$2200, 300×2!
NAD C368 Integrated Amp $1200 (3 15/16h, 17 1/8w, 15 3/8d, 19 lbs)
NAD C268 Power Amp $1000 (same size, 17 lbs)
I hear you’re looking for a high powered preamp/amp package that can drive tough speakers- at a fair price.
Let me suggest 300 watt monoblocks from NAD, with a preamp that has an on board DAC and Bluetooth- for just over $2K. Yep, this is NAD TURBO STYLE- at outstanding pricing!
This system starts with NAD’s C368 integrated amp. It is rated at 80×2 stereo, or 300w mono.
For the sake of our TURBO discussion, we’re going to be running our C368 in monoblock config.
To complement the 300×1 of C368, we need a companion 300w amp for the other channel. That would be the exquisite C268 power amp. It can run 80×2 or 300w mono. For this package, we’re gonna run C268 mono. Hence, we now have 300w/ch STEREO working for us.
Why start with an integrated amp vs all separates?
Well, it’s SMART! It… is genius.
To make any audio component, you need a chassis, with connections, knobs, controls and circuitry. If you can combine a preamp and amp on one chassis, you’re saving a good deal of cost and space. But that’s not the only reason.
When NAD makes a specialty piece like a preamp, it will likely sell X number of them. If NAD makes that same preamp on the same chassis with its C268 power amp, they’ll sell X times one hundred!
The demand for an affordable integrated amp is dramatically beyond the demand for separates. You have economies of scale working for you when you start with an integrated amp- vs selling a preamp and power amp or two separately.
Assuming your integrated amp is identical in quality, which C368 is, there is only upside in starting with a single C368, vs running a separate preamp and a power amp or pair.
The other advantage of starting with an integrated amp is, that you can do this in stages. You can start with the C368 integrated and enjoy it. When you can afford to muscle up by adding a C268 power amp to mate with it- you’re all set. You don’t have to trade anything in.
Preamp Section
C368 has a 32b DAC (2 coax, 2 OPT) on board. It has Bluetooth on board. It has MM phono on board. It has two high level analog inputs. It also has preamp outs. If you choose to run a powered sub we just add an inexpensive adapter.
Power Amp Performance
Here is where the rubber meets the road! NAD power amps are stabile into virtually any impedance. They sound smooth and don’t run hot. They sound open, dynamic and can deliver a big kick if the music demands it.
Typical amplifiers have mismatched output transistors. The more you have, the more harsh they sound. In short, the more powerful your traditional amp is, the more grainy it will sound. We have dealt with this problem forever. The problem has been solved.
NAD doesn’t use traditional technology. Instead of using banks of out of focus transistors, NAD uses PowerDrive UcD computer driven modules- whose distortion is hundreds of times less than traditional transistors! The result is that NAD delivers ferocious power without generating much heat or becoming unstable. You have 300×2 which will drive any speaker out there.
NAD’s THD measures at .009% at rated power. Guess what the percentage of distortion is with virtually everyone else at rated power? ONE PERCENT!
NAD has 111 times less distortion at rated power vs virtually any competitor you’ll consider.
This… is because of the way NAD plays ball. NAD claims power output at exceedingly low distortion. The other guys claim power output at CLIPPING (= 1%).
There are precious few exceptions to this reality. All you have to do is read the fine print in Stereophile amp test results and the numbers are right there.
You can go right down the line of amp companies we all know. Practically all are guilty of claiming top power at clipping- vs a very insignificant amount of distortion- which is what NAD specs.
I have even asked the guys at NAD, “Why do you do this? You’re the only ones! You’re claiming your power at .009% and the other guys are claiming their power at 1%. That gives them a huge advantage on the advertising brochure.”
NAD is sticking to its guns. NAD expects its dealers to make the case that low distortion is more important than more power at HIGHER LEVELS of distortion.