NAD C 316BEE V2 Integrated Amplifier - Phono Included

A Legendary Budget Amp, Refined

The C 316BEE V2 carries forward one of NAD's most enduring nameplates. Almost nothing else at its price has introduced more people to genuinely good stereo sound. That has always been this amplifier's job. The V2 keeps at it.

NAD's PowerDrive technology sits behind the output. Continuous power is 40 watts per channel, into 8 or 4 ohms alike. Dynamic power goes further. It reaches 90 watts at 8 ohms, and 120 watts at 4 ohms. That headroom handles musical peaks without strain.

Your Turntable, Your Phone, and Your Headphones

Five line-level inputs cover a real range of sources. A built-in moving-magnet phono stage welcomes a turntable straight in. No outboard preamp is required. A front-panel 3.5mm input takes a phone or tablet directly. A dedicated headphone output rounds out the panel.

Shape the Sound, or Leave It Alone

A tone circuit gives you bass and treble controls. It is defeatable, which is the important part. Leave it engaged to shape the sound. Switch it out and the signal routes straight through. That is the cleanest possible path.

Built Small, Built to Last

The C 316BEE V2 weighs just over 12 pounds. The footprint is genuinely compact. It fits into a system without demanding space that system does not have. Standby power draws less than half a watt.

That makes the C 316BEE V2 efficient to leave connected. A full-function remote control is included. It handles volume, source switching and mute from the listening chair itself. NAD backs the amplifier with a 2-year warranty.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Mark Gusew reviewed the C 316BEE V2 for StereoNET on September 12, 2020. He called it a "pleasant and balanced sounding amplifier with a clean, articulate and fairly neutral sound." He praised its "pleasing tonality."

He also heard "realistic guitar, piano and vocal sound with good treble extension." Detail retrieval struck him as "surprisingly strong." The soundstage was "surprisingly expansive." He rated the headphone output "quite a good sounding thing." Its tonality was balanced too.

Good Enough for a Budget Turntable

He called the built-in phono stage "easily good enough for budget turntables." StereoNET gave the C 316BEE V2 an Applause Award. The score was 7.5 out of 10. Gusew concluded it "covered all the bases rather well" as the foundation for an entry-level system.

Who Is This Integrated Amplifier Best For?

• You're building your first real stereo system — a proven, approachable design with everything a beginner needs built in.
• You play vinyl on a moving-magnet cartridge — a built-in phono stage skips the need for an outboard preamp.
• You want to plug in a phone or tablet easily — a front-panel 3.5mm input handles portable sources without reaching around back.
• You listen on headphones sometimes — a dedicated headphone output is built in.
• If you want more power for larger speakers, 40 watts per channel suits modest rooms and efficient bookshelf speakers — NAD's own C 328 steps up the output for bigger spaces.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect your speakers to the binding posts and your turntable to the built-in phono input. Five RCA line inputs cover additional analog sources, and the front-panel 3.5mm jack takes a phone or tablet directly. Headphones plug into the front panel as well, and the defeatable tone controls are there whenever you want to shape the sound or bypass them entirely.

From there, the included remote puts the rest in your hands.

Pairs Well With

Building around the C 316BEE V2? Here are some great companions:

• Turntable: Put the built-in MM phono stage to work — see our Turntables.
• Speakers: An efficient bookshelf pair suits its scale — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Cables: Quality RCA interconnects and speaker cable complete the system — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: A tidy home for a compact amplifier — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does it deliver?

40 watts per channel continuous into 8 or 4 ohms, with dynamic power up to 120 watts.

Does it have a phono stage?

Yes, a built-in moving-magnet phono stage for direct turntable connection.

Does it have a headphone output?

Yes, a dedicated headphone jack on the front panel.

Can I connect my phone directly?

Yes, a front-panel 3.5mm input accepts a phone or tablet.

Does it come with a remote control?

Yes, a full-function remote handles volume, source switching, and mute.

What warranty does it carry?

NAD covers the C 316BEE V2 with a 2-year warranty.

See It in Action

Desktop HIFI calls the C 316BEE V2 great sound at an affordable price:

EvoGrid asks whether it's the best budget amplifier for bookshelf speakers:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about integrated amplifiers, phono stages, or building your first two-channel system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.