NAD C298 Stereo Amplifier Review

[Rudguy66]

I purchased the C298 building a new system for my dedicated audio room. It's driving a pair of JBL L100 Classic 75th Anniversary speakers and I'm extremely happy with it and the way it pairs with the JBL's. It seems to have excellent control over the big 12" woofers, and offers tight low end extension. It is also very pleaing the the highs to my ears. On power it is far more than I will ever need in this room with the JBL's, dynamics are a cakwalk with the C298.

On the review . . . to me the price is quite fair considering the cost of high end amps these days. On aesthetics, I always like the utilitarian Grey that NAD uses. The Master series has much fancier casework, but it apears that internally the purifi amps in the master series are very very similar, so I opted for the "run of the mill" C298 As far as the holes on the top of the case being only over one of the internal heatsinks, I don't think it has much of an affect as the amp creates almost no heat at all at any ambient temp or usage.

Great to read your review, the specs seem to mirror my personal results with the amplifier.

Cheers!

 

[delamelon]

I just bought the C298 to replace my two Onkyos which were bridged.
power level is the same, but I find a higher level on the high frequencies.
on the other hand I lack bass I find (which I also felt with the B&W).. I know that the B&W 702 are difficult to drive.
I have two SB3000s in my cinema room, I will have to test with my two towers to see if I have a more!

 

[pogo]

I lack bass

This is normal behavior, as the NAD has more control over the bass range.

 

[roog]

But, but, but, the Onkyos have massive VU meters :0)

 

[Rudguy66]

View attachment 365075

I just bought the C298 to replace my two Onkyos which were bridged.
power level is the same, but I find a higher level on the high frequencies.
on the other hand I lack bass I find (which I also felt with the B&W).. I know that the B&W 702 are difficult to drive.
I have two SB3000s in my cinema room, I will have to test with my two towers to see if I have a more!

The C298 has vice grip like control over the bass drivers in my experience. Very tight and lighning fast low frequency extension, so I'm surprised that you're finding the C298 "lack" bass.

 

[delamelon]

But, but, but, the Onkyos have massive VU meters :0)

oh yeah baby!!!

The C298 has vice grip like control over the bass drivers in my experience. Very tight and lighning fast low frequency extension, so I'm surprised that you're finding the C298 "lack" bass.

the problem comes from my 702 I think... is the 2x185W for 8 Ohms enough knowing that they require 300W?

 

[pogo]

Onkyos in bridge-mode: DF = 65 @8ohms
NAD: DF > 800 @8ohms

 

[Rudguy66]

oh yeah baby!!!

the problem comes from my 702 I think... is the 2x185W for 8 Ohms enough knowing that they require 300W?

The C298 is more than enough to drive those speakers. They are IIRC a 90db efficient speaker that run around 4 ohms nominal.

The 298 puts out 340watts continuous into that impedance, with instantaneous peak power into 4 ohms at 490watts! That is a LOT of power, especially for a 90db efficient speaker. It's hard to imagine any situation needing more power in that system.

You may be misinterprating the specs. The are are rated at 30w to 300w for amplifier power, they don't actually need 300wpc to be properly driven, that would be a TON of power. You should be all set on power requirements.

 

[Sal1950]

But, but, but, the Onkyos have massive VU meters :0)

oh yeah baby!!!

I was just going to ask if the Onkyo's were for sale.
But I see your in France so shipping knocks that out.

 

[pogo]

the problem comes from my 702

Not really, see also here: Link
The T+A purifi amp has a DF switch DF HI = 800, DF LO = 70

 

[delamelon]

I trust you, but this is B&W data.

Nominal impedance: 8Ω (minimum 3.1Ω)
Recommended amplifier power: 30W - 300W into 8Ω on unclipped programme

I'm probably interpreting them wrong
thank you for reassuring me, I'm going to try the sub to see... I'm missing the little punch but that's okay, it's very very good otherwise!

 

[delamelon]

Not really, see also here: Link
The T+A purifi amp has a DF switch DF HI = 800, DF LO = 70

DF? what is it (sorry)?

 

[Sal1950]

DF? what is it (sorry)?

Damping Factor

 

[delamelon]

I was just going to ask if the Onkyo's were for sale.
But I see your in France so shipping knocks that out.

sorry I will keep them

 

[pogo]

DF?

T+A A200 (purifi) with switchable DF:
'A high damping factor tends to produce a more clearly defined, very precise and analytical sound image, whereas a reduced damping factor produces a more warm and softer sound image.' <- extract from the manual

 

[delamelon]

Thanks gentlemen to all this details

 

[MacCali]

View attachment 365075

I just bought the C298 to replace my two Onkyos which were bridged.
power level is the same, but I find a higher level on the high frequencies.
on the other hand I lack bass I find (which I also felt with the B&W).. I know that the B&W 702 are difficult to drive.
I have two SB3000s in my cinema room, I will have to test with my two towers to see if I have a more!

I have the M23 and that’s the situation I find. I will say I try to be reasonable as what I enjoy as bass may not be accurate bass reproduction.

However I will say it definitely makes the speaker feel more tighter, or cleaner. I do not know how to explain it. My old amps provided a more visceral bass experience where it’s present in the room and you can feel it in the room. I’m not saying the bass disappears but switching the amps the bass presentation is different. Oddly most if not all subwoofers are class D and provide visceral bass.

That’s a whole other topic I’ve debated previously when it comes to class D to most other relevant topologies. It’s my personal experience that people like to debate. Similarly before purchasing and demoing the amp on multiple speakers I felt the same thing, the bass reproduction is different but the overall performance is phenomenal

 

[pogo]

I can guarantee you that my passive sub is noticeable on the M33

You can now hear your speakers unaltered.

 

[delamelon]

next weekend's mission, moving an SB3000 and testing!