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NAD C 298
The NAD C 298 Stereo Power Amplifier is designed to deliver exceptional clarity and control for high-performance music systems. Built around Purifi Eigentakt™ amplification, it allows loudspeakers to perform with greater precision and ease across a wide range of volumes. The C 298’s performance has earned international recognition from hi-fi and mainstream press, reflecting both its engineering and musical results. Designed to partner naturally with components such as the NAD C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC, the C 298 provides a stable, transparent foundation for advanced two-channel systems.
- Purifi Eigentakt™ amplifier technology for exceptionally low noise and distortion
- 185 watts per channel of continuous power into 8 ohms
- Bridgeable mono mode delivering up to 620 watts into 8 ohms
- Stable performance with demanding loudspeaker loads
- Balanced and single-ended analogue inputs for flexible system integration
- Input level control for precise matching with preamplifiers and sources
- Line output for daisy chaining additional amplifiers or system expansion
- Auto turn-on with selectable signal-sensing threshold
- 12V trigger input and output plus ground lug for use in complex systems
- Award-winning design recognised by EISA and The Absolute Sound
Purifi Eigentakt Amplification (Section 1 of 4)
The C 298 uses Purifi Eigentakt™ amplifier technology to minimise distortion and noise across the entire audible range. This exceptionally linear behaviour allows fine detail, spatial cues, and dynamic contrasts to emerge naturally from recordings. Loudspeakers are driven with greater precision and control, helping music sound more open and effortless, even at higher playback levels.
Power with Control and Headroom (Section 2 of 4)
The C 298 delivers high continuous power with generous dynamic reserves, allowing it to handle demanding musical peaks without strain. Its ability to remain stable with demanding loudspeakers ensures consistent performance across a wide range of designs. Whether reproducing subtle passages or wide dynamic swings, the presentation remains composed and authoritative.
Flexible Stereo or Mono Operation (Section 3 of 4)
Designed to adapt as systems evolve, the C 298 can operate as a high-performance stereo power amplifier or be bridged into a powerful monoblock delivering 620 watts into 8 ohms. This flexibility makes it easy to start with a single unit and add a second amplifier later when upgrading loudspeakers or expanding a system. Balanced and single-ended inputs, along with adjustable input levels, allow seamless integration with a wide variety of preamplifiers and sources.
Designed for Real-World Systems (Section 4 of 4)
Beyond raw power, the C 298 is engineered for practical system integration. Features such as auto turn-on with selectable threshold, 12V trigger connections, a line output for daisy chaining, and a dedicated ground lug simplify use in complex setups. These details help maintain low noise, reliable operation, and consistent performance in both visible and hidden installations.
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Professional Reviews 93/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
87/100
Value for Money
95/100
The NAD C 298 turns Purifi Eigentakt technology into a clean, fast powerhouse, pairing 185W per channel with taut bass control, vivid image placement and effortless low-noise resolution. HiFi News admired its exhilarating dynamics, while The Absolute Sound highlighted its precise, deeply layered soundstage. Bridging unlocks 620W of controlled power for demanding speakers.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers exceptionally fast, controlled dynamics and remains composed at high output.
Creates precise, spacious imaging with strong front-to-back layering and instrumental separation.
Clean, highly detailed and smooth presentation avoids harshness or Class D glare.
Flexible balanced and RCA connectivity, variable gain, triggers and 620W bridged-mono capability add genuine system-building versatility.
&
Cons
Bass is fast and well controlled, but carries slightly less weight than the Bryston reference used in comparison.
Its direct, slightly polite voicing may not satisfy listeners seeking overt tube-like warmth or extra top-end sparkle.
The functional, plain chassis and speaker binding posts feel less premium than the performance.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently describe a clean, direct and highly resolved presentation that remains smooth rather than etched. Its standout strengths are stable, spacious imaging and fast, controlled delivery, while its slightly polite upper treble and lighter bass weight than a larger Bryston reference are the recurring qualifications.
Transparency Resolution
94/100
The C 298 is repeatedly praised for its clarity: reviewers heard huge amounts of detail across the audioband, super-clear vocals, and very low apparent noise. HiFi News found little between listener and music, while StereoNET reported an accurate, truthful presentation with no audible hiss or transformer buzz on very sensitive speakers.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
Reviewers find the NAD balanced, natural and musically involving, with instruments and voices described as smooth, continuous and believable. It does not offer the overt warmth of some Class A/B or tube designs, and several writers note an ever-so-slightly polite or softened top end, but they also stress that it avoids dryness, glare and clinical detachment.
Dynamics
94/100
The C 298 earns especially strong praise for speed, rhythmic drive and control. HiFi News heard an astonishing sense of dynamism, transient snap and composure at high output, while other reviewers found its bass rock-solid, fast and tightly controlled; its 185Wpc rating, substantial 4-ohm output, and 620W bridged mode support use with demanding loudspeakers.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Imaging is one of the amplifier's most celebrated qualities. The Absolute Sound praised its fine-grained left-to-right placement and unusually deep front-to-back layering, while SoundStage heard firmly locked images with surprising space around them, even compared with a more expensive Bryston. One reviewer found the stage good rather than enormous, so the emphasis is on precision and layering rather than sheer scale.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
87/100
The compact, cool-running Class D chassis is considered practical and well executed, with balanced and single-ended inputs, trigger connections, auto-sensing, adjustable gain, daisy-chain outputs, and stereo/bridged-mono operation. Reviewers characterize the physical construction as perfectly acceptable and high quality without being lavish; the plain presentation and less-than-premium binding posts are the main reservations.
Value for Money
95/100
At roughly $1,999, reviewers repeatedly regard the C 298 as unusually compelling among power amplifiers below $5,000. The Absolute Sound calls it an unquestionable value, HiFi News calls it serious value, and SoundStage suggests it could save shoppers considering amplifiers up to $5,000 a substantial amount while delivering performance competitive with pricier references.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for NAD C 298
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Aalen Hifi — in-store — Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Alex Audio Video — in-store — Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria (website)
and 281 more verified dealers