Интегральные усилители — NAD C 316BEE V2

The C 316BEE V2 is the entry model of NAD's Classic Series of stereo integrated amplifiers. It continues the line of affordable NAD integrateds that began with the 3020 in 1978, and the V2 update added a moving-magnet phono stage to the earlier C 316BEE while keeping the compact chassis and the brand's focus on current delivery into real loudspeaker loads.

Key specs that matter

Continuous power is 40 W per channel into 8 or 4 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with both channels driven, at under 0.03% THD. Clipping power at 1 kHz is above 45 W into 8 ohms and above 60 W into 4 ohms. IHF dynamic power reaches 90 W into 8 ohms, 120 W into 4 ohms and 170 W into 2 ohms. Damping factor exceeds 200, and line-level signal-to-noise is above 95 dB (A-weighted, ref. 1 W). Line input sensitivity is 200 mV. The MM phono stage has 2.95 mV sensitivity, 71 mV overload margin and RIAA accuracy within 0.3 dB. The unit measures 435 x 90 x 285 mm and weighs 5.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

NAD's PowerDrive circuit adjusts the operating point of the output stage to the load the speaker presents, allowing short bursts of current well above the continuous rating before clipping. That explains the gap between its continuous and dynamic ratings. The power supply uses a toroidal transformer, which generates less stray magnetic field and mechanical hum than the E-I type common in budget amplifiers, together with low-ESR smoothing capacitors and discrete output transistors. Inputs comprise five line-level RCA inputs, the MM phono input and a front 3.5 mm socket for portable players. Bass and treble controls can be bypassed with a Tone Defeat switch, and there is a front headphone output and an IR remote. Tone ranges are 8 dB at 100 Hz for bass and 5 dB at 10 kHz for treble. The headphone stage has 8 ohm output impedance and stays below 0.03% THD into 300 ohms at 2 V. Channel separation exceeds 70 dB at 1 kHz, and standby consumption is below 0.5 W.

Pairing

The dynamic power reserve lets it drive 4 ohm speakers and moderate-sensitivity stand-mounts of around 86 to 88 dB in rooms up to about 20 m2. A turntable with an MM cartridge or a high-output MC connects directly, while low-output MC cartridges need an external step-up. There is no DAC, so a streamer or CD player with analogue outputs is required.

Alternatives

NAD's C 338 adds a DAC, Bluetooth and Chromecast streaming to a Classic Series chassis with 50 W per channel.