NAD C 326BEE User manual
C 326BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
• 50Wx2ContinuousPowerinto
4ohmsand8ohms
• 100W,150W,200WIHFDynamic
powerinto8,4and2ohms,
respectively
• PowerDriveTMcircuit
• NADSR8FullSystemRemotecontrol
• Headphonesocket
• FrontpanelMediaPlayer(MP)input
forattachingportableMP3Player
• RelayInputSwitching
• HolmgrenToroidalPower
transformer
• 7Lineinputs,includingtwotape
in/outs
• Alldiscretecircuitry
• Shortsignalpathfrom
inputtooutput
• AllsocketsGoldplated
• Tonecontrolsdefeatswitch
• Main-ampinput&pre-ampoutputs
• Subwoofer(mono)Out
• SoftClippingTM
• IRInput/Output
• 12volttriggerout
• DetachableIECPowerCable
• <1WStandbyPowerConsumption
• Freeofleadandother
environmentallydangerous
substances
> POSITIONING
The NAD C 320 series of amplifiers have always punched far above their modest weight. 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 proprietary PowerDrive circuit, the C 326BEE
is able to accurately control even difficult to drive loudspeakers while sounding musical, detailed, coherent and relaxed.
The C 326BEE is the latest in NAD’s range of affordably priced, yet very high performance Stereo Integrated Amplifiers. Neatly slotted in between
our most affordable C 315BEE and more powerful C 355BEE, the C 326BEE boasts many upgrades and refinements taken directly from the
highly acclaimed NAD Masters Series M3 Amplifier. These include application of Bjorn Erik Edvardsen’s innovative and patented Distortion
Canceling 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!
> DETAILS
Features
The C 326BEE is fully remote controlled and
comes supplied with the NAD SR 8 system
remote control. The remote control features
an ergonomic form, with large buttons that are
differentiated by shape and position, to make
operation intuitive and enjoyable. The SR 8
will also operate many other NAD products
such as CD players, tuners, etc. Flexibility is
another NAD strong point. The C 326BEE has
7 line inputs and the pre-amplifier section can
be separated from the power amplifier for easy
upgrades or adding ancillary equipment. Thus
the C 326BEE can be expanded to meet future
system needs.
The C 326BEE sports a pre-amp output: Many
systems benefit from the use of multiple power
amplifiers for “Bi-Amping” (using separate
power amplifiers to drive the bass and treble
section of a loudspeaker).
> FEATURES
continued>
Additionally, there are two monophonic Subwoofer OUT that can be connected
to powered subwoofers - an increasingly popular option.
For remote on/off switching of ancillary components in a system, such
as power amplifiers or active speakers, the C 326BEE is equipped with a
12V-trigger system.When switching the amplifier on, the 12V-trigger output is
also activated which in turn can activate a 12V-trigger input switching on the
remote devices. Besides the 12V-trigger, the C 326BEE also has rear panel IR IN
and OUT.
It is fashionable to omit tone controls nowadays: However, provided that the
tone controls are properly designed, they can be really useful tools in making
improvements to the overall sound. The C 326BEE tone controls only work
at the frequency extremes leaving the critical mid-band essentially unaltered.
The tone control circuits can be completely bypassed by using the Tone Defeat
control button. The C 326BEE also incorporates NAD’s acclaimed switchable
“Soft Clipping” circuit, which significantly reduces the risk of damage to
loudspeakers due to prolonged high power operation.
Design: PowerDrive
The C 326BEE also benefits from NAD’s proprietary PowerDrive circuit topology,
now well established and used throughout the NAD product range. The
PowerDrive topology allows the C 326BEE to deliver maximum performance
under virtually any circumstance, independent of the loudspeakers it is
driving. The circuitry automatically senses the impedance characteristics of the
loudspeaker and will then adjust its power supply settings to best cope with
that specific load. PowerDrive topology is a practical approach to enable an
amplifier to easily deal with musical dynamics and difficult speaker loads. Thus
we have the highly desirable characteristics of high dynamic power and low
impedance drive capability in one affordable package.
