front of your speakers, and 100 watts will give you an SPL of 105 db. I understand that the power needs to double to increase the volume by 1db so the extra power as I understand wouldn't do anything for volume. The NAD C 368 ticks a lot of boxes as a successful stereo amp. At normal listening distance, it will be considerably less. What Hi-Fi? The NAD C 328 Hybrid Digital integrated amplifier easily met the challenges I set it, making sweet music with minimum fuss. As expected, the Bluetooth presentation sacrifices a little refinement and clarity, and dynamics take a noticeable hit too, but Hyde & Beast’s Open Your Heart is still an engaging listen thanks to plenty of space, insight into piano notes, and focus and sincerity to vocals. Packed with functionality, the NAD will sit confidently as the nucleus in any hi-fi set-up. This module features a LAN port for wired Ethernet connection, two USB Type-A ports, a Bluetooth antenna that takes over Bluetooth duty from the C 368’s built-in capabilities, and a USB Wi-Fi dongle. BA1 1UA. So I'm wondering what, if any, additional benefits are to be had by choosing the C 388. It's picky about the equipment it prefers to associate with, but benefited from its good phono stage and even better DAC, displaying excellent retrieval of information both micro and macro. When I asked NAD for a sample of their Masters Series M50.2 digital music player, which I reviewed in the December 2017 issue, they also sent me a Masters Series M32 DirectDigital integrated amplifier, which had also been introduced at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. Previous Next. Based on those facts, I would say that the 80 watt amplifier would be inadequate for those speakers. That means there’s plenty to peek at through the vents on the casework’s top panel, which is where most of the aesthetic intrigue lies. The only part I'm deliberating over is the AMP, now that I have decided to use an AMP instead of an AV receiver. I forgot to include the Peachtree Audio Nova 300 integrated amp ($2500) and the Rega Elicit-R integrated amp. Here, the company claims an 80W per channel into both 4 and 8 ohm loads. It is surprising how many seemingly advanced products in the market today often miss many of the most basic requirements for satisfying performance. The platform and its accompanying BluOS app is an access point for many streaming music and radio services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, HDTracks, Napster, Tun… They aren’t built on an ‘original’ model or any predecessors, instead the C 368 has been ‘designed from the ground up’ to deliver enhanced features and performance while reducing power consumption. While some of the C 338’s rivals at this price forgo the inclusion of a DAC (the Rega Brio, for instance), the C 338 appears to have more connections than Game of Thrones’ Lord Varys. NAD's overachieving budget audiophile amplifier. Like the other C Series NAD amplifiers, the C 388 belies its performance with a design that’s extremely easy to set up, use and live with. * NAD M32 ($4k). I'm building myself a 2.1 stereo system. * Parasound Halo Integrated ($2500). The units I am looking at is the Rotel RX-1052 receiver or the NAD C372 integrated amp together with the NAD C422 tuner. Still, its easygoing attitude makes it a pleasant co-inhabitant; not once did we tire of the NAD’s sonic display. The NAD C 320 series of amplifiers have always punched far above their modest weight. The only part I'm deliberating over is the AMP, now that I have decided to use an AMP instead of an AV receiver. The front panel boasts just the basic transport controls and the display is clear enough to be useful from a distance. NAD C368 Vollverstärker mit integriertem Bluetooth-Modul, 2 x 80 Watt Dauerleistung, 2 Steckplätzen für MDC-Module, u.a. Still, there’s not much to complain about when the result is as clean and easy to use as this. A solid, articulate and well-equipped performer that delivers an easy-listening experience. Rigby concludes his review with a strong summary of everything the C 368 brings to the table: “Offering a wealth of features that should satisfy even the most demanding of hi-fi fans with a useful modular approach to expandability, the NAD C 368 provides an open and detailed sonic presentation.” Read the full Audiophile Man review here. The key thing is the very low sensitivity of your speakers; only 85 db/watt/meter.