When it comes to digital amplifiers, NAD is always one of the top choices to go to and has quite a number of highly successful models over the years. The NAD C368 may not be as popular but it is still well-received and has the features to provide tons of value to its users. If you are one of the proud owners of the C368 and are planning to get a new pair of speakers to match with this hybrid digital DAC amplifier then look no further as we will be listing out the best matching speakers to go for later on.
To find matching speakers for this talented digital amp will require additional knowledge of its sonic characteristics and also how well it can perform. By learning more about the NAD C368’s strengths and weaknesses, we can easily match the right speakers and even fine-tune the overall sound reproduction to our own liking. So without further, let’s start by finding out more about the C368 digital amplifier.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of NAD C368
The NAD C368 has a minimalistic and clean look with an emphasis on the digital display which has striking colored backgrounds behind some of the digital texts that makes it look unique and different from other competitors. The modern visual design of this integrated amplifier will fit in nicely in most homes and minimalistic house interiors. It should not have any issue matching aesthetically with most modern speakers as well. The rated power outputs of the NAD C368 are pretty good, it can deliver 80 Watts per channel into 8/4 Ohms. The digital amplifier’s IHF Dynamic power provides an even higher output for a short-term period. NAD C368 should be able to power most bookshelf speakers and also floor-standing speakers that are not difficult to drive.
It comes built-in with a plethora of features, such as the preamp/subwoofer output which will prove useful when you want to improve the overall bass performance. The D/A converter and Bluetooth connectivity (with aptX supported) are also very handy when it comes to music streaming from mobile devices and/or playing digital music files. Another notable feature will be the Modular Design Construction (MDC), allowing you to add a 4K video capable HDMI module which enables the NAD C368 to pass through 4K UHD video signals. This makes the NAD digital integrated amplifier suitable for both music and home theater use.
More Details at Amazon – NAD C368 Integrated Amplifier
NAD C368 is able to deliver a pleasing music presentation that never sounds harsh no matter how hard we push the volume. It is smooth sounding and with a hint of warmth which we find will be great for playing vinyl or analog sources. It is composed and rather polite as it does not have that type of pacing and timing which keeps your toes tapping throughout the song. The enthusiasm is a bit lacking but the big full-bodied sound quality does distract us from its shortfall. The scale of the sound reproduction of the NAD C368 does engage you and the level of insights helps you to fully focus on the music.
The low-end reproduction is equally impressive, it is large and weighty but overall it still sounded natural. For movies, the bass performance is taut and agile, doesn’t have that grand slam and impact though. Still, with the right subwoofer, we are sure it can improve the home theater experience. For music, we love how fluid and refine the NAD C368 delivers the music. The tad laid-back music presentation is easy on the ears where it allows us to listen to our favorite tunes for hours without feeling our ears strained. There are times where you can notice the lack of clarity in the subtle details though.
The overall sound reproduction of the NAD C368 is neutral with a hint of warmness and the pacing is quite relaxed as well. It is good when it comes to 2.1 home theater performance and when it comes to music playbacks, we find that the C368 amp performs better. It is a wonderfully flexible digital amplifier and the versatility provides its user with plenty of options on how he/she can use the NAD C368. We have the necessary information needed to start sharing with you the best speakers which you can choose to pair with the NAD C368 digital amp. The price points of the speakers will be taken into account as well.
NAD C368 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 80 Watts per channel into 8/4 Ohms (RMS)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005% (2V out)
- Wireless: Bluetooth A2DP with aptX supported
- Inputs: 2 Optical inputs, 2 Coaxial inputs, 1 Phono input, 2 RCA inputs
- Outputs: Headphone output, 1 Pre-out/Subwoofer output
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 435mm x 100mm x 390mm (17.1″ x 3.9″ x 15.4″)
- Weight: 7.8kg (17.2lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with NAD C368
The Dali Oberon 5 will be one of the best speakers that you can pick and match with the NAD C368 amplifier. These are engaging floor-standers that can provide you with a rhythmic and energetic music performance. The enthusiastic performance of the Oberon 5 comes with great details as well where subtle and intricate musical nuances are delivered to you in an organized fashion. The warm sound nature of the NAD C368 helps ease the hard edges a little and both of them match each other really well. If you want to receive more emotion and energy from your music then you should definitely audition the Dali Oberon 5 floor-standing speakers.
More Details at Amazon – Dali Oberon 5 Floorstanding Speaker
Mission QX-2 is another energetic performer but in a smaller package. It is a modestly priced award-winning bookshelf speaker that is agile and confident when it comes to music delivery. The NAD C368 has the muscles to really make the QX-2 stand-mounters sing and enabling them to deliver bass frequencies with quite an impressive amount of weight. You will still need to connect an active subwoofer to prominently produce the deep bass frequencies. The Mission QX-2 energetic music performance is also packed with details and they are adept in handling most music genres.
More Details at Amazon – Mission QX-2
The Fyne Audio F302 is a pair of floor-standing speakers that are here to entertain you by delivering a lively and forward music presentation. The soundstage which the F302 can project is wide and deep, with plenty of details to boot. The dynamics and sense of timing are amazing providing the listeners with an impactful crescendo. The bass performance is agile and tight as well. The smooth and warm sound characteristics of the NAD C368 suit the Fyne Audio F302 as it eases the brightness by a little. For a pair of floor-standers at this price point, the F302 is really worth every penny invested.
The Q Acoustics Concept 20 is one of the best bookshelf speakers to partner up with your NAD C368 digital amp. These stand-mounters have won many awards and garnered plenty of praises over the years. The sonic characteristics of the Q Acoustics Concept 20 are quite similar to the C368 as well which makes them very matching. Both are musical sounding with pleasing sound quality and refinement. The speakers also have a high level of clarity and do provide enough attack so that it doesn’t sound too relaxed. The modest price point of the Concept 20 speakers makes it even more worthwhile to check them out.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 20 Bookshelf Speaker
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 will be an ideal speaker choice if you prefer warm sounding audio system. The easy-going and pleasing sound reproduction of the Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers makes it easy to match with most amplifiers including the NAD C368. These sweet-sounding speakers do also produce very detailed music presentations with insights and the bass reproduction has ample weight which helps to deliver a satisfying full-bodied low frequency. You can push the volume up and the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 will not sound overly harsh, allowing you to listen to your favorite music for hours. If you are a turntable user, you really should have a listen with these Wharfedale speakers.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Speakers
Choosing the same brand subwoofers as your speakers are one of the safer options but may not give you the sonic performance that you want, even though they share similar sound signatures. Usually going for brands that specialize in making high-quality subwoofers are a better choice, for instance, SVS, Rythmik Audio, HSU Research, and others. There are still a few more brands that we didn’t mention but these are the more affordable ones. Since you are likely to use the NAD C368 for music playbacks, you might want to check out Rythmik’s F12SE which is an award-winning sealed audiophile subwoofer. For home theater performances, the SVS PB-2000 Pro will be a better option as it has the higher bass output and maximum SPL but does lack accuracy and tautness when compared to Rythmik F12SE.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-2000 Pro (Black Ash)
To Sum It Up
You can shortlist some of the speakers that are listed here based on your requirements and budget, so as to arrange an audition with them to see if you like what you hear. It will be better if you could do a side-by-side comparison and hear the difference in sound quality on the spot. Do use your favorite song/music during the audition as it will be easier for you to judge their sound quality. Sometimes it may take a few rounds of auditions before you can finally pick one which sounds the best to you.
