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What You Need to Know
What is the C 316BEE V2, and what does it do?
The NAD C 316BEE V2 is an integrated amplifier. That’s a single box that combines a preamp (which selects your sources and controls the volume) with a power amp (which actually drives your speakers). One box, fewer cables, less to think about.
It’s the latest version of a model line NAD has been refining for years. The “BEE” honors Bjørn Erik Edvardsen, NAD’s longtime Director of Advanced Development, who designed this family of budget amps. The V2 adds a built-in MM phono input, so you can plug a turntable straight in.
The C 316BEE V2 lives in NAD’s Classic Series — NAD’s lineup of analog-focused, value-driven hi-fi components. It’s a traditional Class A/B design with a toroidal transformer and discrete output devices. There is no streaming, no built-in DAC, and no Bluetooth. It plays analog sources through a clean analog signal path.
Why does it matter? How does it improve your listening?
NAD has built its reputation on getting more out of small amplifiers than the spec sheet suggests, and the C 316BEE V2 follows that playbook. The headline number — 40 watts per channel — is a conservative rating taken across the full audio band with both channels driven, which is the honest way to measure.
The more interesting number is dynamic power. Music isn’t a steady test tone; it has loud peaks. NAD’s PowerDrive circuit is designed to deliver bursts of current well above the continuous rating when the music demands it.
NAD publishes IHF dynamic power figures of 90 watts into 8 ohms, 120 watts into 4 ohms, and 170 watts into 2 ohms. (IHF dynamic power is a standard measurement of short-burst output capability.) That’s why a “40-watt” NAD can sound bigger than its rating with the right speakers.
The phono stage is a real one, not a token afterthought. NAD specifies it for moving-magnet (MM) cartridges with accurate RIAA equalization — the standard frequency curve all vinyl records are cut to and that every phono input must reverse to play them back correctly.
The toroidal power transformer matters because it tends to run quieter (less hum, less stray magnetic field) than the cheaper E-I transformers found in many budget amps. Combined with discrete output transistors (rather than chip-amp packages), it’s a more grown-up design than the price suggests.
Who is this best for?
You’re putting together your first real hi-fi system on a careful budget and want a name with a long audiophile reputation behind it.
You have a turntable (or you’re about to buy one) and you want an amp with a built-in phono input — no separate phono preamp required.
You prefer simple, analog-focused gear without streaming, apps, or a built-in DAC complicating things.
You’re driving a pair of efficient bookshelf or compact floorstanding speakers in a small or medium room.
You’d rather spend the money on one well-engineered piece than on a feature-loaded jack-of-all-trades.
How does it connect to your system?
The back panel is refreshingly straightforward. You get five line-level RCA inputs — these accept any standard analog source like a CD player, a streamer, a tuner, or a TV (if it has analog audio outputs).
The MM phono input is for turntables fitted with a moving-magnet cartridge — the most common type, and what almost every entry-level and mid-range turntable ships with. A grounding terminal sits next to it for the turntable’s ground wire.
The front panel adds a 3.5mm input — convenient for plugging in a portable music player, a phone with an adapter, or a laptop on the fly. There’s also a 1/4-inch headphone jack on the front.
For speakers, you get one pair of multi-way binding posts that accept bare wire, banana plugs, or spade lugs. A full-function infrared remote controls volume, input selection, and the basics from your listening seat.
Keep in mind, the C 316BEE V2 needs a pair of speakers and at least one source to make music. If you’re starting from scratch and need help putting the system together, give us a call at 800-942-0220 and we’ll walk you through it.
Professional Reviews
Mark Gusew, StereoNET, September 12, 2020 — Applause Award
StereoNET awarded the C 316BEE V2 its Applause Award — a recognition issued personally by the publication’s editor-in-chief after consultation with the senior editorial team. Gusew highlighted the amp’s organized presentation of musical detail and concluded it carries the company’s giant-killing budget tradition forward into a new generation.
Ian White, ecoustics.com, December 12, 2024
In a long-term review, White went out of his way to say the C 316BEE V2 is the amp he uses every day, despite owning others priced up to $6,000. He uses it as his reference for evaluating sub-$2,000 loudspeakers — a practical endorsement of the amp’s transparency and musical honesty.
