SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND
NAD C316BEE V2 vs NAD C 388
x
Amp to replace
Change

NAD C316BEE V2

Integrated Amplifier | 40 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C316BEE V2
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
NAD C 388

Integrated Amplifier | 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms

NAD C 388
CHECK PRICE
NAD C316BEE V2 NAD C316BEE V2
See at AMAZON
NAD C 388 NAD C 388
See at AMAZON
NAD C316BEE V2
See at AMAZON
NAD C 388
See at AMAZON
NAD C316BEE V2 vs NAD C 388 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

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

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

NAD C316BEE V2 Key Specs

  • 40 watts RMS into 8-ohms
  • Phono Input
  • Weight: 12.10 lbs / 5.50 kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D):3-1/4inch x 17-1/8inch x 11-5/16inch

NAD C 388 Key Specs

  • 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms
  • Built-in DAC
  • Phono Input
  • USB Input
  • Bluetooth v4.0
  • Weight: 24.70 lbs / 11.23 kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D):4-3/4inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-5/8inch

What size room are the NAD C316BEE V2 and NAD C 388 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 C316BEE V2 NAD C 388
Near-field Good Are you nuts?
Small Room Good Bad
Mid-size Room Average Poor
Large Room Poor Good
Very Large Room No way Good

C316BEE V2 and C 388 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 C 389
  
130 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C316BEE V2
40 watts4-ohmsNo
NAD C 399
  
180 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i
  
80 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 388
150 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 328
  
40 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 368
  
80 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 700
  
80 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 399 BluOS-D
  
180 watts4-ohmsYes
NAD C 388 BluOS-2i
  
150 watts4-ohmsYes

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to understand how NAD C316BEE V2 and NAD C 388 compares and end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these amplifiers is the better choice for you.


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


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

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.

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 C316BEE V2 and NAD C 388 differs from each other.

NAD C316BEE V2 Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
  • Phono Input
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 Back View
NAD C316BEE V2 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Outputs
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
Outputs
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
  • 1/4 Headphone Output
NAD C 388 Back View
NAD C 388 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C316BEE V2?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of C316BEE V2:
  • Integrated amplifier
  • Remote control (AMP 4)
  • CR2025 3V battery
  • Owners manual
  • Warranty information
  • What's in the Box of NAD C 388?

    Here are the items that come with the 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
  • LATEST BLOG POSTS
    Klipsch La Scala AL6 and Klipschorn AK7 Speakers are Unveiled
    New Audiolab 6000A MkII with upgraded DAC and new HDMI ARC connection
    Q Acoustics 3000c Series Loudspeakers added to the database
    WiiM VibeLink Amp: A Game-Changer for Budget Hi-Fi in 2025
    KEF Meta and Reference Meta Floorstanding Speaker Size and Specs Comparison
    Triangle Borea Bookshelf and Floorstanding Speaker Size and Specs Comparison
    Triangle Borea BR04 Bookshelf and BR10 Floorstanding Speakers added to Database
    Monitor Audio Gold 6G Series Loudspeakers added to our Comparison Database

    Most Popular Amplifiers
    Audiolab 7000A
    Audiolab 7000A
    70 watts into 8-ohms
    Yamaha A-S801
    Yamaha A-S801
    100 watts into 8-ohms
    Denon PMA-900HNE
    Denon PMA-900HNE
    50 watts into 8-ohms
    Yamaha A-S301
    Yamaha A-S301
    60 watts into 8-ohms
    Denon PMA-1700NE
    Denon PMA-1700NE
    70 watts into 8-ohms
    Rotel A14 MKII
    Rotel A14 MKII
    80 watts into 8-ohms
    Yamaha A-S501
    Yamaha A-S501
    85 watts into 8-ohms
    Rotel Diamond Series RA-6000
    Rotel Diamond Series RA-6000
    200 watts into 8-ohms
    Audiolab 6000A
    Audiolab 6000A
    50 watts into 8-ohms
    Rotel A12 MKII
    Rotel A12 MKII
    60 watts into 8-ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction