The C 359S is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by NAD that delivers 70 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 120 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms, both channels driven, 20 Hz-80 kHz. It was released in October 2026. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. Speakers connect via binding posts. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The NAD C 359S has an MSRP of $1,299.
There are 10 NAD amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
NAD Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The NAD C 359S is rated at 70 watts RMS into 8-ohms. NAD provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.03% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 70 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.03%
- 120 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 90dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 70 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the NAD C 359S?
70 W into 8 ohms, 120 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
NAD C 359S is rated at 70 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 61 to 90 watts band. The next band up is 91 to 120 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the Up to 60 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the NAD C 359S with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the NAD C 359S Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the NAD C 359S amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | Poor |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the NAD C 359S, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
NAD C 359S has total of 3 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
- Phono Input
- 1 Optical Digital Input
- 0 Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Yes Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (1)
Bluetooth Connectivity
NAD C 359S features built-in Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
NAD C 359S supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Phono Input
NAD C 359S features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
Subwoofer Output
NAD C 359S has a dedicated subwoofer output which can be used to connect it directly to a powered subwoofer via an LFE(Low Frequency Effects) cable.
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with NAD C 359S amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The NAD C 359S's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
NAD C 359S Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Power nearly doubles into a harder load, 70 watts into 8 ohms rising to 120 into 4, which points to a power supply with real current in reserve.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 24-bit / 192 and MQA, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM), so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Streams over the network without a separate streamer: Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music and TuneIn; Roon and BluOS.
- ✓Bluetooth (version 5.0 and AptX HD) for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Dedicated subwoofer output (1).
- ✓Headphone output.
- ✓Has tone controls.
- ✓Made in China.
- ✓App control (BluOS Controller).
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC).
- ✗The phono stage is moving-magnet only; a moving-coil cartridge would need a step-up or an external stage.
NAD C 359S External Dimensions and Weight
NAD C 359S has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 3-15/16 x 17-1/8 x 15-3/4 inch (100 x 435 x 400 mm ). The unit weighs
8.9 kg (19.6 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the NAD C 359S is approximately 1740.0cm2 / 269.7inch2.
- Width: 435.0mm (17-1/8")
- Height: 100.0mm (3-15/16")
- Depth: 400.0mm (15-3/4")
- Weight: 8.9 kg (19.6 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1740.0cm2 / 269.7inch2
- Volume: ~17.4 liter / 4.6 gallon
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the NAD C 359S Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for NAD C 359S
| General |
| Brand |
NAD |
| Full Model Name |
NAD C 359S |
| Release Date |
October 2026 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
70 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
120 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| Damping Factor |
210 |
| THD |
0.03% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
90 dB |
| Signal to Noise Ratio (MM) |
82 |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
Yes |
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
|
| Apple AirPlay2 |
|
| DTS Play-Fi |
|
| Chromecast built-in |
|
| Roon |
Yes |
| HEOS |
|
| BluOS |
Yes |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
3 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
1 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
0 |
| USB Input |
No |
| Preamp Outputs |
No |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC |
| Speaker Connectors |
Binding posts |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
100.0mm (3-15/16") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17-1/8") |
| Depth |
400.0mm (15-3/4") |
| Weight |
8.9 kg (19.6 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
|
| Labor Warranty |
|