Jeff Dorgay, TONEAudio Magazine
Dorgay framed the C 316BEE as a smart foundation for a budget audiophile system, noting that it sounds good, fits almost anywhere, and outperforms what mass-market retailers sell at the same price. His verdict echoes the broader critical consensus: NAD’s budget integrated tradition is alive and well.
Earned Recognition
Category: Integrated Amplifier
StereoNET’s Applause Award is issued personally by the publication’s global editor-in-chief and is not given automatically with every review.
Pairs Well With
Building your system? Here are some great companions.
- Bookshelf speakers — The C 316BEE V2 is at its happiest driving efficient bookshelf speakers in a small or medium room. Browse our bookshelf speakers for matches in this price range.
- A turntable — The built-in MM phono input makes this amp a natural fit for an analog setup. See our turntables for partners in any budget tier.
- Speaker cables — A clean, decent-gauge speaker cable protects everything you’ve paid for in the amp. Browse our speaker cables by length.
- RCA interconnects — You’ll need a good RCA interconnect for each source you’re connecting (CD player, streamer, tuner, etc.).
- Equipment racks — A solid platform helps everything in the chain perform its best. See our audio racks.
- Power conditioners — A clean AC supply lowers the noise floor of every component plugged into it. Browse our power conditioners for options that fit a Classic Series system.
Features & Specifications
PowerDrive Circuit for Real-World Speakers
NAD’s PowerDrive circuit is the technology behind the C 316BEE V2’s reputation for sounding bigger than its 40-watt rating. It continuously adjusts power delivery to the load it sees.
The benefit is extra short-burst current — what engineers call dynamic headroom — when the music demands it. NAD publishes IHF dynamic power of 90W into 8 ohms and 170W into 2 ohms.
A Real MM Phono Stage
The built-in moving-magnet phono input is properly engineered: low noise, accurate RIAA equalization, and generous headroom for hot pressings. RIAA is the standard frequency curve every vinyl record is cut to. Signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 75 dB referenced to a standard 5 mV MM input.
Toroidal Power Transformer
A toroidal (donut-shaped) transformer sits at the heart of the power supply. Compared with traditional E-I transformers, toroidals tend to run cooler, hum less, and radiate less stray magnetic field. That’s a real engineering benefit at this price point.
Discrete Output Devices
Rather than chip-amp packages, the C 316BEE V2 uses individual transistors for the output stage. NAD does this because discrete output devices give the designer more control over the amp’s behavior into difficult speaker loads.
Six Inputs, Front-Panel Aux, Headphone Jack
Five line-level RCA inputs plus the MM phono input give you six sources to choose from. The front-panel 3.5mm input is there for the portable device that happens to be in your hand. A 1/4-inch headphone output on the front handles late-night listening.
Tone Controls with Tone Defeat
Bass (±8 dB at 100 Hz) and treble (±5 dB at 10 kHz) controls let you fine-tune for a difficult recording or a room with too much (or too little) of either.
A Tone Defeat switch takes the tone circuit completely out of the signal path when you don’t want it — a feature audiophiles ask for and budget amps rarely include.
Low Standby Power
Less than 0.5 watt of standby draw — well below current European eco-design thresholds. The amp sips electricity when it’s sitting idle.
Full-Function IR Remote
A real remote with volume, input, mute, and basic transport controls — not the bare-bones stub you sometimes find on budget gear.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Amplifier Performance | |
| Amplifier Class | Class A/B (analog) |
| Continuous Power Output | 40 W per channel into 8 Ω and 4 Ω (20 Hz – 20 kHz, both channels driven) |
| IHF Dynamic Power (per channel) | 90 W into 8 Ω, 120 W into 4 Ω, 170 W into 2 Ω |
| Clipping Power (1 kHz, 0.1% THD) | >45 W into 8 Ω, >60 W into 4 Ω |
| THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz) | <0.03% (250 mW to 40 W, 8 Ω and 4 Ω) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >95 dB (A-weighted, ref. 1 W into 8 Ω) |
| Damping Factor | >200 (ref. 8 Ω, 1 kHz) |
| Frequency Response | ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, Tone Defeat ON) |
| Channel Separation | >70 dB (1 kHz) |
| Tone Controls | Treble: ±5 dB at 10 kHz; Bass: ±8 dB at 100 Hz; defeatable |
| Phono Stage (MM) | |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| Phono THD | <0.03% (1 W to 40 W, 8 Ω and 4 Ω) |
| Phono Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >75 dB with IHF MM cartridge (A-weighted, ref. 5 mV input) |
| Phono RIAA Accuracy | +0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, Tone Defeat ON) |
| Phono Input Sensitivity (40 W into 8 Ω) | 2.95 mV |
| Inputs & Outputs | |
| Line-Level Inputs | 5 × RCA (rear) + 1 × 3.5 mm front-panel input |
| Phono Input | 1 × MM (RCA) with grounding terminal |
| Speaker Output | 1 pair of multi-way binding posts (gold-plated) |
| Headphone Output | 1/4″ front-panel jack |
| Remote Control | Full-function IR remote included |
| Power & Physical | |
| Standby Power | < 0.5 W |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 90 × 435 × 285 mm (3-9/16″ × 17-1/8″ × 11-1/4″) |
| Net Weight | 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs) |
| Warranty | 2 years, parts and labor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What else do I need to use the C 316BEE V2?
