NAD has a distinct reputation for creating some of the best performing budget amplifiers ever seen. The lineage is impressive, from 3020 1978 to the current C 328, with many "Best Amp" awards and five-star reviews along the way. The C 316BEE has lived up to expectations, winning numerous awards including an EISA award for "Best Product 2008-2009" and the best recommendations from the world's leading audio publications. With the revival of vinyl we decided to upgrade the design to include NAD's acclaimed RIAA phono stage. This sophisticated circuit combines low noise with high overhead to eliminate noise and distortion. The RIAA equalization is extremely accurate (a rarity at this price) and there is even an infrasonic filter to repel vibrations in the air that can cause parasitic feedback.

IMPROVE THE BUDGET REFERENCE AMPLIFIER

Proven technology enhanced by innovation

NAD's PowerDrive circuit has been shown to offer an extraordinary combination of high current necessary for complex speaker loads and high levels of undistorted dynamic power. By monitoring the precise operating conditions of the power amplifier, PowerDrive uses this intelligence to automatically optimize the power settings in order to obtain a uniform distortion and maximum power in the real world of music listening. As described in our best Masters series models, PowerDrive uses a complex "analog computer" to determine the optimal settings. For C 316BEE V2, the director of advanced development NAD, Bjorn Erik Edvardsen, has developed a new intelligent computing circuit that requires fewer parts at a much lower cost without any reduction in effectiveness.
All the distinctive features of NAD technology are present, from the generous toroidal transformer and the low ESR capacitors, to the various secondary regulated power supplies, to the discrete output transistors for heavy use, the C 316BEE V2 is refined and sophisticated like the other NAD Amplifiers.

Value

We are confident that the C 316BEE V2 will set new benchmarks for performance, both measured and audible, at this affordable price point. Unless you have power-hungry speakers, listen to dangerously high levels or have a very large room, the C 316BEE V2 will be the amplifier for you. The basic specifications for noise, distortion, power, stereo separation and volume control tracking are all top notch and would be impressive on an amplifier that costs many times its modest price.

Simplicity

While the C 316BEE V2 has everything you need for musical enjoyment, it is pleasantly limited to the essentials: six inputs, a set of speakers, a headphone jack and a full-function remote control. It has a compact size and a beautiful but sober exterior. NAD is essential.

While its bells and whistles may not be as extensive as our more expensive offerings, the C 316V2 is far from a "bare" product. With five line-level inputs, an MM phono input, a full IR remote control, mutable tone controls and a front panel input for a phone or tablet, the C 316V2 is fully equipped to be the control center for a music system high performance. The continuous power is 40 watts conservative and the dynamic power (most important for listening to music) is over 100 watts awesome! This is a much more usable power within the reach of other amplifiers at this price, and this power is available on the whole audible band to a class that carries 0.03%.

The result of this high technology is a relaxed and inviting sound that digs the subtle details into your favorite recordings and presents them on a panoramic stereo stage. The impressive reserves of dynamic power make the C 316BEE V2 an articulate and lively sound. The quiet background and the low distortion give a sense of solidity and presence to your music and bring out the best that your speakers have to offer

Features

• PowerDrive
• 5 line level inputs
• MM phono input for vinyl
• Front panel input for portable media players
• Bass and treble controls
• Tone Defeat (Bypass)
• Headphone output
• IR remote control
• Multidirectional speaker binding post
• Gold plated RCA sockets
• Toroidal power transformer
• <0.5 W Standby consumption
• Colour: Graphite

HEADPHONE INPUT / OUTPUT

• THD (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• <0.03% in 300 ohm at 2 V output
• Signal to noise ratio
• > 100 dB (A-weighted, 32 ohm, ref. 2V, unit gain)
• Frequency response
• ± 0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• Output impedance
• 8 ohms
• SPEAKER ENTRY / EXIT
• Continuous output power on 8 ohms and 4 ohms
• 40 W (reference 20 Hz - 20 kHz with nominal THD, both channels controlled)
• THD (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• <0.03% (from 250 mW to 40 W, 8 ohm and 4 ohm)
• Signal to noise ratio
• > 95 dB (weighted input, input 500 mV, ref. 1 W in 8 ohms)
• > 97 dB (weighted input, input 500 mV, unity gain in 32 ohms)
• Cutting power (at 1 kHz 0.1% THD)
• > 45 W in 8 ohms
• > 60 W in 4 ohms
• IHF dynamic power supply
• 8 ohm: 90 W
• 4 ohm: 120 W
• 2 ohm: 170 W
• Attenuation factor
• > 200 (reference 8 ohm, 1 kHz)
• Frequency response
• ± 0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Tone Defeat ON)
• High: ± 5 dB at 10 kHz
• Low: ± 8 dB at 100 Hz
• Channel separation
• > 70 dB (1 kHz)
• Maximum input level
• 4.3 V (1 kHz THD 0.1%)
• Input sensitivity (for 40 W in 8 ohms)
• 200 mV
• Standby power
• <0.5 W

PHONO IN / SPEAKER OUT

• THD (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• <0.03% (1 to 40 W, 8 ohm and 4 ohm)
• Signal to noise ratio
• > 75 dB with IHF MM cartridge (A weighted, ref input 5mV 1 kHz and 1W output in 8 ohms)
• Frequency response (RIAA deviation)
• +0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Tone Defeat ON)
• Maximum input level
• 71 mV (1 kHz THD 0.1%)
• Input sensitivity (for 40 W on 8 ohms
• 2.95 mV

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

• Gross dimensions (L x H x D)
• 17 1/8 x 3 9/16 x 11 1/4 inches
• 435 x 90 x 285 mm
• Net weight
• 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs)
• Shipping weight
• 6.4 kg (14.1 pounds)