NAD C298 Poweramp
Redefining the State of the Art with Purifi Technology
NAD has introduced some of the most innovative amplifier technology in its nearly 50 year history, starting with the 3020 on through such cutting edge models as the 2200, the 208, and the M2. Now we are making the amazing new Eigentakt™ (self-clocking) technology, recently introduced to the world in the EISA Award winning Masters M33, available to a wider audience with the very affordable C 298. We are thrilled to provide this unprecedented level of performance. In short, a perfect companion for the C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC pre-amp.
Combine with C658 Pre-amp
"The C658 and C298 can serve as the heart of a capable and powerful music system. The C658 streaming DAC is loaded with all the features needed in today’s digital streaming world, has expandable inputs to accommodate future interfaces, and the BluOS app provides easy and intuitive control over a music library. The C658 can also serve as the heart of a whole-house wireless system. The C298 amplifier is a powerhouse that will drive virtually any loudspeaker. It also has qualities that are consistent with much more expensive amplifiers, including superb soundstaging, clarity of instrumental line, and good resolution of timbre. Bass and dynamics are spectacular, with excellent rendering of pitch and clarity of bass lines. The overall sound is slightly forward in perspective through the midrange and treble, a character that suggests attention to system matching. I can see the C298 delivering terrific performance when paired with much more expensive components. It’s that good.
I would have recommended this pair without Dirac Live, but this DSP speaker- and room-correction system vaults the performance to a new level, without the sonic compromises I’ve heard from some other DSP systems. The improvement in bass extension, clarity, and dynamics is astounding. The full-frequency version of Dirac brings newfound image specificity along with far more lifelike reproduction of transients.
Considered alone or as a duo, the C658 and C298 deliver exceptional performance and value" Absolute Sound read the review
Reviews
Absolute Sound awards NAD C298 Amplifier of the Year
"NAD’s C298 is built around a new Class D output stage called “Eigentakt” (“self-clocking”) that represents a significant technical advance in switching amplification. The C298 is rated at 185Wpc into 8 ohms and 340Wpc into 4, and is packed with features, including balanced and single-ended inputs and line outputs for daisy-chaining multiple amplifiers, a bridging function for monaural operation, and an auto-on feature when a signal is detected. The C298 sounds like a powerhouse, with effortless dynamics, a tight and solid bottom end, and a general sense of ease in complex passages. The C298 goes very low in the bass, has a nice sense of midbass heft and weight, and delivers outstanding dynamic punch. It also has an unusually satisfying ability to convey music’s rhythmic flow and forward propulsion. The midrange has nice presence, with a bit of forwardness from the upper mids to the lower treble imparting a lively quality. The C298 is a lot of amplifier for the money, and our choice for Solid-State Power Amplifier of the Year"
read the review in Absolute Sound
NAD C298 gets Stereophile Recommended Products Award
"An affordably priced, powerful—185Wpc into 8 ohms. 340Wpc into 4 ohms—utilitarian-looking, class-D stereo amplifier based on the Purifi-Eigentakt output modules used in NAD's more expensive M33 and M28. The C 298 features balanced and single-ended inputs, variable gain, and can also be operated in bridged-mono mode. KR found that a pair of bridged-mono NADs offered explosive dynamics without breaking a sweat—JA measured the clipping power into 8 ohms in this mode as 980W! "The NAD C 298 is a transparent, uncolored, powerful stereo power amplifier," concluded KR, adding that even in stereo mode it can easily drive most speakers "to levels that exceed domestic tranquility." Measuring man JA commented that the C 298 continues NAD's tradition for conservative and competent engineering but "sets a new standard for combining very high power with supremely low distortion." (Vol.44 No.6 WWW)"
Specifications
- Rated output. 20 Hz-20 kHz at rated THD, both channels driven 185 W at 8 ohms 340 W at 4 ohms
- Rated output power Bridge mode mono 620 W at 8 ohms
- THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz) <0.005 % (1 W to 185 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio >98 dB (A-weighted, 500 mV input, ref. 1 W out in 8 ohms) >120 dB (A-weighted, ref. 185 W out in 8 ohms)
- Peak output current >25 A (in 1 ohm, 1 ms)
- Damping factor >800 (ref. 8 ohms 20 Hz – 6.5 kH
- THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz) <0.0005 % at 2V out
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio >120 dB (IHF; 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ref. 2V out)
- Channel separation >110 dB (1 kHz) >100 dB (10 kHz)
- Input impedance (R and C) Single-ended: 56 kohms + 280 pF Balanced: 56 kohms +280 pF
- Maximum input signal >7.0 Vrms (ref. 0.1 % THD)
- Output impedance 390 ohms
- Frequency response ±0.1 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Maximum voltage output -IHF load ≥>7.0 V (ref. 0.1 % THD)
- Stereo Mode input sensitivity (for 185 W in 8 ohms) Fixed Gain mode: 1.43 V
- Stereo Mode Gain Fixed Gain mode: 28.6 dB
- Line In – Balanced and Single-ended Variable Gain mode: 8.5 dB – 28.5 dB
- Bridge Mode Sensitivity Fixed Gain mode: 3.78 V for 620 W in 8 ohms
- Line In – Balanced and Single-endeVariable Gain mode at maximum: 1.41 V for 620 W in 8 ohms
- Bridge Mode Gain Fixed Gain mode: 25.4 dB
- Line In – Balanced and Single-ended Variable Gain mode: 14.5 dB – 34.5 dB
- Standby power <0.5 W
- Gross dimensions (W x H x D)
- 435 x 120 x 390 mm (17 1/8 x 4 3/4 x 15 3/8 inches)
- Net weight 11.2 kg (24.7 lbs)
- Shipping weight 13.6 kg (30 lbs)
