The Integrated That Sounds Like Power
Written: Jun 10 '03
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Pros: Excellent sound; powerful (55 amps powerful)
Cons: Ugly - you like grey?
The Bottom Line: As long as you don't listen with your eyes, the NAD C350 is the best buy for stereo amplifiers at up to £400.
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| MichaelHatton's Full Review: NAD C350 2-Channel Amplifier |
Replacing the old C340, this new and shorter C350 from NAD comes at the same price range of its' predecessor, at £350 RRP ($490), it's a mid-range stereo amplifier that I found for £200 ($280). In 2001 I had a C340, which was one of the amps "to have" at the time, then I switched to a Kenwood KAF3030, which got rave reviews in magazines, in 2002. The other week I switched back to NAD. The Eltax Linear Response 6.5 speakers I have are too heavy a load for the Kenwood and so I decided to upgrade.
The old C340 had plenty in its day in terms of features, but the C350 adds more: 7 line level inputs including two tape loops, two pre-output sockets, a pre-in socket, and an extra 10watts of power. However the price has risen some £60 ($84). Like the C340, the C350 comes equipped with NAD's Impedance Sensing Circuitry (ISC), which launched with the C320, that detects the electrical load characteristics of a speaker and adjusts itself for the speaker. This gives a native power output of 60 watt per channel, but can rise up to 135w, 190w and a massive 240w under dynamic reserves in 8, 4 and 2ohm loads and a maximum current capability of a huge 55amps. At first I thought this would sort of make the speakers output flat, but it's not quite that clever; it does however mean that the output characteristics are not effected by a wobbly impedance curve; giving more power to the areas that need it and vice versa.
The great thing about the C350 is that it has unlimited expandability; the unit comes equipped with two pre output sockets (stereo), which can be connected to a power amplifier. This gives you the opportunity to bi-amp using the 2 C350s, or getting adding a NAD C270 power amplifier; or you could get a separate pre-amp (with two power amps too), and have the potential for a tri-amp setup. The other two models in the range are the C320 BEE, and C370, you could hook these with the C350 and get a similar tri-amp setup. Returning from the C340 is the Soft Clipping, an item I never bothered with; a switch on the rear panel activates it - its' job is to reduce distortion at high volume, although I never felt the C340 needed it.
Unfortunately they have not bothered with a second set of speaker outputs, sticking with the regular screw column binding posts for banana plugs, spade plugs or bare wire. What they have changed though, is a new complementing set of gold plated input sockets. Removable pins connect the second pre-output to the power section. And the input switching is done right next to the input terminals reducing the distance it has to travel. There is no phono stage - NAD sells a separate unit 'PP-1'. The usual tone controls (utterly useless) with a defeat switch, and headphone socket are the standard items. Much the same input switches, and button/knob placement on the front facia. It's very well built, but not exactly aesthetic, as NAD equipment is. The remote has been changed slightly, with all purpose functions (for other NAD CD, Tape, Tuner units).
Setting Up
Since it doesn't come with two speaker pair outputs, you don't really get the advantage of being able to bi-wire. Bi-wiring involves connecting a speaker with 2 pairs of input connections with two cables - it usually sounds much better. I used some Gale XL-160-2 Bi-wire cable (£3/m) to connect the speakers up, and just spliced the two cables together at the speaker connections. I use Cambridge Audio Atlantic phono cable (£10/m) to connect my Sony CDP-XB930 CD player to the CD input on the C350. My profile should show a picture of the setup. I sit the NAD on top of the CD player, since the amplifier needs air space - they get hot!
Running In
Within the first 12 hours, the C350 sounds rough, distorted and unnatural. After about 16 hours it loosens up, and sounds much more into its stride. Even so, the first time I played a CD, I noticed the differences from the Kenwood immediately. Run-in is relating to a time that the equipment needs to get used, like a pair of jeans, before it becomes 'comfortable'. Speakers take the longest though.
Sound Quality
The step up from the Kenwood was noticeable from the moment I played the first CD. For the first couple of days, it was uncomfortable to get used to the sound of a NAD again; the Kenwood was much livelier. The C350 though is generally an amplifier that can only do its best when its' been on for a few hours (nice and warmed up), and at a steady volume. It has no problem with power, the Eltax speakers merely give up before the amplifier does, I've had to stuff their ports with socks to stop them running out of push, and to cut down on the bass.
The low end on the C350 is probably one of the most defined than any other amplifier, it's sheer guts and drive that will work a speaker into sweat. I've been brave enough to get up to 50% volume; that's enough, and one of the areas that the Kenwood gave up at. I had the joy of listening to Radiohead's new album (Hail To The Theif), and getting under an unfamiliar album is great; the C350 is delicate and detailed to give 'There There' the depth and focus, the room and space to clarify every instrument on the track. The power of the amplifier comes through with great pace, precision and rhythm, and you don't need to listen at high volume to enjoy it. It's rated to produce a 3Hz to 70kHz output at +3/-6dB, which would explain why it's got a knack for bass.
Outstanding isn't a word I would describe the sounds, but would for the amp. It has a talent for producing unoffending sounds that relay what was on the CD; it takes nothing or gives nothing of its own. For those who are used to "coloured" sounds, then this comes as a little bit of a downer, but once you get into new albums it becomes the perfect sound you always wanted. The sound is just there, you can picture where everything was recorded, how the stereo imaging works, everything is just planted in front of you and takes you away from the electronics. It's excellent, and makes you question why people need subwoofers too.
Conclusion
It's a great leap forward from the C340, and despite a price increase, the C350 is probably the best amplifier up to £400. Built like the concrete it looks like and sounds of a maestro.
[Pices given in British Pound £ and US Dollar $ at £1=$1.4]
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 280
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MichaelHatton
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