Stereo Amplifiers
NAD Stereo Amplifiers provide best and clear sound to please your ear.
NAD C 356BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Improving an award-winning design is always a delicate task. Adding performance and value to an already highly optimised design requires vision, talent, and expertise. Fortunately for our music-loving customers, all three are on clear display in the new C 356BEE. NAD fans already know that the initials “BEE” stand for Bjorn Erik Edvardsen, our Director of Advanced Development. BEE has once again applied lessons learned from our leading Masters Series M3 amplifier to the C 356BEE.

The C 356BEE has the lowest levels of distortion and noise available in its price class and is easily capable of embarrassing far more expensive products. To prove it we use 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 our competitors. We use this stricter performance criterion because it more closely matches the demands of real music and real loudspeakers. Maintaining specified distortion at 4 ohms and at 20Hz and 20kHz is a much more difficult achievement.

Musical performance is only part of the C 356BEE’s story. We have also included our upgrade-friendly Modular Design Construction (MDC) to allow the addition of our superb PP 375 Phono Stage and MDC DAC - USB Digital Analogue Converter or other yet-to-be-announced MDC Modules to enhance the capabilities of this affordable amplifier.

Since the C 356BEE is fitted with one MDC slot, if you are looking at add both of these functions, our recommended configuration is to install an MDC DAC and use an outboard-connected PP2 or PP3 for Phono. Recently, NAD has added a C 356BEE model that has the MDC DAC fully installed in the factory, called the C 356BEE DAC.

New improved speaker binding posts allow for two pairs of speakers with remote controlled switching. The C 356BEE makes exclusively uses sonically transparent sealed reed relay switches for all inputs (despite their added expense), including a front panel mini-jack to easily enjoy music from your iPod or other portable music player. This internal architecture minimises signal path length and keeps resistance extremely low allowing the subtlest details to emerge from your music. Musically satisfying tone controls allow necessary correction to your favourite music without adding colouration or distortion. Rather than design good tone controls, many competitors simply delete them; at NAD, we give you the option to bypass tone controls for those perfect recordings in your collection. The remote can also control other NAD products, like Radio Tuners and CD Players, giving complete system control.
NAD C 165BEE Stereo Preamplifier
The C 165BEE is an all new design representing a lifetime of design experience from NAD's renowned Director of Advanced Developments, Bjørn Erik Edvardsen. New semi-conductors and improved production techniques such as surface mount devices (SMDs) have created opportunities for performance far beyond expectation when compared to previous products in this price range. Compared to its predecessor the C 162, an improved tone control circuit and revised PCB layout has reduced distortion and noise to unprecedented levels when combined with the high signal capacity of the NAD Class A Gain Modules.

Feature

* 6 Line Level Inputs
* Phono Input with selectable Moving Coil and Moving Magnet sensitivity settings
* 3 position Resistance and Capacitance settings for Phono Input
* 2 Line Level Outputs, one variable from 0dB to -12dB
* Subwoofer Output
* Independent Headphone Amplifier
* Pure Class A Gain Modules
* Sealed Reed Relays for Input Switching
* Heavy Gauge Steel Chassis
* Bass and Treble Controls with Defeat Switch (bypass]
* Gold Plated Sockets
* 12V Trigger Output
* IR In and Out
* Detachable Power Cord
* SR 8 NAD 4 Device System remote Control
* <1 watt Standby Consumption
NAD C 275BEE Stereo Power Amplifier
The C 275BEE boasts many upgrades and refinements taken directly from the highly acclaimed NAD Masters Series M3 Amplifier. These include application of Bjorn Erik Edvardsen's innovative and patented Distortion Canceling Circuit in the output stage and BEE Clamp in the power supply. A carefully engineered PCB layout has reduced distortion and noise to unprecedented levels. Taken together, these improvements mark a sharp upturn in performance that simply must be heard, to be fully appreciated!

Features

* 2 x 150W Continuous Power into 4 ohms and 8 ohms
* 250W, 410W, 600W IHF Dynamic power into 8, 4 and 2 ohms, respectively
* PowerDrive™ circuit
* Holmgren Toroidal Power transformer
* All discrete circuitry
* Class A Voltage Stages
* Distortion Canceling Circuit
* BEE Anti-saturation Clamp
* Short signal path from input to output
* All sockets Gold plated
* Soft Clipping™
* ATOLogic 12 volt trigger/ signal sensing input
* Detachable IEC Power Cable
* <1W Standby Power Consumption
* Free of lead and other environmentally dangerous substances
NAD C 245BEE Four-Channel Amplifier
The C 245BEE is an amplifier with uncommon talent. With its four-channel architecture it can provide several system building options. Used with our C 165BEE preamp, it offers more than enough power to drive the loudspeaker of your choice with the interesting option to bi-amplify. Connected to the Zone Output of our AV Receiver, the C 245BEE can send different music programs to remote speakers.

