Editors' Choice Award 2024 – The Absolute Sound Magazine
Recommended – avsforums.com
Feature-packed Mid-level Integrated Amp with Future-proof MDC, DAC, and Phono Stage
The NAD C 368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier offers all of the features of the breakthrough entry-level C 338 amp plus Modular Design Construction (MDC). This exclusive feature of NAD products, allows you to customize your NAD amplifier with additional capabilities and features, now or in the future. The two available MDC slots can accommodate a variety of upgrade modules including 4K video capable HDMI switching, additional Digital Inputs, and additional Analog and Phono Inputs.
The C 368 offers provides 2 X 80W Continuous Power into 8 ohms or 4 ohms, and Dynamic Power of 145W at 8 ohms, 240W at 4 ohms, and 260W at 2 ohms. 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. Vinyl lovers will appreciate the MM Phono stage with precisely accurate RIAA equalization.
If you wish, you can order the C 368 with one of the most advanced Hi-Res Audio multi-room wireless systems available, the BluOS music management system developed by Bluesound. More about that, below.
Award-Winning Performance
The C 328 won an Editors' Choice Award 2024 from The Absolute Sound magazine, which reports, "One of NAD’s most acclaimed components of the 2010s, the C 368 remains a benchmark for powered amplifiers."
"NAD's C 368 is a great-sounding and forward-looking integrated that will satisfy now and well into the future… The C 368 sounds more powerful than its rating, capturing music's continuously changing dynamic level with noteworthy precision and exhibiting a dynamic exuberance typical of NAD equipment."
"A Seriously Clever Modern Amplifier"
"This is a seriously clever modern amplifier and as such, one that comes recommended," notes avsforums.com.
"Out of the box, the NAD only needs very basic sources to function and with the Bluesound module included, it has no need of them at all… The really good news is that this is all attached to one of the most fluid and refined sounding amplifiers I've tested in quite a while."
Very Linear Performance Over a Wide Bandwidth
In recent years, NAD has moved away from the old-fashioned linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste energy, and has instead developed better performing circuits based on switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages. Once thought to be inferior to traditional topologies, NAD's advancements have 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.
The power supply is capable of 200 watts continuously and over 600 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 368. 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.
The C 368 uses a customized version of the proven Hypex UcD output stage. This allows for massive power with nearly unmeasurable distortion and noise in the audible range. Every detail of this design has been carefully planned and perfectly executed to wring out every last drop of performance.
"Ticks a Lot of Boxes"
"The NAD C 368 ticks a lot of boxes as a successful stereo amp. It’s not only well-connected but has a pleasantly smooth, refined and muscle-bound sound that’s very agreeable indeed," reports What Hi-Fi? magazine, terming it "a solid, articulate and well-equipped performer that delivers an easy-listening experience."
"NAD's C 368 is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of equipment," notes Matthew J. Poes, avnirvana,com. "Its class-leading design folds a top-notch amplifier, DAC, and streaming platform into a simple and intuitive device that's highly-affordable and easy to integrate into both large and small systems. BluOS streaming performance further boosts the package's audio capabilities, making it an easy recommendation as a sure-shot buy."
Digital and Analog Connectivity
Connect instantly to the C 368 with Bluetooth to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device. SPDIF coax and optical inputs for digital sources and take advantage of the built-in 24-bit/192 kHz DAC. Wi-Fi and Network Streaming and support both Google Cast and Spotify Connect. It also provides access to internet radio stations and can serve as an UPnP Client for network streaming from a local NAS library.
Vinyl lovers will appreciate the MM Phono stage with precisely accurate RIAA equalization, high overload margins, extremely low noise, and an innovative circuit to suppress infrasonic noise. Line inputs can accommodate all kinds of analogue source components by offering ideal input impedance characteristics with linear ultra-low-noise buffer amplifiers.
NAD Re-Invents the Integrated Amp
Three new Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifiers from NAD Electronics cover a wide range of technologies, power, and price points while providing best-in-class performance and value. The new line consists of the entry-level C 338, the mid-level C 368, and the powerhouse C 388.
Deploying the three major technology innovations recently debuted in the company's High End Masters Series components, NAD has upped the ante for competitive features and performance in affordable two-channel power amplifiers. Hybrid Digital Amplification bring new levels of performance to the category. Modular Design Construction is future ready for easy feature upgrades.
And you can order the C 368 with the BluOS™ Wireless Multi-room Audio for a hi-res option for streaming music.
While appearing traditional in design – retaining the classic look of quality hi-fi separates – these high performance amps overflow with cutting edge digital technology along with must-have features and operation.
Excelling with Music Sources Past, Present, and Future
The entry-level C 338 is a compact yet powerful integrated amp designed in the classic NAD tradition by offering high end sound and specifications at a remarkably affordable price. Wireless network and streaming audio are fully supported by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The two upper models, the C 368 C 388, are what NAD terms Future Proof Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifiers, and they are as intelligent as they are powerful.
The C 388 and C 368 are Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifiers that bring together all the critical elements of a top performing music system. They excel with music sources past, present, and future, while providing a nearly unrestricted reservoir of power that allows your speakers to reveal every nuance of musical detail. Inputs include MM Phono, Stereo Line, Optical Digital and Coax Digital.
Their advanced amplifier stages include many cutting-edge technological breakthroughs developed by NAD over decades of creating affordable ultra-high performance audio components. The C 338 provides 2 X 50W Continuous Power into 8 or 4 Ohms (150W Dynamic @4 Ohms). The C 368 offers 2 X 80W (240W Dynamic @4 Ohms), while the C 388 delivers 2 X 150W (350W Dynamic @4 Ohms), both conservatively rated and with virtually no audible noise or distortion.
Future Proofing with Modular Design Construction (MDC)
Found on both the C 388 and C 368, NAD's exclusive Modular Design Construction (MDC) allows you to customize your NAD amplifier with additional capabilities and features, now or in the future. The two available MDC slots can accommodate a variety of upgrade modules including 4K video capable HDMI switching, additional Digital Inputs, and one of the most advanced Hi-Res Audio multi-room wireless systems available, the BluOS™ music management system developed by Bluesound.
Optional BluOS Module
BluOS connects to your network and is controlled via smartphone, tablet, or desktop device to manage your music collection and connect to a growing list of high-quality streaming music services.
Adding the optional BluOS Module provides instant access to your local area network via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connection and adds Hi-Res Audio streaming. The BluOS Module also makes the C 388 a single-zone streamer in a multi-room wireless music system fully compatible with BluOS-enabled music systems and wireless speakers.
"Near Impossible to Beat"
"NAD’s C 368 is a highly competent, great-sounding integrated amplifier that in itself represents an excellent value," opbserves Al Griffin, soundstagesimplifi,com, May 1, 2017. "Adding the company’s MDC BluOS module takes the C 368 to a new level altogether. Not only do you get wired and Wi-Fi multiroom streaming capability, the BluOS module turns the C 368 into a Roon endpoint."
"Add to that a wide range of connections to accommodate everything from a CD player to a turntable, and NAD’s new integrated emerges as a multitasking master with a combination of price, features, and performance that’s near impossible to beat."