NAD C 315BEE User manual

CREATING A NEW BUDGET REFERENCE
NAD has an enviable reputation for creating some of the best performing budget amplifiers of all time.
The lineage is impressive, all the way from the 3020 of 1978 to the current C325BEE, with many “Best
Amp” awards and 5 Star reviews along the way. As loudspeaker quality and performance has continued to
improve, especially at modest price points, NAD felt that there was room for a lower cost amp that could
take advantage of these speakers; creating a new entry point for serious musical performance.
The NAD Design Team faced a difficult challenge: to maintain the same performance specification as our
more expensive amplifiers while removing cost. Cost is usually removed by reducing features, power, and
performance. While not quite as full featured as our own C325BEE, the C315BEE is far from a “stripped
down” product. With 6 line level inputs, full IR remote control, defeatable tone controls and a front panel input
for a portable MP3 player, the C315BEE is fully equipped to be the control center for a high performance
music system. Continuous power is a conservative 40 watts, and dynamic power (more important for music
listening) is impressively rated at 90 watts into 8 Ohms! This is far more usable power on tap than other
amps at this price. And this power is available across the entire audible band at a class leading 0.02% rated
distortion!
PROVEN TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED BY INNOVATION
NAD’s PowerDrive™ Circuit has been proven to offer a remarkable combination of high current drive needed
for complex loudspeaker loads combined with high levels of undistorted dynamic power. By monitoring
the precise operating condition of the power amplifier, PowerDrive uses this intelligence to automatically
optimize the power supply settings for uniformly low distortion and maximum power in the real world of music
listening. As featured in our top Masters Series models M3 and M25, PowerDrive uses a complex ‘analog
computer’ to determine the optimal settings. For the C315BEE, NAD’s Director of Advanced Development,
Bjorn Erik Edvardsen, developed a clever new computation circuit (PowerDrive-S) requiring fewer parts at
a much lower cost without any reduction in effectiveness (although this invention is limited to use in lower
power amplifiers).
All the hallmarks of NAD technology are present, from the generously sized toroidal power transformer
and low ESR smoothing capacitors, to the multiple regulated secondary supplies, to the heavy duty discrete
output transistors, the C315BEE is every bit as refined and sophisticated as other NAD amplifiers.
SIMPLICITY
While the C315BEE has everything necessary for musical enjoyment, it is refreshingly limited to the
essentials: six inputs, one set of speakers, a headphone jack and full function remote control. It has a
compact size and a handsome yet understated exterior. It is essential NAD.
C 315BEE Integrated Amplifier
• ContinuousPower-2X40Wattsinto4or8Ohms,20Hz–
20kHzat0.02%THD
• DynamicPower-90Winto8Ohms,120Winto4Ohms,
180Winto2Ohms
• PowerDrive-S™
• 6LineLevelInputsincluding1TapeLoop
• FrontPanelInputforPortableMediaPlayer
• BassandTrebleControls
• ToneDefeat(Bypass)
• HeadphoneOutput
• SystemRemoteControlalsocontrolsNADCDPlayers
• Multi-waySpeakerBindingPosts
• GoldPlatedRCAJacks
• ToroidalPowerTransformer
Features
Details

VALUE
We are confident that the C315BEE will set new benchmarks
for performance, both measured and audible, at this affordable
price point. Unless you have power hungry speakers, listen at
dangerously loud levels, or have a very large room, the C315BEE
is likely to be all the amplifier you’ll ever need. Fundamental
specifications for noise, distortion, power, stereo separation,
and volume control tracking, are all class leading. Slightly more
esoteric measurements like transient intermodulation distortion,
dynamic crossover-notch distortion, power supply rejection and
square wave rise time would be impressive on an amplifier costing
many times its modest price.
The sonic result of this high technology is a relaxed and inviting
sound that digs out the subtle details in your favorite recordings
and presents them across a panoramic stereo sound stage. The
impressive dynamic power reserves make the C315BEE sound
both articulate and alive. The silent background and low distortion
gives a sense of solidity and presence to your music and brings
out the best your loudspeakers have to offer.
NADElectronicsInternationalreservestherighttochangespecicationsorfeatureswithoutnotice.NADisaregisteredtrademarkofNADElectronics
International.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,stored,ortransmittedinanyformwhatsoeverwithoutthewritten
permissionofNADElectronicsInternational.©08/07NADElectronicsInternational.
www.NADelectronics.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Pre-Amp Section
Line level inputs
Input impedance (R+C)
Input sensitivity, rated power
Maximum input signal
Line level outputs
Output impedance
Tone Controls
Treble
Bass
Power Amp Section
Continuous output power into 8Ω
Rated Distortion (THD 20Hz - 20kHz)
Clipping power (maximum con. power 4/8Ω)
IHF dynamic power at 8Ω
IHF dynamic power at 4Ω
IHF dynamic power at 2Ω
Damping factor (ref. 8Ω, 1kHz)
Voltage gain
50kΩ / 100pF
200mV
7V
Tape Source Z + 600Ω
±5dB at 10kHz
±8dB at 100Hz
40W (16dBW)
0.02%
40W
90W (19.5dBW)
120W (20.8dBW)
180W (22.6dBW)
>160
39dB
Signal/noise ratio, A-weighted
THD + Noise
SMPTE IM
IHF IM
Headphone output impedance
Physical Specifications
Net Dimensions (W x H x D)
Gross Dimensions (W x H x D)*
Net Weight
Shipping Weight
* Gross Dimensions include volume knob / speaker terminals / connectors / feet.
Note: Installers should allow a minimum clearance of 2 - 4 inches for wire management.
ref. 1W 95dB
<0.02%
<0.02%
<0.01%
68Ω
17 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 9 1/2”
(435 x 70 x 242mm)
17 1/8 x 3 1/8 x 11 1/2”
(435 x 80 x 292mm)
11.5 lbs (5.25kg)
14.3 lbs (6.5kg)