NAD Electronics introduced the C 268 stereo amplifier for audiophiles seeking versatility. It can be used in a traditional setup with a preamplifier, for biamping loudspeakers or as a slave amp. C 268 is even bridgeable to turn 80-watts x 2 into 300-watts x 1.
NAD designers have shunned conventional power hungry linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste nearly half of the energy consumed producing heat rather than sound. Instead, they have 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 engineering 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, providing dramatic advances over previous models and with consistent performance into all speaker loads.
The power supply of the C 268 is capable of nearly 200 watts continuously and over 500 watts instantaneously to allow for short term musical transients. Innovative Asymmetrical PowerDrive fully utilizes every watt available with its vast reserves of dynamic power available to accurately reproduce musical transients without distortion or compression. It can operate with any AC mains voltage from 100V to 240V and provides pure DC power to all the various stages of the C 268. 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 268 uses a customized version of the proven Hypex UcD output stage. This allows for massive power output with nearly unmeasurable distortion and noise in the audible range. Every detail of this design has been carefully crafted and perfectly executed to wring out every last drop of performance.
The C 268 may be a basic Power Amp but NAD has carefully thought through all the possible uses an audiophile may need now, or in the future. Selectable balanced inputs make the C 268 a natural for studio use or connection to High End Preamps and Processors. These inputs include a trim control useful for matching to other components or for use in Bi-amping Speakers. A line out allows further addition of power on the same channel for additional speakers or subwoofers.
Added to all this connectivity is a Bridge Switch that turns the C 268 into an powerful Monoblock Amplifier. Start with one and add a second C 268 later when you upgrade your speakers. Alternatively, the C 268 can be paired with the company’s NAD C 368 Integrated DAC Amp, and with both units bridged for Mono, 300 distortion-free watts per channel are available for pure listening pleasure.
A line out allows further addition of power on the same channel for additional speakers or subwoofers. Auto-sense with selectable threshold is perfect for automating complex systems or hiding the amp out of sight in a cabinet. NAD has included a Ground Lug that can be useful for eliminating ground loops and noise in complex multi-unit systems.
Features:
- 80W X 2 Continuous Power into 8 or 4 Ohms
- Bridgeable to become powerful 300W Monoblock
- Balanced and Single-Ended Line Inputs
- Variable Input Level Control
- Line Output for Daisy Chaining
- Auto-turn-on with Selectable Threshold
- 12V Trigger In/Out
Price and Availability
The NAD C 268 will begin shipping October 2017 for $799 (U.S. MSRP).
