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  1. Home
  2. Amplifiers
  3. NAD C 268 vs NAD C 368
NAD C 268 vs NAD C 368
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Amp to replace
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NAD C 268

Power Amplifier | 80 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C 268
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NAD C 368

Integrated Amplifier | 80 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C 368
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NAD C 268 NAD C 268
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NAD C 368 NAD C 368
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NAD C 268
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NAD C 368
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NAD C 268 vs NAD C 368 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers by NAD. NAD C 268 is a Stereo Power Amplifier speaker whereas the C 368 is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of NAD C 268 and NAD C 368 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsNAD C 268NAD C 368
BrandNAD
Canada · founded 1972
NAD
Canada · founded 1972
Power80 watts x 280 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier classClass DClass D
Damping factor100300
Built-in DAC—Yes
Phono input—Yes
Headphone output—1/4
Bluetooth—Yes
Weight—7.82kg / 17.2lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)4" x 17-3/16" x 16"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 NAD C 268 over NAD C 368
MSRP Price(*) 1,299USD vs 1,499USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.003% vs 0.03% Less Harmonic Distortion
Height 0mm vs 102mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose NAD C 368 over NAD C 268
Handheld Remote Yes vs No Control the amplifier by the included RC
Buil-in DAC Yes vs No Connect digital sources without an external DAC
PhonoInput Yes vs No Connect a turntable directly to your amp
USB Input Yes vs Connect Sources via USB

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 NAD C 268 and NAD C 368 differs from each other.

NAD C 268 Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
NAD C 368 Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
  • Phono Input
  • 2 Optical Digital Input
  • 2 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB-A(Service Only)
Outputs
Outputs
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
NAD C 368 Back View
NAD C 368 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C 368?

Here are the items that come with the 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

NAD C 268 vs NAD C 368 full specifications

Every spec we hold for both, side by side
SpecificationNAD C 268NAD C 368
Overview
BrandNADNAD
TypeStereo Power AmplifierIntegrated Amplifier with built-in DAC
Channels22
Amplifier classClass DClass D
Output devicesSolid StateSolid State
ReleasedOctober 20172017
List price$1,299$1,499
Series–Classic
Power and performance
Power into 8 ohms80 W RMS80 W RMS
Power into 4 ohms–80 W RMS
Power, as rated80 watts x 280 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Minimum impedance4 ohms4 ohms
Damping factor100300
Signal-to-noise ratio–98 dB
THD0.003%0.03%
Frequency bandwidth20 Hz-20 kHz20 Hz-20 kHz
Bridge mode300 watts300 watts x 1-channel (@ 20-20kHz, into 8Ω, at 0.03% THD)
Digital and DAC
Built-in DAC–Yes
Network and streaming
Ethernet–No
Bluetooth–Yes
Bluetooth version–4.0
Bluetooth codecs–AptX
Bluetooth transmitter–Yes
AirPlay 2–No
Chromecast–No
Roon–No
BluOS–No
HEOS–No
DTS Play-Fi–No
Inputs
Analogue inputs22
Phono input–Yes
Phono type–MM
Optical digital–2
Coaxial digital–2
USB input–Yes
USB type–USB-A(Service Only)
Outputs
Preamp outputs–Stereo RCA
Pre-out / main-in loop–No
Headphone output–1/4
Speaker terminalsBinding posts–
Speaker outputs2–
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)–102.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm
Dimensions, inches–4inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-5/8inch
Weight–7.82 kg (17.20 lbs)
Removable power cordIEC 3-prongIEC 3-prong
Parts warranty2 Years2 Years
Labour warranty2 Years2 Years

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

Verdict

Both are NAD, from different ranges - the engineering approach is shared and the differences are mostly in power, connectivity and price.

AreaBetterWhy
Powerevenly matchedEffectively the same output - 80W against 80W into 8 ohms is under 1dB, which is not an audible difference in loudness.
Bass controlBNAD C 368 has the higher damping factor (300 vs 100), which usually means a tighter grip on a woofer. Above about 100 the returns flatten out, so read this as a tendency rather than a ranking.
Analogue inputsevenly matchedThe same number of line-level inputs (2).
Room to growevenly matchedThe same expansion options on both.
PriceANAD C 268 costs less - $1,299 against $1,499 at list.

A NAD C 268  B NAD C 368
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?

The usual trade-off: NAD C 368 measures better, NAD C 268 costs about 13% less. With most speakers in most rooms that gap is smaller in practice than it looks here.

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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