NAD C 326BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
- Delivery Time: Discontinued!
- Hi-Fi+ Code: 34100061
Tracing its lineage back to the original NAD 3020, an amplifier that changed the industry, the C 326BEE is a truly extraordinary component. With more than twice the power output, as well as a pure Class A preamp circuit, the C 326BEE delivers an outstanding performance. Featuring 7 line inputs, and a pre-amplifier section that can be separated from the power amplifier for easy upgrades, the C 326BEE is a product that cannot be ignored. The C 326BEE also benefits mightily from NAD’s PowerDrive™ circuit topology, which allows the C 326BEE to deliver maximum performance to even the most powerful of speakers. With significantly low levels of both noise and distortion, the C 326BEE is a dream product for any hi-fi system, and will deliver a captivating and amazing listening experience unlike anything you’ve heard before.
Performance vs. Value Champ
Combining the highest levels of audio engineering with an extensive feature list, and more than adequate power for all but the most ambitious systems, the C 326BEE keeps the concept of affordable hi-end alive and well. With the very high dynamic power and low impedance drive capability of NAD’s PowerDrive™ circuit, the C 326BEE is able to accurately control even difficult to drive loudspeakers while sounding musical, detailed, coherent and relaxed.
Neatly slotted in between our most affordable C 316BEE and more powerful C 338, the C 326BEE boasts many upgrades and refinements taken directly from the highly acclaimed NAD Masters Series M3 Amplifier. These include application of Bjørn Erik Edvardsen’s innovative and patented Distortion Cancelling Circuit in the output stage and BEE Clamp in the power supply. An improved tone control circuit and revised PCB layout has reduced distortion and noise to unprecedented levels. Taken together, these improvements mark a sharp upturn in performance that must be heard to be fully appreciated.
Key Features
- 50W x 2 Continuous Power into 4 Ohms and 8 Ohms
- 100W, 150W, 200W IHF Dynamic power into 8, 4 and 2 Ohms, respectively
- PowerDriveTM circuit
- NAD SR 8 Full System Remote control
- Headphone socket
- Front panel Media Player (MP) input for attaching portable MP3 Player
- Relay Input Switching
- Holmgren Toroidal Power transformer
- 7 Line inputs, including two tape in/outs
- All discrete circuitry
- Short signal path from input to output
- All sockets Gold plated
- Tone controls defeat switch
- Main-amp input & pre-amp outputs
- Subwoofer (mono) Out
- Soft ClippingTM
- IR Input/Output
- 12 volt trigger out
- Detachable IEC Power Cable
- <1W Standby Power Consumption
- Free of lead and other environmentally dangerous substances
Preamplifier
Line Level Input, Pre out
- THD (2V in 2V out, CCIF IMD, DIM 100)
- >0.004% (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz)
- Signal/Noise ratio IHF
- >100dB (A-weighted, ref. 500mV)
- >108dB (A-weighted, ref. 2V, Volume maximum)
- >92dB (A-weighted, ref. 100mV in 100mV out – unity gain)
- Channel separation
- 1kHz
- >80dB
- 10kHz
- >70dB
- Input impedance (R and C)
- 100 kilohm+ 320pF
- Maximum input signal
- >8Vrms (ref. 0.1 THD)
- Output impedance
- Pre out
- 75 Ohm
- Tape out
- Source Z + 1 kilohm
- Input sensitivity
- 159mV (ref. 500mV out)
- Frequency response
- ±0.1dB (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz, Tone defeat ON)
- ±0.5dB (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz, Tone defeat OFF)
- Maximum voltage output
- IHF load
- >10V (ref. 0.03% THD)
- 600 Ohm load
- >10V (ref. 0.03% THD)
Tone controls
- Treble
- ±5dB at 10kHz
- Bass
- ±8dB at 100Hz
Power Amplifier
Main In, Speaker Out
- Continuous output power into 8Ω and 4Ω (Stereo)
- >50W (ref. rated THD, 20Hz-20kHz, both channels driven)
- Rated THD (CCIF IMD, DIM 100)
- <0.009% (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz)
- Clipping power
- >65W (ref. 1kHz 1% THD)
- IHF dynamic power
- 8 Ohm
- 100W
- 4 Ohm
- 150W
- 2 Ohm
- 200W
- Peak output current
- >20A (ref. 1 Ohm, 1ms)
- Signal/Noise ratio
- >100dB (A-weighted, ref. 1W)
- >117dB (A-weighted, ref. 150W)
- Damping factor
- >100 (ref. 8 Ohm, 50Hz and 1kHz)
- Frequency response
- ±0.1dB (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz)
- 3Hz – 70kHz (ref. -3dB)
- Input impedance
- 20 kilohm + 1nF
- Input sensitivity
- 630mV (ref. rated power)
- Voltage gain
- 29dB
- Headphone output impedance
- 68 Ohms
- Channel separation 1kHz
- >80dB
- 10kHz
- >70dB
Trigger Out
- Output resistance
- <100 Ohms
- Output current
- 50mA
- Output voltage
- +12V
Overall Specs
CD In, Speaker Out
- THD (250mW to rated power, CCIF IMD, DIM 100)
- <0.009% (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz)
- Signal/Noise ratio
- >94dB (A-weighted, ref. 1W)
- >110dB (A-weighted, ref. 50W, volume set for 2V input)
- Frequency response
- ±0.2dB (ref. 20Hz – 20kHz, Tone Defeat ON)
- 10Hz – 65kHz (ref. -3dB)
- Channel separation
- 1kHz
- >80dB
- 10kHz
- >70dB
Power Consumption
- Rated power
- 290W (ref. 230V AC 50 Hz; 120V AC 60Hz)
- Standby power
- <1W
- Idle power
- <35W
Weight & Dimensions
- Net
- 435 x 100 x 286mm
- 17 1/8 x 4 x 11 1/4”
- Gross*
- 435 x 116 x 332mm
- 17 1/8 x 4 1/2 x 13”
- Net weight
- 15.21lb (6.9kg)
- Shipping weight
- 20lb (9.1kg)
*Gross dimensions include feet, extended buttons and rear panel terminals.