NAD C 338 Hybrid Digital Integrated Amplifier

The NAD C338 offers both the analog enthusiast and digital diehard all the functionality they’d expect

Getting it Right

When it comes time to create a product, we never overlook the most crucial of requirements. From low noise circuits to precise volume control action, to accurate channel balance and proper input and output impedance characteristics, NAD does everything they can to get these things exactly right. They also include an MM Phono stage with precisely accurate RIAA equalization, 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. The line inputs can accommodate all kinds of analogue source components by offering ideal input impedance characteristics with linear ultra-low-noise buffer amplifiers to prevent any sonic degradation caused by inappropriate loading of the source device. They include a separate headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage capability – enough to drive even high impedance studio monitor headphones. Low impedance line outputs that can connect to subwoofers extend the versatility of this well thought out amplifier. These are all details you can hear.

Instant Connection
As previously stated, you can connect instantly to the C 338 with Bluetooth, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device. Bluetooth can also be used to listen to other sources connected to the C 338 via wireless headphones. There is also a control app that allows your smartphone or tablet to control all functions of your NAD.

Sophisticated Power
In recent years, NAD has moved away from the old-fashioned linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste energy, and have instead developed even better performing circuits based on switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages. Once thought to be inferior to traditional topologies, NAD’s advanced work in this area has created some of the best performing amplifiers regardless of basic design principle. These new designs are very linear over a wide bandwidth and provide consistent performance into all speaker loads, providing a dramatic advance over previous models.

Furthermore, the power supply is capable of 160 watts continuously and over 300 watts instantaneously to allow for short-term musical transients. It can operate with any AC mains voltage from 100 to 240 volts and provides pure DC power to all the various stages of the C 338. This highly efficient 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.

Using a customized version of the proven Hypex UcD output stage, the C 338 allows for massive power with nearly unmeasurable distortion and noise in the audible range. Every detail of this amplifier has been carefully designed and perfectly executed to deliver every last drop of performance.

Product details:

• 50W x 2 Continuous Power into 8 or 4 Ohms
• 90W, 150W and 200W IHF Dynamic Power into 8, 4 and 2 Ohms, respectively
• Class D Asymmetrical PowerDrive amplifier design
• 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter for high-performance playback of digitally connected sources such as a CD player
• Built-in Wi-Fi for listening to music from a networked PC, internet radio, and a ton of music streaming services
  • Support for Google Chromecast built-in and Spotify Connect
• Built-in Bluetooth ADP4 with aptX for wireless music streaming from a compatible device
• Independent built-in high-output headphone amplifier
• Bass EQ
• NAD Amp 3 remote control
• NAD control app for iOS® and Android™ lets you use your compatible mobile device as a remote control

Connections:

• 4 digital audio inputs (2 optical/2 coaxial)
• 3 stereo RCA audio inputs, including a phono input (for use with a moving magnet cartridge)
• Subwoofer output
• Full-size headphone jack
• Pair of 5-way binding post speaker connectors
• Detachable power cord
• Wi-Fi enabled with network streaming of music services, internet radio, and UPnP