* 4 x 35W Minimum Continuous Power into 4 / 8 ohms, all channels driven simultaneously, 20Hz - 20kHz at 0.03% THD (NAD Full Disclosure Power)
* 55W, 85W, 95W IHF Dynamic Power into 8, 4 and 2 ohms, respectively
* 2 x 70W Minimum Continuous Power into 8 ohms in Bridge Mode
* Channel A + B Switching
* ATOLogic 12 volt trigger/signal sensing input
* Line Level "Loop Through" Outputs
* Short signal path from input to output
* All sockets Gold-plated
* Multi-way Binding Post Speaker Outputs
* Detachable IEC Power Cable
* <1W Standby Power Consumption
* Free of lead and other environmentally dangerous substances
NAD C 390DD Direct Digital Powered DAC Amplifier
Digital Innovation

The NAD C 390DD is not only a new concept in amplification, but also in audio system architecture. First introduced in the now famous NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier, Direct Digital technology has been praised for its transparent, dynamic and detailed sound quality. Like the M2, the C 390DD has no analogue stages in the signal path, keeping music in the digital domain right up to the speaker outputs. All preamp functions are executed in the digital domain without the phase shift, noise and distortion that plagues all analogue designs regardless of price or pedigree. Its 35-bit architecture and 108MHz master clock also make Direct Digital one of the most accurate DAC technologies available.

Modular Design Construction

The advantages of a pure digital system are many, but one drawback is the constantly changing delivery formats for digital content. Each of these formats typically requires specialized hardware and software, often with licensed IP and content copy protection.

For this reason, we place all digital interface circuitry on easily upgradable modules. We call this Modular Design Construction or MDC. The C 390DD comes standard with one module, the DD USB 1 for USB interface, and open slots for two more modules. Optional MDC modules currently include the DD HDMI-1 HDMI Module and the DD AP-1 Analogue Phono module. The DD HDMI-1 offers three HDMI inputs and one output with video pass through. This opens up the possibility of using the C 390DD as the heart of a "Video 2.0" system using the mandatory two-channel linear PCM soundtrack from Blu-ray or DVD to make a compelling two-channel high definition theatre presentation. Many Symphony Orchestras and some specialty music labels are also released in HD recordings on Blu-ray or DVD. The DD HDMI-1 is fully 3D video compatible, but there is no surround sound decoding or video processing.

The DD AP-1 module is also very innovative, using super high quality Analogue-to-Digital conversion to make analogue sources compatible with the C 390DD's pure digital circuitry. Using 24/192 processing, the ADC circuit auto-ranges for the best possible resolution and lowest noise. The phono circuit has impedance settings for both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges with gain automatically set.

Power

The C 390DD has a very high continuous power rating of 150 watts per channel with almost immeasurable distortion and noise. More importantly, thanks to NAD's exclusive Digital PowerDrive circuit sensing the speaker load and altering amplifier characteristics, power delivery into real loudspeakers is enhanced with the most efficient power delivery and best safety margin. Resulting in power output that can more than triple the rated power for short periods of time to accurately and effortlessly reproduce musical transients. The result is that the C 390DD sounds even more powerful than its already impressive continuous power rating.

System Architecture

Since the C 390DD performs the functions of multiple conventional components, not only is the sound improved, but the way a music system is configured can change as well. The C 390DD is ready for the world of computer audio with its asynchronous USB input that can directly stream 24/96 content from your PC or Mac, USB memory sticks and hard drives (Fat32) are also supported with both front and rear connections. Or add NAD's innovative C 446 Digital Media Tuner to stream and manage your internet radio and NAS devices as well as local FM and AM broadcasts. Naturally, traditional components like CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc players can all be accommodated. Even older analogue sources and turntables can be used with the optional DD Analogue/Phono Module.

Exclusive Features

The Direct Digital platform includes a large amount of DSP processing power, and NAD has fully exploited this power with a toolbox full of useful features. Even familiar features, like the volume control, benefit from the Direct Digital platform. Perfect signal tracking and channel balance combined with a total freedom from noise and distortion characterize this remarkable volume control. Traditional bass and treble controls also take on a new usefulness when distortion and phase shift are totally absent.

An 'electronic crossover' function is also included to easily allow bi-amplification or subwoofer integration. Frequencies from 40Hz to 200Hz can be selected with the high pass signal sent to the C 390DD amplifier section and the low pass sent to the preamp out.