You’ll need a pair of speakers, speaker cables, and at least one source — a turntable, CD player, streamer, or anything else with a line-level output. The C 316BEE V2 is a complete amp-and-preamp combination, so beyond those, you’re set. If you’re building from scratch, call us and we’ll help you pick a matched system.
Is this amp a good match for my speakers?
Matching an amplifier to your speakers depends on power output, speaker sensitivity, and impedance — and the right answer depends on your specific speakers and room. Our team does this every day. Give us a call at 800-942-0220 (weekdays 9am–6pm EST) and we’ll help you dial it in.
What are the differences between Class A, Class A/B, and Class D amplifiers? Which one is this?
The C 316BEE V2 is a Class A/B amplifier. Class A runs the output transistors fully on at all times — very clean, but hot and inefficient. Class B turns them on only when needed — efficient, but with switching artifacts in the middle.
Class A/B blends both: Class A for the first few watts (the most-used range) and Class B for higher output. It’s the traditional, time-proven approach for analog hi-fi amps. Class D uses a switching design that’s more efficient but takes a different engineering approach.
Does this have a built-in phono stage?
Yes. The C 316BEE V2 has a built-in moving-magnet (MM) phono input on the back panel — designed for turntables with an MM cartridge, which covers most entry-level and mid-range tables. NAD specifies it with accurate RIAA equalization and signal-to-noise over 75 dB. Moving-coil (MC) cartridges need an external phono stage.
Does this have BluOS streaming built in?
No. BluOS is NAD’s high-resolution streaming platform (also used in Bluesound products), and it’s reserved for NAD’s network-enabled models. The C 316BEE V2 is a pure analog integrated — no BluOS, no Bluetooth, no built-in DAC. To stream, add a separate streamer or streamer-DAC into one of the line-level inputs.
Does this support Dirac Live room correction?
No. Dirac Live is a digital room-correction system that measures your room and adjusts the signal to compensate. It needs a digital signal path and a network-connected platform like NAD’s Masters Series. The C 316BEE V2 is analog only. If room correction is a priority, ask us about the NAD M33 or C 3050.
How does this compare to the next NAD model up?
NAD’s Classic Series steps up from the C 316BEE V2 to the C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier — more power, a built-in DAC, and room for an optional BluOS streaming module. The C 316BEE V2 is the simpler, more affordable analog option. Call us and we’ll help you decide which fits.
Will it drive my speakers loud enough?
For efficient bookshelf or compact floorstanding speakers in a small or medium room, yes. The 40W continuous rating, combined with high dynamic power (170W into 2 ohms via PowerDrive), gives more headroom than the basic spec implies. For demanding floorstanders in a large room, a higher-powered NAD like the C 379 may suit you better.
Does it have a subwoofer output?
No, the C 316BEE V2 doesn’t include a dedicated subwoofer output. If you want to add a subwoofer to this amp, the cleanest approach is a sub with high-level (speaker-level) inputs that taps off the amp’s speaker terminals. Give us a call and we’ll point you to the right model.
What’s in the Box
- NAD C 316BEE V2 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
- AMP 4 remote control
- CR2025 battery (for the remote)
- AC power cable
- Quick Setup Guide
- Warranty information
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