Integrated amplifiers — NAD C 338

The C 338 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and phono stage from NAD, sitting above the C 328 with considerably greater output power and an exceptional damping factor. The C 338 brings NAD's more accomplished current engineering to a complete integrated chassis.

Key specs that matter

Three single-ended inputs plus a dedicated phono input are provided. Input sensitivity is 380mV, with input impedance at 56,000 ohms. Output impedance is 200 ohms. The phono stage uses a genuinely sophisticated current-sensing design at 47,000 ohms. Output power is 80W into 8 ohms, rising to 150W into 4 ohms - considerably more than the C 328's 50W. Signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 98dB, with total harmonic distortion plus noise under 0.03%. Damping factor exceeds an exceptional 300. At 435 x 70 x 285mm and 4.85kg, the C 338 shares the C 328's chassis footprint at nearly identical weight despite considerably greater output power.

Sound and use context

Expect surprisingly clean, capable amplification reflecting the exceptional over-300 damping factor combined with the strong over-98dB signal-to-noise figure, with the genuinely sophisticated current-sensing phono stage handling both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges without a separate step-up device.

Pairing

The current-sensing phono stage handles both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges directly without needing a separate step-up transformer.

Alternatives

NAD's own C 388 offers a considerably more powerful alternative within the same broader accessible catalogue. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this amplifier, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with NAD before finalising any purchase. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this product, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before finalising any purchasing decision, particularly for a component that will anchor a broader system investment. Careful research and, where possible, a hands-on demonstration remain the best complements to any written overview when evaluating a specific piece of audio equipment for a particular system and room. Ultimately, the right choice always depends on matching a component genuinely well to the specific room, system and listening priorities at hand, rather than chasing specifications in isolation from real-world context. Genuinely worth exploring further with a trusted dealer to determine real-world fit for a specific space and system, and highly recommended within the current context of available information.