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Comparison NAD C356BEE vs NAD C326BEE

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NAD C356BEE
NAD C326BEE
NAD C356BEENAD C326BEE
from $888.00 up to $1,402.52
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Device typeintegrated amplifierintegrated amplifier
Element basetransistortransistor
Toroidal transformer
Amplifier parameters
Number of channels22
Frequency range
20 – 20000 Hz /±0,3 дБ/
20 – 20000 Hz /± 0,1 дБ/
Power per channel (8Ω)80 W50 W
Signal to noise ratio106 dB
100 dB /A-weighted, ref. 500 mV/
Signal-to-noise ratio (Main)120 dB
117 dB /A-weighted, right. 150 W/
Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)75/78 dB
Damping factor100100
Harmonic distortion0.007 %
0.004 % /0.009% for Main entry/
Channel sensitivity / impedance
Line input
166 mV
22 kOhm
159 mV
100 kOhm
Main input
0.95 V
20 kOhm
0.63 V
20 kOhm
Phono MM/MC
18/1.6 mV
47/0.1 kOhm
 
 
REC output
1 kOhm
1 kOhm
Preout
0.08 kOhm
0.07 kOhm
Connectors
Inputs
RS-232
control input (IR)
 
control input (IR)
To amplifier (Main)RCARCA
RCA7 pairs7 pairs
Outputs
Pre-Amp /two pairs/
 
control output (IR)
Pre-Amp
to subwoofer
control output (IR)
For acoustics4 шт2 шт
REC (to recorder)2 pairs1 pairs
Trigger output1 шт1 шт
Front panel
indicators
audio input jack
headphone output
indicators
audio input jack /Aux 3.5mm/
headphone output
Features
Adjustments
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
More features
By-pass/Direct
additional speaker connect
Bi-Wiring
external devices control
By-pass/Direct
 
 
external devices control
General
Remote control
PSUinternalinternal
Power consumption350 W290 W
Standby consumption0.5 W1 W
Dimensions (WxDxH)435х337х131 mm435х332х116 mm
Weight8.7 kg6.9 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalogjanuary 2014january 2014

Power per channel (8Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when operating with a load having a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 8 ohms. In our catalog, this parameter is indicated for the mode when all channels of the amplifier work under load (see "Number of channels"); in the presence of unused channels, the rated power may be slightly higher, but this mode cannot be called standard.

Rated power can be simply described as the highest output signal power at which the amplifier is able to work stably for a long time (at least an hour) without negative consequences. These are average figures, because in fact, the audio signal is by definition unstable, and individual level jumps can significantly exceed the rated power. However, it is she who is the main basis for assessing the overall loudness of the sound.

This indicator also determines which speakers can be connected to the amplifier: their rated power should not be lower than that of the amplifier.

According to the laws of electrodynamics, with different dynamic load resistance, the output power of the amplifier will also be different. In modern speakers, the standard values \u200b\u200bare 8, 6, 4 and 2 Ohms, and power levels are indicated for them.

Signal to noise ratio

In itself, the signal-to-noise ratio is the ratio of the level of pure sound produced by the amplifier to the level of extraneous noise that occurs during its operation. This parameter is the main indicator of the overall sound quality — and very clear, because. its measurement takes into account almost all the noise that affects the sound in normal operating conditions. A level of 70 – 80 dB in modern amplifiers can be considered acceptable, 80 – 90 dB is not bad, and for advanced audiophile-class devices, a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 100 dB is considered mandatory.

If the specifications do not specify for which output the signal-to-noise ratio is indicated, it usually means its value for the linear input (see "RCA (par)"). This is quite enough to evaluate the quality of the device for this parameter. However, some manufacturers indicate it for other inputs — Main, Phono; see below for more on this.

Signal-to-noise ratio (Main)

Signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is operating through the Main input. For more details on the value of the signal-to-noise ratio, see the relevant paragraph above, about the Main input — p. "Input to the amplifier (Main)".

Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)

signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is driven through the Phono input. This interface is for connecting turntables; its features are described in the “Inputs” section below, and for the meaning of any signal-to-noise ratio, see the corresponding section above.

Harmonic distortion

This indicator describes the amount of non-linear distortion introduced by the amplifier into the processed signal. Such distortions are not necessarily perceived as extraneous noise, but they degrade the quality of the sound anyway — for example, they can make it more deaf. It is almost impossible to avoid them, but it can be reduced to levels inaudible to the human ear.

As a result, the harmonic distortion factor (harmonics) is one of the main parameters describing the overall sound quality in Hi-Fi and Hi-End amplifiers. The lower it is, the clearer the sound. Hundredths of a percent are considered a good indicator for modern amplifiers, thousandths and below are excellent. The exceptions are tube and hybrid models, for which rather high harmonic coefficients are allowed; see "Element base" for more details.

Line input

The sensitivity and dynamic impedance of the amplifier when a signal is applied to the RCA line input.

Under the sensitivity of any input (except optical) is meant the lowest signal voltage at this input, at which the amplifier is able to provide normal nominal power values (see "Power per channel (8Ω)"). This parameter determines, first of all, the requirements for the signal source. On the one hand, the voltage provided by this source must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the amplifier, otherwise the latter simply will not give the claimed characteristics. However, a significant excess in voltage should not be allowed, otherwise the sound will begin to be distorted. More detailed recommendations on choosing an amplifier by sensitivity are described in special sources.

For any input other than optical, it is believed that the higher this indicator, the less distortion the amplifier introduces into the signal. The minimum level of input impedance in modern models is considered to be 10 kOhm, and in high-end devices it can reach several hundred kOhm.

Main input

The sensitivity and dynamic impedance of the amplifier when a signal is applied to the Main input.

Under the sensitivity of any input (except optical) is meant the lowest signal voltage at this input, at which the amplifier is able to provide normal nominal power values (see "Power per channel (8Ω)"). This parameter determines, first of all, the requirements for the signal source. On the one hand, the voltage provided by this source must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the amplifier, otherwise the latter simply will not give the claimed characteristics. However, a significant excess in voltage should not be allowed, otherwise the sound will begin to be distorted. More detailed recommendations on choosing an amplifier by sensitivity are described in special sources.

For any input other than optical, it is believed that the higher this indicator, the less distortion the amplifier introduces into the signal. The minimum level of input impedance in modern models is considered to be 10 kOhm, and in high-end devices it can reach several hundred kOhm.

Phono MM/MC

The sensitivity and dynamic impedance of the amplifier when a signal is applied to the Phono MM/MC input.

Under the sensitivity of any input (except optical) is meant the lowest signal voltage at this input, at which the amplifier is able to provide normal nominal power values (see "Power per channel (8Ω)"). This parameter determines, first of all, the requirements for the signal source. On the one hand, the voltage provided by this source must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the amplifier, otherwise the latter simply will not give the claimed characteristics. However, a significant excess in voltage should not be allowed, otherwise the sound will begin to be distorted. More detailed recommendations on choosing an amplifier by sensitivity are described in special sources.

For any input other than optical, it is believed that the higher this indicator, the less distortion the amplifier introduces into the signal. The minimum level of input impedance in modern models is considered to be 10 kOhm, and in high-end devices it can reach several hundred kOhm.

Preout

Signal level and dynamic impedance provided by the device at the preamplifier output (see "Outputs" for details).

The signal level must not be lower than the sensitivity of the power amplifier (see "Type") to which the signal is received — otherwise the power amplifier will not be able to provide a normal signal level already at its outputs.

Dynamic resistance (impedance) of the preamplifier output. This value is exactly the same as the input impedance of the REC output — see the relevant paragraph above. For more information about the exit itself, see "Exits".
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