The C 368 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by NAD that delivers 80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2017. It is a 2-channel design using a Class D output stage. Bridged to mono it delivers 300 watts x 1-channel (@ 20-20kHz, into 8Ω, at 0.03% THD), which is the usual way to use a pair of these on a demanding speaker. 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 368 has an MSRP of $1,199.
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 368 is rated at 80 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:
- 80 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.03%
- 80 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 98dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 80 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 368?
80 W into 8 ohms, 80 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 368 is rated at 80 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 368 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 368 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the NAD C 368 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 368, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
NAD C 368 has total of 2 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
NAD C 368 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- 1/4 Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
NAD C 368 features built-in Bluetooth 4.0 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 368 supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Bluetooth Transmitter:NAD C 368 can also act as a Bluetooth transmitter, making it possible to stream the music from the amp to your bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Phono Input
NAD C 368 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 368 has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with NAD C 368 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The NAD C 368's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
NAD C 368 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Damping factor of 300 means a low output impedance and firm control over a woofer.
- ✓Class D output stage, so it runs cool and wastes little power as heat - which is how it fits in a small case.
- ✓Built-in DAC, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical, 2 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM), so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Bluetooth (version 4.0 and AptX) for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓A and B speaker terminals, for a second pair or for bi-wiring.
- ✓Headphone output (1/4).
- ✓Has tone controls.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- ✗Output rises only from 80 to 80 watts when the load halves to 4 ohms, so it is happier with an easy 8 ohm speaker than a demanding one.
- ✗The phono stage is moving-magnet only; a moving-coil cartridge would need a step-up or an external stage.
NAD C 368 External Dimensions and Weight
NAD C 368 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 4inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-5/8inch (102.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm ). The unit weighs
7.82 kg (17.2 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 368 is approximately 1840.1cm2 / 285.2inch2.
- Width: 435.0mm (17-1/8")
- Height: 102.0mm (4")
- Depth: 423.0mm (16-5/8")
- Weight: 7.82 kg (17.2 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1840.1cm2 / 285.2inch2
- Volume: ~18.8 liter / 5.0 gallon
What's in the Box of NAD C 368?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of C 368:
- Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Bluetooth antenna
- Remote control (SR 9)
- 2 AA batteries
- Quick Setup Guide
- Warranty Information
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the NAD C 368 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for NAD C 368
Warranty
2 Years of parts warranty and 2 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the NAD C 368 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
NAD |
| Full Model Name |
NAD C 368 |
| Release Date |
2017 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class D |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
80 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
80 watts |
| Bridged Power per Channel |
300 watts x 1-channel (@ 20-20kHz, into 8Ω, at 0.03% THD) |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| Damping Factor |
300 |
| THD |
0.03% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
98 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
2 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| USB Type |
USB-A(Service Only) |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
102.0mm (4") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17-1/8") |
| Depth |
423.0mm (16-5/8") |
| Weight |
7.82 kg (17.2 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |