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NAD C 338
The C 338 adds big sound to your favourite music sources and brings incredible flexibility to any stereo system. With Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, and the first-ever hi-fi amplifier to have built-in Chromecast, the C 338 allows you to stream and cast music directly from any music streaming app, letting you enjoy your music wirelessly. Add a turntable using the phono input and experience the warmth of vinyl collections with the room-filling sound of NAD’s HybridDigital amp technology.
NAD's Most Versatile Amplifier Ever with Chromecast built-in and Hybrid Digital Technology
Getting the Basics Right
Built with NAD’s renowned music-first approach to audio architecture and amp design, the C 338 is equipped with the most advanced components commonly found in NAD’s class-leading line of amplifiers. Always starting with the details you can hear and advancing from there, NAD develops low-noise circuitry with the precision and stability to deliver incredible, near-zero distortion sound for the most difficult speakers.
HybridDigital™ Amp Technology
The search for a high-performance Class D solution led NAD to HybridDigital, an innovative amplifier technology that uses a variable modulation frequency to bring out the life-like qualities of music, while reducing distortion under every operating condition. This highly optimized design gives phenomenal performance to the C 338 amplifier, both measured and subjective.
Efficient Class D Power
NAD has worked tirelessly to create the best performing Class D amplifiers that are energy efficient and produce beautiful sound—not heat—regardless of basic design principles. Using advanced measurements and data, NAD developed the C 338’s highly efficient power supply with a customised Hypex UCD output stage to pump out 50 watts continuously and over 200 watts instantaneously to meet the demands of the most dynamic music. This new design is very linear over a wide bandwidth and provides consistent, noise-free performance for the amplifying stages with near perfect regulation of voltage.
Always Ready for Streaming
The C 338 has Chromecast built-in so you can cast music, tunes, podcasts, and playlists from your favourite apps on your phone, tablet or laptop to your stereo system. Spotify Connect lets you discover millions of songs and stream them directly to your C 338 using the Spotify app for a rich, wireless music experience. With the added flexibility of Bluetooth, your music streaming possibilities are truly limitless with the C 338.
Built-in Phono Stage for Vinyl Listening
Using a MM phono stage and an innovative low-noise circuit path, the C 338 can reproduce the warmth of LPs with accurate RIAA equalization and control the infrasonic noise that is in all recordings, without ever affecting the bass response.
Flexible Connectivity
With a wide array of connections, including a separate headphone amplifier that can drive high-impedance studio monitor headphones, the C 338 is ready for any type of listening. Line inputs can accommodate all kinds of analogue source components, offering ideal input impedance with linear ultra-low noise buffer amplifiers to preserve the musicality of recordings. Also connect a subwoofer with low impedance line outputs and extend the versatility of this budget-friendly, do-it-all amplifier.
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NAD C 338 — compact hybrid power with built-in streaming
The NAD C 338 condenses NAD's hybrid Class D power and modern streaming into a compact integrated amplifier. Reviewers including Jim Milton (HomeTheaterHifi) and David Neice (Wall of Sound) praise its neutral, low-distortion character and the inclusion of a built-in phono stage and Burr Brown DAC. The sound blends tight, punchy bass with open mids and a pleasing sense of space, while dynamics and transient authority punch well above its 50W-per-channel rating.
Performance benefits from the Hypex UcD module and high peak-current capability; the C 338 runs cool and feels solidly built. With Chromecast built-in, app control, multiple digital inputs and a dedicated headphone amp, it suits streaming-first listeners, vinyl enthusiasts and compact system owners seeking a feature-rich, high-value integrated amp.
Pros
- Clean, low‑distortion, neutral presentation across digital, line and phono inputs with very low background noise.
- Exceptionally well‑equipped: Chromecast built‑in, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Burr Brown DAC, coax/optical inputs, moving‑mag phono stage, app/remote control and subwoofer/headphone outputs.
- Surprising dynamic headroom and punch for a compact 50W amp thanks to the Hypex UcD module, high peak current and strong damping.
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Cons
- Line‑level inputs can sound slightly soft with reduced stage depth compared with the digital and phono inputs.
- Relatively few analog inputs and no balanced/XLR options, which may limit users with many legacy components.
- Bluetooth is convenient but was judged by a reviewer to be inferior to Wi‑Fi/Chromecast for critical listening.
- Minor usability omissions noted: the front display does not show sample‑rate information and Ethernet connectivity is absent.
Sound Quality
89/100
Dynamics
90/100
Reviewers consistently note impressive dynamic authority for a 50W-per-channel hybrid Class D design ("dynamic power available is quite something", "allows you to really open up the volume control"). The Hypex UcD module and high peak current/damping specs translate to strong transient punch and headroom relative to its topology. This is an excellent showing for its power class, delivering lively PRaT and controlled slam without obvious strain.
Soundstage Imaging
87/100
Soundstage is generally wide and well-layered ("wide and deep", "sense of space... wonderfully realized"), with particularly improved width/depth when using the phono input. A few reviewers noted a slight softness or reduced depth from some line-level inputs, so staging is very good but not reference-class in every configuration.
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Build Quality
89/100
Build and finishing are praised ("build quality on this amp is really lovely"), with solid speaker posts and good thermal behavior ("runs cool in a confined space"). The use of a quality Hypex module and thoughtful layout contribute to reliable operation and perceived solidity for the price point.
Features Connectivity
95/100
Very well equipped: Chromecast built-in (network streaming), Bluetooth, built-in Burr Brown DAC, optical/coax digital inputs, moving-magnet phono stage, dedicated headphone amp, subwoofer output and remote/app support. These combined extras place the unit at the top end of the features band for an integrated amp in this segment.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers explicitly call out strong value (MSRP ~$649, "there isn’t much more an audiophile could ask for", "well worth the cost"). The combination of sound quality, dynamics, features and build at this price point is repeatedly described as a compelling package.
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