The C 326BEE has the lowest levels of distortion and noise available in its price
class and is easily capable of embarrassing far more expensive products. To
prove it, NAD uses Full Disclosure Power (FDP) - the most demanding criteria
for performance measurement. FDP specifies distortion under the most extreme
conditions of low impedance loads and frequency extremes rather than the
simple and easy 1kHz @ 8 Ohms test quoted by many of our competitors.
We use this stricter performance criterion because it more closely matches the
demands of real music and real loudspeakers. Maintaining specified distortion
at 4 Ohms and at 20Hz and 20kHz is several orders of magnitude more difficult
to achieve than the simple 8 Ohms and 1kHz test.
NAD also takes a stand against the meaningless “brochure power” touted by
many of our competitors by offering Full Disclosure power specs. We specify
minimum continuous power, across the entire audible range of frequencies, at
rated distortion, for both 8 and 4 Ohms with all channels driven simultaneously.
Perhaps even more importantly, we also specify Dynamic Power at 8, 4, and
even 2 Ohms, which better describes the way the amplifier will perform in the
real world, with musical signals and reactive loudspeaker loads.
Less Distortion = More Music
Noise and distortion mask the fine details of a musical recording robbing
musical texture and dimension and replacing them with non-musical artifacts.
NAD has spent the last 35 years perfecting our designs to have the lowest
distortion and highest power in its price class. This cannot be overstated! Our
competitors often rate distortion at only 80% of rated power, and even then
can’t match our very conservative spec of 0.009% at any frequency within the
range of human hearing. Our noise spec is often 10dB (100 times!) less than
that of competing amplifiers. This is far from a trivial difference as fine detail
and nuance (micro dynamics) are often obscured by noise in lesser amplifiers,
robbing a performance of that illusive sense of ‘realism’. It is that exciting
feeling of being there at the live performance.
But even the most carefully reported specs cannot fully describe the sonic
performance of an amplifier. Only your own ears can finally judge our
achievement. We urge you to listen and compare NAD to other products in its
price range, and even higher. We don’t think you’ll find anything that comes
close to offering the C 326BEE’s overall musical satisfaction, well-rounded
performance, and stellar value for money.
> DETAILS
PREAMPLIFIER SECTION
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) 100kΩ+ 320pF
Maximum input signal >8V rms (ref. 0.1 THD)
Output impedance Pre out 75Ω
Tape out Source Z + 1kHz
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 ohms load >10V (ref. 0.03% THD)
Tone controls
Treble ± 5dB at 10kHz
Bass ± 8dB at 100Hz
POWER AMPLIFER SECTION
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
8Ω 100W
4Ω 150W
2Ω 200W
Peak output current >20A (ref. 1Ω, 1ms)
Signal/Noise ratio >100dB (A-weighted, ref. 1W)
>117dB (A-weighted, ref. 150W)
Damping factor >100 (ref. 8Ω, 50Hz and 1kHz)
Frequency response ± 0.1dB (ref. 20Hz - 20kHz)
3Hz – 70kHz (ref. -3dB)
Input impedance 20kΩ + 1nF
Input sensitivity 630mV (ref. rated power)
Voltage gain 29dB
Headphone output impedance 68Ω
> SPECIFICATIONS
C 326BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Channel separation 1kHz >80dB
10kHz >70dB
Trigger Out
Output resistance <100Ω
Output current 50mA
Output voltage +12V
OVERALL SPECIFICATIONS
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
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions (W x H x D) 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 12 1/2” x 13”
Net weight 15.21 lbs (6.9 kg)
Shipping
weight 20 lbs (9.1 kg)
* Gross dimensions include volume knob / speaker terminals /
connectors / feet. Note: Installers should allow a minimum clearance
of 2- 4 inches for wire/cable management.
NAD Electronics International reserves the right to change specications 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.
© 02/09 NAD Electronics International. www.NADelectronics.com
C 326BEE Integrated Amplifier
> REAR LINE DRAWING
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