NAD C 388 vs NAD C316BEE V2 Detailed Comparison

NAD C 388 vs NAD C316BEE V2

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NAD C 388

Integrated Amplifier | 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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NAD C316BEE V2

Integrated Amplifier | 40 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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NAD C 388

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NAD C316BEE V2

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NAD C 388

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NAD C316BEE V2

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NAD C 388 vs NAD C316BEE V2 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers by NAD. NAD C 388 is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker whereas the C316BEE V2 is a Integrated Amplifier speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of NAD C 388 and NAD C316BEE V2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	NAD C 388	NAD C316BEE V2
Power	150 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 150 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms	40 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 40 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier class	Class D	Class A/B
Damping factor	—	200
Built-in DAC	Yes	No
Phono input	Yes	Yes
Headphone output	1/4	1/4
Bluetooth	Yes	No
Weight	11.23kg / 24.7lbs	5.50kg / 12.1lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	4-3/4" x 17-1/8" x 16-5/8" 121.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm	3-1/4" x 17-1/8" x 11-5/16" 83.0mm x 435.0mm x 288.0mm

What size room are the NAD C 388 and NAD C316BEE V2 Amplifiers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these amplifiers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their max power parameters:

Listening Environment	NAD C 388	NAD C316BEE V2
Near-field	Are you nuts?	Good
Small Room	Bad	Good
Mid-size Room	Poor	Average
Large Room	Good	Poor
Very Large Room	Good	No way

C 388 and C316BEE V2 are members of NAD's Classic series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

NAD Classic Series History

Model	Watts RMS (8-ohms)	Minimum Impedance	Built-in DAC
NAD C316BEE V2	40 watts	4-ohms	No
NAD C 389	130 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 399	180 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 388	150 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 368	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 328	40 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 700	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 338	50 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 3050	100 watts	4-ohms	Yes

The sections below take each area in turn: power output, inputs and outputs, features and physical size.

**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose NAD C 388 over NAD C316BEE V2

Watts into 8-ohms	150 watts vs 40 watts	Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Watts into 4-ohms	150 watts vs 40 watts	Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.009% vs 0.03%	Less Harmonic Distortion
Buil-in DAC	Yes vs No	Connect digital sources without an external DAC
Bluetooth	Yes vs No	Stream music via Bluetooth devices
Optical Digital Inputs	2 vs No	More options for connecting Digital sources
Coaxial Digital Inputs	2 vs No	More options for connecting Digital sources
USB Input	Yes vs	Connect Sources via USB
Preamp Outputs	Stereo RCA vs No	Connect a powered subwoofer or second amplifier.

Reasons to choose NAD C316BEE V2 over NAD C 388

MSRP Price(*)	499USD vs 1,499USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Total Analog Inputs	5 vs 2	More options for connecting Analog sources
Base Surface Area	1252.8cm²/ 194.2inch² vs 1840.1cm²/ 285.2inch²	takes less space in your room
Height	83mm vs 121mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

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 388 and NAD C316BEE V2 differs from each other.

NAD C 388 Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
Phono Input
2 Optical Digital Input
2 Coaxial Digital Input
USB Input:
- USB-A(Service Only)

NAD C316BEE V2 Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
Phono Input

NAD C 388 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Outputs

Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
1/4 Headphone Output

Outputs

1/4 Headphone Output

NAD C316BEE V2 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C 388?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of C 388:

Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
6-feet AC power cord
Bluetooth antenna
Remote control (SR 9)
2 AA batteries
Quick Setup Guide
Warranty Information

What's in the Box of NAD C316BEE V2?

Here are the items that come with the C316BEE V2:

Integrated amplifier
Remote control (AMP 4)
CR2025 3V battery
Owners manual
Warranty information