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The Creative Audio Review

NAD built its enviable reputation in the hi-fi industry building affordable audiophile amplifiers. The C 316BEE V2 is the company’s current entry-level model, and it’s one of the best choices for anyone starting to build their first stereo system.

What NAD has done is focus exclusively on the essentials. You get an analog amplifier with an overbuilt power supply that can drive any speaker it is likely to be paired with. You get five line-level analog inputs as well as a moving magnet phono input. You get tone controls to tailor the sound to your liking. You get a remote control. Most importantly, you get amazing sound, and that is what this is all about.

We love the NAD C 316BEE V2 because it puts the music front and centre. If you’ve only ever been exposed to low- and mid-fi amplifiers this may be a difficult concept to understand. Play one song on this amp and you’ll get it right away. You realize that what you listened to before was thin, veiled, and artificial. On this amp, a guitar sounds like the real thing, percussion has real snap, strings are textured, and vocals sound just right. This last point is most important; more than any other sound, we know what the human voice sounds like and on this amp, vocals sound lifelike.

Turn up the volume and this little cracker of an amp will envelope you in music. It’s important to note though just how good this amp sounds at low levels as well. That is the hallmark of a high-end amplifier, and the effect is disarming. No matter what genre of music you prefer, we promise you are going to find new textures and layers in your favourite songs, songs you thought you knew like the back of your hand.

For many, this is a gateway to high-end audio. Comparing it to more expensive options will reveal its shortcomings, but that doesn’t diminish its charm. One day, many who start here will upgrade to better things, but they will look back on this amp with fondness. How could you not, with an amp that makes music sound so sweet?

NAD C 316BEE V2 Technical Specifications

(reprinted from NAD)

Power Output (continuous, 8 and 4 ohms):
40W (ref. 20 Hz-20 kHz at rated THD, both channels driven)

Clipping power (at 1 kHz 0.1 % THD):
>45 W in 8 ohms
>60 W in 4 ohms

IHF dynamic power:
8 ohms: 90 W
4 ohms: 120 W
2 ohms: 170 W

THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz):
<0.03 % (250 mW to 40 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
>95 dB (A-weighted, 500 mV input, ref. 1 W out in 8 ohms)
>97 dB (A-weighted, 500 mV input, unity gain in 32 ohms)

Damping factor:
>200 (ref. 8 ohms, 1 kHz)

Frequency response:
±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, Tone Defeat ON)

Tone Controls:
Treble: ± 5dB at 10 kHz
Bass: ± 8 dB at 100 Hz

Channel separation:
>70 dB (1 kHz)

Maximum input level:
4.3V (1 kHz THD 0.1%)

Input sensitivity (for 40 W in 8 ohms):
200 mV

Standby power:
<0.5 W

Gross dimensions (W x H x D):
17 1/8 x 3 9/16 x 11 1/4 inches
435 x 90 x 285 mm

Net weight:
5.5 kg (12.1 lbs)

Shipping weight:
6.4 kg (14.1 lbs)