One of the major problems in any high power music system is what we call 'room modes' or 'standing waves'. The wavelengths in the bass frequencies are so large that room dimensions disturb the even propagation of the sound (think of water ripples in a fish tank – when the wave hits the tank boundary a reverse interference wave is produced). The result of this effect is that certain bass notes are reinforced and become much too loud, making the bass sound 'boomy'. This effect actually changes the perception of the harmonic structure of the bass instruments and spoils the illusion of "listening through" to the acoustic space of the recording. Our simple solution is what we call Room EQ. Playing back a supplied test tone sequence allows this problem to be easily tamed using your ears and the C 390DD Room EQ filters. There are six frequency centres in the low bass region that can be cut (or slightly boosted) to remove the 'boom' without reducing the low bass response. The width or "Q" of the filter can also be adjusted to be wide or narrow to address a number of different room configurations.
NAD C 375BEE Integrated Amplifier
The C 375BEE is far more than a bigger C 355BEE — in fact, it is much closer in spec to the M3 Integrated Amplifier from NAD's high end Masters Series. It also incorporates an updated version of NAD's "Building Block" concept to make the addition of the PP375 phono module and other affordable future upgrades possible. Attention to the most minute detail is evident everywhere, from the heavy gauge steel chassis to the sophisticated power supplies and copper buss bars channeling almost absurd amounts of current to the custom gold plated speaker binding posts.

The C 375BEE boasts many upgrades and refinements taken directly from the highly acclaimed NAD Masters Series M3 Amplifier. These include application of Bjørn Erik Edvardsen's innovative and patented Distortion Canceling Circuit in the output stage and BEE Clamp in the power supply. An improved tone control circuit and revised PCB layout has reduced distortion and noise to unprecedented levels. Taken together, these improvements mark a sharp upturn in performance that simply must be heard, to be fully appreciated!

Features

* 2 x 150W Continuous Power into 4 Ohms and 8 ohms
* 200W, 365W, 500W IHF Dynamic power into 8, 4 and 2 ohms, respectively
* PowerDrive™ circuit
* NAD SR 8 Full System Remote control
* Headphone socket
* Front panel Media Player (MP) input for attaching portable MP3 Player
* Relay Input Switching
* Holmgren Toroidal Power transformer
* 7 Line inputs, including two tape in/outs
* All discrete circuitry
* Class A Voltage Stages (Preamp and Power Amp)
* Distortion Canceling Circuit
* BEE Anti-saturation Clamp
* Short signal path from input to output
* All sockets Gold plated
* Tone controls defeat switch
* Main-amp input & 2 pre-amp outputs
* Speaker A + B outputs and switching
* Soft Clipping™
* IR Input/Output
* 12 volt trigger out
* RS-232 serial port
* Detachable IEC Power Cable
* Optional PP375 MC/MM Phono Module
* <1W Standby Power Consumption
* Free of lead and other environmentally dangerous substances
NAD C 326BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The NAD C 320 series of amplifiers have always punched far above their modest weight. 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. With the very high dynamic power and low impedance drive capability of NAD's proprietary PowerDrive™ circuit, the C 326BEE is able to accurately control even difficult to drive loudspeakers while sounding musical, detailed, coherent and relaxed.

The C 326BEE is the latest in NAD's range of affordably priced, yet very high performance Stereo Integrated Amplifiers. Neatly slotted in between our most affordable C 315BEE and more powerful C 355BEE, the C 326BEE boasts many upgrades and refinements taken directly from the highly acclaimed NAD Masters Series M3 Amplifier. These include application of Bjørn Erik Edvardsen's innovative and patented Distortion Canceling Circuit in the output stage and BEE Clamp in the power supply. An improved tone control circuit and revised PCB layout has reduced distortion and noise to unprecedented levels. Taken together, these improvements mark a sharp upturn in performance that must be heard to be fully appreciated!

* 2 x 50W Continuous Power into 4 ohms and 8 ohms
* 100W, 150W, 200W IHF Dynamic power into 8, 4 and 2 ohms, respectively
* PowerDrive™ circuit
* NAD SR 8 Full System Remote control
* Headphone socket
* Front panel Media Player (MP) input for attaching portable MP3 Player
* Relay Input Switching
* Holmgren Toroidal Power transformer
* 7 Line inputs, including one tape in/out
* All discrete circuitry Short signal path from input to output
* All sockets Gold plated
* Tone controls defeat switch
* Main-amp input & pre-amp outputs
* Subwoofer (mono) Out
* Soft Clipping™
* IR Input/Output
* 12 volt trigger out
* Detachable IEC Power Cable
* <1W Standby Power Consumption
* Free of lead and other environmentally dangerous substances

Performance