NAD C 268 Stereo Power Amplifier

Remarkably Feature-Rich and Affordable Powerhouse

NAD's C 268 is a new affordable stereo amplifier designed for multiple applications. Among some of the most common uses, the C 268 can be used in a traditional setup with a preamplifier, for bi-amping loudspeakers or as a slave amp. This powerhouse is even bridgeable, transforming its ample output from 80 X 2 to a remarkable 300 watts.

With the C 268, 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. Although Class D was 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.

Vast Reserves of Dynamic Power

The power supply of the C 268 is capable of nearly 200 watts and over 500 watts of instantaneous power to allow for short term musical transients. The innovative Asymmetrical PowerDrive design fully utilizes every watt available and with its vast reserves of dynamic power available is able 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.

NAD's 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.

Basic Yet Feature Rich

The C 268 may be a basic power amp, but NAD has carefully thought through all the possible applications typically encountered to create a rich feature content. 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 a 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 amazingly powerful single-channel 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.

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.

"For over forty years, NAD has developed a worldwide reputation for great-sounding, best-in-class amplifiers and the C 268 is certainly no exception.," commented Greg Stidsen, Director of Technology and Product Planning for NAD. "Even at an affordable price, this amp provides advanced technology and a rich feature set that allows the user to benefit from the C 268 in a variety of applications from basic stereo amp to a powerful monoblock."

• 80 watts X 2 continuous power into 8 or 4 Ohms
• Bridgeable to become powerful 300-watt monoblock amp
• Power supply is capable of nearly 200 watts continuously and over 500 watts instantaneously
• 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
• Ground lug eliminates ground loops

• 80W X 2 continuous power into 8 Ohms
• 80W X 2 continuous power into 4 Ohms
• 300W x 1 continuous power into 8 or 4 Ohms

The Absolute Sound Review of NAD C 658 and NAD C 298

"The C658 and C298 can serve as the heart of a capable and powerful music system. The C658 streaming DAC is loaded with all the features needed in today’s digital streaming world, has expandable inputs to accommodate future interfaces, and the BluOS app provides easy and intuitive control over a music library. The C658 can also serve as the heart of a whole-house wireless system. The C298 amplifier is a powerhouse that will drive virtually any loudspeaker. It also has qualities that are consistent with much more expensive amplifiers, including superb soundstaging, clarity of instrumental line, and good resolution of timbre. Bass and dynamics are spectacular, with excellent rendering of pitch and clarity of bass lines. The overall sound is slightly forward in perspective through the midrange and treble, a character that suggests attention to system matching. I can see the C298 delivering terrific performance when paired with much more expensive components. It’s that good."

"I would have recommended this pair without Dirac Live, but this DSP speaker- and room-correction system vaults the performance to a new level, without the sonic compromises I’ve heard from some other DSP systems. The improvement in bass extension, clarity, and dynamics is astounding. The full-frequency version of Dirac brings newfound image specificity along with far more lifelike reproduction of transients."

"Considered alone or as a duo, the C658 and C298 deliver exceptional performance and value."

- Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound, April 5, 2021