NAD C368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier - New Open Box

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General:

Very capable single box solution. New in open box. Tested and working perfectly.

More from NAD:
With the C 368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier, your home audio system will never fall behind the pack.

Thanks to our MDC technology, the C 368 is easily customisable and ready for all future features and upgrades. With the optional BluOS® module, the C 368 can connect to your network and be controlled through a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, and connect wirelessly to any other BluOS Enabled device to create a multi-room High Resolution Audio system.

You can also instantly connect to the C 368 through Bluetooth, giving you the ability to stream wirelessly from any Bluetooth Enabled device, and if you’re a vinyl fan, you can also add a turntable. Enjoying music has never been so easy. A totally modern approach to amplification, the C 368 is the ultimate amp for any music lover’s system.

Introducing the NAD C 368.

Getting it Right:
We never overlook the most crucial of requirements. From low noise circuits to precise volume control action, to accurate channel balance and proper input and output impedance characteristics, we here at NAD do everything we can to get these things exactly right.

We also include an MM Phono stage with precisely accurate RIAA equalization, high overload margins, extremely low noise, and an innovative circuit to suppress infrasonic noise that is present on all LPs – all without affecting bass response.

Our line inputs can accommodate all kinds of analogue source components by offering ideal input impedance characteristics with linear ultra-low-noise buffer amplifiers to prevent any sonic degradation. We include a separate headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage capability – enough to drive even high impedance studio monitor headphones. Low impedance line outputs that can connect to subwoofers extend the versatility of this well thought out amplifier.

Forward Thinking

Modular Design Construction (MDC), allows you to customise your NAD amplifier with additional capabilities and features, now or in the future. The two available MDC slots can accommodate a variety of upgrade modules including 4K video capable HDMI switching, additional Digital Inputs, additional Analogue and Phono Inputs, and one of the most advanced Hi-Res Audio multi-room wireless systems available, the BluOS music management system developed by Bluesound. BluOS connects to your network and is controlled via smartphone, tablet or desktop to manage your music collection and connect you to a growing list of high-quality streaming music services.

Instant Connection

You can connect instantly to the C 368 with Bluetooth® aptX®, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device. Bluetooth can also be used to listen to other sources connected to the C 368 via wireless headphones. Adding the optional BluOS Module provides access to your local area network via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connection and adds Hi-Res Audio streaming. The BluOS Module also makes the C 368 a single-zone streamer in a complete multi-room wireless music system that is fully compatible with BluOS Enabled music systems and wireless speakers.

Sophisticated Power
In the last few years, NAD has moved away from the old-fashioned linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste energy, and have instead developed even better performing circuits based on switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages. Once thought to be inferior to traditional topologies, NAD’s advanced work in this area has created some of the best performing amplifiers regardless of basic design principle. These new designs are very linear over a wide bandwidth and provide consistent performance into all speaker loads, providing a dramatic advance over previous models.

Furthermore, the power supply is capable of 80 watts continuously and over 120 watts instantaneously to allow for short-term musical transients. It can operate with any AC mains voltage from 100 to 240 volts and provides pure DC power to all the various stages of the C 368. This highly efficient supply also provides near perfect regulation of voltage across a wide range of conditions and provides a solid noise-free foundation for the amplifying stages.

The C 368 uses a customized version of the proven Hypex UcD output stage. This allows for massive power with nearly unmeasurable distortion and noise in the audible range. Every detail of this design has been carefully planned and perfectly executed to produce every last drop of performance.

Key Features
- 80W x 2 Continuous power into 8 or 4 Ohms
- Bluetooth A2DP with aptX supported
- MM Phono input
- Analogue line inputs
- SPDIF coax and optical inputs
- Speaker A, Speaker B
- Stereo or Bridge mode configuration
- Preamp/Subwoofer out
- Headphone amplifier
- MDC Slots for future upgrades
- IR Remote
- Smartphone Control App
- 12V Trigger in/out
- IR in/out
- RS-232 Serial port for control
- Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, AMX, Savant, Elan certified

General Sound:
Neutral sound with little to no coloration

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, remote, manual, accessories, and power cord.

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Original MSRP:
$1,199.00

The SkyFi Testing Process for Integrated Amplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

If the device has the ability to decouple the preamplifier from the power amplifier, we remove the jumpers and independently test each section. If the device cannot be decoupled, we assess the electronic condition of the piece by analyzing the speaker level output only.

We start by connecting the “preout” jacks of the integrated to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope. We then switch to a 1KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment. Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp section is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve.

Next, we test the power amplifier section by connecting the integrated’s speaker outputs to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1KHz test signal at the “main in” jacks and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping. At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance.We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1KHz square wave check and a 20Hz to 20KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier’s frequency response characteristics. This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.

If the preamp and power amp both pass these tests, we reconnect the sections and verify that the preamp section can drive the power amp to rated power with a 1KHz tone on one of the line level inputs.

Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.

If the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.

The SkyFi Testing Process for DACs: 

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect resistors and other passive components for signs of overheating.

After the visual inspection we connect the DAC’s RCA outputs to our Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates a real world input impedance and allows us to monitor the output on an oscilloscope. We are equipped to test optical, coaxial, and USB inputs at Redbook CD Quality. We start with a test signal to verify signal lock and proper output on both channels. If the DAC has balanced outputs these are also tested at this time. If the DAC has multiple Optical and Coaxial inputs they are all checked for proper lock. USB inputs are tested with a Macbook Pro.

After proper function is verified, we set the DAC up for a listening test to evaluate general audio reproduction quality and monitor for clicks, pops, or any other audible signs of issues related to dropped signal lock or failing audio output stages. We often connect DACs under evaluation to our long term test rig for a long test stint to verify stability under real world operating conditions.