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  3. Bose Music Amplifier vs NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
Bose Music Amplifier vs NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
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Amp to replace
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Bose Music Amplifier

Integrated Amplifier | 125 watts RMS into 4-ohms

Bose Music Amplifier
Check price atAmazon›
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NAD C 368 BluOS-2i

Integrated Amplifier | 80 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
Check price atAmazon›
Bose Music Amplifier Bose Music Amplifier
Check price atAmazon›
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
Check price atAmazon›
Bose Music Amplifier
See at AMAZON
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
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Bose Music Amplifier vs NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Music Amplifier and C 368 BluOS-2i, two Integrated Amplifiers from Bose and NAD. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Bose Music Amplifier and NAD C 368 BluOS-2i first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsBose Music AmplifierNAD C 368 BluOS-2i
BrandBose
United States · founded 1964
NAD
Canada · founded 1972
Power125 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier classClass DClass D
Built-in DACYesYes
Phono input—Yes
Headphone output—1/4
BluetoothYesYes
Weight—7.80kg / 17.2lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)2.8" x 8.8" x 8.8"
71.1mm x 223.5mm x 223.5mm
4" x 17-1/8" x 16-5/8"
102.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm

The rest of this page covers where each one wins, how they compare in size, their inputs and outputs, the full specifications and a verdict.


Reasons to choose Bose Music Amplifier over NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
MSRP Price(*) 579USD vs 1,749USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Watts into 4-ohms 125 watts vs 80 watts Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
Built-in Chromecast Yes vs No Compatible with Chromecast Streaming
Built-in Chromecast Yes vs No Compatible with Chromecast Streaming
Base Surface Area 499.5cm2/ 77.4inch2 vs 1840.1cm2/ 285.2inch2 takes less space in your room
Height 71mm vs 102mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose NAD C 368 BluOS-2i over Bose Music Amplifier
Handheld Remote Yes vs No Control the amplifier by the included RC
PhonoInput Yes vs No Connect a turntable directly to your amp
Optical Digital Inputs 2 vs 1 More options for connecting Digital sources
USB Input Yes vs Connect Sources via USB

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTBose Music Amplifier front: 224 x 71 mm (8.8 x 2.8 in)NAD C 368 BluOS-2i front: 435 x 102 mm (17.1 x 4 in)Bose Music Amplifier224 × 71 mmNAD C 368 BluOS-2i435 × 102 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTBose Music Amplifier footprint: 224 x 224 mm (8.8 x 8.8 in)NAD C 368 BluOS-2i footprint: 435 x 423 mm (17.1 x 16.7 in)Bose Music Amplifier224 × 224 mmNAD C 368 BluOS-2i435 × 423 mm
Both amplifiers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, aligned at the back panels the way they would sit against a wall, so the deeper one visibly stands further out.

NAD C 368 BluOS-2i needs about 268% more shelf area. NAD C 368 BluOS-2i is 200mm deeper - the measurement that decides whether a rack door closes. NAD C 368 BluOS-2i is 31mm taller.

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the Bose Music Amplifier and NAD C 368 BluOS-2i differs from each other.

Bose Music Amplifier Inputs
  • 1 Optical Digital Input
  • Ethernet Port
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
  • Phono Input
  • 2 Optical Digital Input
  • 2 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB-A(Thumbdrive/External HD)
  • Ethernet Port
Outputs
Outputs
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Back View
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C 368 BluOS-2i?

Here are the items that come with the C 368 BluOS-2i:
  • Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • MDC BluOS 2i module (pre-installed)
  • 2 Antennas
  • Remote control (SR 9)
  • 2 AA batteries
  • USB/WiFi dongle
  • Antenna
  • 41-inch USB extension cable
  • Quick Setup Guide
  • Mounting Instructions
  • Warranty Information

Bose Music Amplifier vs NAD C 368 BluOS-2i full specifications

Every spec we hold for both, side by side
SpecificationBose Music AmplifierNAD C 368 BluOS-2i
Overview
BrandBoseNAD
TypeStreaming Integrated AmplifierStreaming Integrated Amplifier
CategoryStreaming AmplifierStreaming Amplifier
Channels22
Amplifier classClass DClass D
Output devicesSolid StateSolid State
ReleasedOctober 20222019
List price$579$1,749
Series–Classic
Power and performance
Power into 8 ohms–80 W RMS
Power into 4 ohms125 W RMS80 W RMS
Power, as rated125 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Minimum impedance–4 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio–98 dB
THD–0.03%
Frequency bandwidth–20 Hz-20 kHz
Bridge mode–300 watts x 1-channel (@ 20-20kHz, into 8Ω, at 0.03% THD)
Digital and DAC
Built-in DACYesYes
Network and streaming
Wi-Fi–802.11n
EthernetYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth version–4.0
Bluetooth codecs–AptX
Bluetooth transmitter–Yes
AirPlay 2YesYes
ChromecastYesNo
Roon–Ready
BluOS–Yes
HEOS–No
DTS Play-Fi–No
Streaming servicesSpotify–
Inputs
Analogue inputs–2
Phono input–Yes
Phono type–MM
Optical digital12
Coaxial digital–2
USB input–Yes
USB type–USB-A(Thumbdrive/External HD)
Outputs
Preamp outputs–Stereo RCA
Pre-out / main-in loop–No
Headphone output–1/4
A/B speaker terminals–Yes
Features and control
Tone controls–Yes
CD playerNoNo
Handheld remote–Yes
Remote model–SR 9
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D)71.1mm x 223.5mm x 223.5mm102.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm
Dimensions, inches2.8inch x 8.8inch x 8.8inch4inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-5/8inch
Weight–7.80 kg (17.20 lbs)
Removable power cord–IEC 3-prong
Parts warranty–2 Years
Labour warranty–2 Years

A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure, or it does not apply. 52 specifications compared.

Verdict

One is a streaming all-in-one and the other is an amplifier. Judge them on how many boxes you want and what you already own, not on the spec sheet alone.

AreaBetterWhy
Built-in DACevenly matchedBoth have a DAC on board with much the same capability.
Streamingevenly matchedOnly Bose Music Amplifier has Chromecast. Neither list is longer in a way that matters - check the one service you actually pay for.
Shelf spacedependsBose Music Amplifier takes up about 73% less shelf area (500cm² against 1840cm²), and it is 200mm shallower, which is the measurement that decides whether a rack door shuts.
PriceABose Music Amplifier costs less - $579 against $1,749 at list.

A Bose Music Amplifier  B NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both amplifiers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and the speakers you already own settle it. Think about the whole system: the roughly $1,170 saved by taking the cheaper one would buy better speakers or a subwoofer, which does more for the sound than the difference between two competent amplifiers.

What a spec sheet cannot show: how either sounds with your speakers, how the controls feel day to day, and what the app is like to live with - which is where most all-in-one amplifiers are actually won or lost. Power figures are the manufacturers' own and are not measured to a common standard, so treat small differences as noise. If you can hear both, that will tell you more than any row above.

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