About The NAD C328 Stereo Amplifier
The NAD C328 stereo amplifier is the latest in NAD's range of affordable, yet very high performance Integrated Stereo Amplifiers. Great news for those into storing their music on their smart device because the C328 has built-in Bluetooth.
NAD has moved away from the old-fashioned power-hungry linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste nearly half of the energy consumed and produce heat rather than sound. Instead, NAD has developed even better performing circuits based on switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages. Once thought to be inferior to traditional topologies, this new Hybrid Digital Amplifier design is very linear over a wide bandwidth and provides consistent performance into all speaker loads, providing a dramatic advancement over previous Class AB and Class D amplifier designs.
- Customised Hypex UcD Output Stage: The NAD C328 uses a customised version of the proven Hypex UcD output stage. This allows for massive power with nearly immeasurable distortion and noise in the audible range. Every detail of this design has been carefully crafted and perfectly executed to deliver best performance possible.
- Efficient Power Supply: The power supply of the C328 is able to provide over 100 Watts of audio output when needed. The C328 provides pure DC power to all of its various stages. This extremely efficient power supply also provides near perfect regulation of voltage across a wide range of conditions and provides a solid noise-free foundation for the amplifying stages.
Full Disclosure Power (FDP): NAD uses Full Disclosure Power (FDP), the most demanding criterion for performance measurement. FDP specifies distortion under the most extreme conditions of low impedance loads and frequency extremes, rather than the simple and easy 1kHz @ 8 Ohms test quoted by many of other manufactures. NAD uses this stricter performance criterion because it more closely matches the demands of real music and real loudspeakers. Maintaining specified distortion at 4/8 Ohms and at 20-20kHz is a much more difficult achievement. The benefit of NAD's Full Disclosure Power is the total elimination of audible distortion at any listening level. This provides pinpoint imaging and realism with music and movies alike.
Discrete Headphone Amplifier: The NAD C 328 incorporates a discrete headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage capability, enough to drive even high impedance studio monitor headphones. Connecting a set of headphone to the C328's front-panel jack will mute the speaker outputs. Volume, tone, and balance controls still operate during headphone listening.
Binding Post Speaker Outputs: The speaker output terminals consist of four binding posts to connect a single pair of loudspeakers. The amplifier supports 4 Ohm to 8 Ohm speakers. These binding post terminals will accept heavy duty bare wire and banana plugs which is a far better choice. You'll need to remove the plastic inserts within the binding-post terminals to connect banana plugs. See our range of factory terminated pairs which offer great value and performance.
Ready for Streaming
With support for Bluetooth, you can instantly connect and listen to the music service of your choice, or wirelessly stream music and playlists stored directly on your smartphone, tablet or computer. You can control basic playback functions (such as Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track, and Volume Up/Down) from the included IR remote. You can only pair and connect one device at a time. Plus, with its high performance digital circuitry, Bluetooth streaming has never sounded as good as it does with the C328.
Versatility in Spades: The line inputs of the C328 can accommodate all kinds of analogue source components. It offers ideal input impedance attributes with linear, ultra-low noise buffer amplifiers to prevent any sonic degradation caused by improper loading of the source device. The C328 also features a separate headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage capability, enough in fact to drive even high impedance studio monitor headphones. The low impedance line outputs can also connect to a subwoofer to further extend the versatility of the C328.
NAD C328 Review
"NAD calls its new integrated amplifier a "Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier," a moniker that hints at its digital prowess. The C 328 can handle a wide range of digital sources and, indeed, features a topology that keeps signals in the digital domain until the switching output stage. Although the amp is rated at 50Wpc, Paul Seydor found that the C 328 wasn't lacking for power in real-world situations. The C 328 acquits itself excellently in nuance and resolution. With rock and driving jazz it displays a lot of punch, kick, drive, and swing. Subjectively, noise and distortion are extremely low, the presentation notable for its clarity and articulation without appearing in the least analytical. A tremendous bargain and a worthy successor to NAD's legendary 3020 integrated amplifier." The Absolute Sound Editors' Choice Awards 2023
Our Take
When it comes to Classic Stereo amplifiers, NAD has never been an also-ran brand. In fact they have redefined the market and other brands either became defunct or had to lift their game. With the C328, no feature has been overlooked. Low noise circuits, precise volume control action, and accurate channel balance are all key characteristics of the C328. With the added bonus of proper input and output impedance traits, plus high overload margins and stability with difficult speaker loads, the C328 is the best choice for music lovers who are just starting to build their dream systems and want something better than entry-level. The C328 also includes a MM phono stage with precisely correct RIAA equalisation, high overload margins, extremely low noise, and an innovative circuit to suppress infrasonic noise that is present on all LPs—all without affecting bass response.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Stereo Integrated Amplifier with installed NAD DAC
- Power Output: 40 x 2 Watts Continuous Power into 4 Ohms and 8 Ohms
- Impedance Compatibility: 4 Ohm stable for use with a wide range of speakers
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 95 dB line-level; 75 dB phono
- Power Drive: Class D Asymmetrical PowerDrive amplifier design
- Power Transformer: Holmgren Toroidal Power Transformer
- DAC: 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter for high-performance playback of digitally connected sources such as a CD player
- Bluetooth: Built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from a compatible device
- Supports the aptX codec for wirelessly streaming CD-quality sound
- Speaker Terminals: Heavy Duty Speaker Wire Binding Posts - Accepts 'banana' plugs
- Line-Level Inputs: 2 pair
- Phono Input: Suits MM Cartridges
- Subwoofer Output: 1
- Digital Inputs: 2 x Coaxial and 2 x Toslink/Optical
- RS-232 Port: Yes
- Headphone Socket: Yes, on front panel
- Remote Control: NAD AMP 3 System remote control included
- Power Cord: Detachable IEC power cord which can be easily upgraded
- Auto Sense & Auto Standby: The Auto Sense feature enables the C328 to wake up from standby mode when triggered by an active analog or digital source input with an audio signal
- Stand-By Consumption: < 1 Watt
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 435 x 70 x 285mm
- Nett Weight: 4.9 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE