NAD C 268 Power Amplifier

Eighty Watts, and Three Hundred If You Need Them

The C 268 is NAD's entry into separates, and it is more adaptable than its price suggests. Eighty watts per channel into 8 ohms in stereo, and 300 watts if you bridge a pair of them to mono.

That is a genuine upgrade path rather than a specification footnote. Buy one now to drive a pair of speakers, and add a second later to make monoblocks, without selling the first.

It uses NAD's HybridDigital UcD amplification. That is why an amplifier making this much power weighs only 7.3kg, needs no fan, and has no heatsink you can see on the outside of it.

Inside the Chassis

Distortion stays under 0.03% from a quarter of a watt right up to the full 80, into 8 ohms and 4 ohms alike. That lower figure matters more than the upper one, because it is where domestic listening actually happens.

Frequency response holds within 0.3dB across the audible band. The damping factor is better than 100 from 20Hz right through to 20kHz, which is what keeps a woofer under control rather than letting it ring on after the note.

Input sensitivity is 750mV into 50k ohms, and both balanced and single-ended inputs are fitted as standard. The chassis is 435mm wide, 100mm high and 390mm deep, and the whole amplifier weighs 7.3kg.

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

• You are building your first separates system — eighty watts per channel is enough for most speakers in most rooms, at a price that leaves budget for the preamplifier and the speakers that matter as much.
• You expect the system to grow — a second C 268 bridges the pair to 300 watts of mono each, so the amplifier you buy now becomes half a monoblock rig rather than a trade-in.
• Space or heat is a constraint — HybridDigital UcD amplification means 7.3kg, 100mm of height and no fan, so it slides into a rack or a cabinet without a ventilation plan.
• You want low distortion at low volume — THD stays under 0.03% from 250 milliwatts upward, which is the range most listening actually occupies, rather than only at full output.
• You are choosing the control stage yourself — the volume and the inputs belong to the preamp, and Masters M66 BluOS is the matched one

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect your preamplifier by balanced or single-ended input. Speakers go to the binding posts. For mono operation, set each amplifier to bridged mode before connecting anything.

There is no fan and no minimum clearance to plan around, so it can sit in a cabinet or a rack alongside other components.

Pairs Well With

Here are some great companions:

• Preamplifier: Required, and the natural next decision — see our Preamplifiers.
• Speaker Cables: Carry the current properly — see our Speaker Cables.
• Interconnects: Balanced XLR is the better run from preamp to amp — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: Give the amplifier a proper shelf — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does it make?

80 watts per channel into 8 ohms in stereo, with both channels driven. Bridged to mono it makes 300 watts into 8 ohms.

Can I use two as monoblocks?

Yes. That is the usual upgrade path: a second C 268 bridges the pair to 300 watts each.

What is HybridDigital UcD?

NAD's switching amplifier technology. It is why an 80-watt amplifier weighs 7.3kg, runs cool and needs no fan.

What inputs does it have?

Balanced and single-ended inputs, with sensitivity of 750mV into 50k ohms.

How big is it?

435mm wide, 100mm high and 390mm deep, weighing 7.3kg.

What warranty does it carry?

NAD's warranty is set by the distributor in each country rather than published as one global term. Call us on 800-942-0220 and we will confirm the US term before you order.

See It in Action

A full review of the C 268 driving real loudspeakers:

A tour of NAD's amplifier range with the C 268 in it:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about power amplifiers, bridging an amplifier to mono, or building a separates system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.