NAD C298 Stereo Amplifier Review

[Vigovsky]

"or the company could issue a board replacement which would more or less be plug n play."

This is partly true, of course.

But even small manufacturers can replace boards, components, modules, etc.
Here is an example regarding my amplifier VR-03B (with Purifi 1ET400A).
New Power Supply Ectifier Board PW-2-PRE for Purifi buffer input stage (2 X OPA1612).
In general, there are no problems replacing components.
By the way, instead of a good encapsulated BV EI transformer, I now install a 2x18V toroidal
transformer specially created for this power line. Toroidal - quieter.
I remain a supporter of classic transformer power supply. I also appreciate the timbre sound of musical instruments (tones).
I continue to improve and optimize the amplifier design...
In general, this is not some kind of special business project.

 

[steadilyfred]

I just noticed The Audio Factory (Lenbrook's online outlet store) currently has re-certified NAD C 298 in stock. Looks like all products are covered with a 30-day return and 365-day warranty/exchange policy.

• US - $1,539
• Canada - $1,759

I think you can also save an additional 10% on your first purchase if you sign up for their newsletter (sign up at bottom of webpage).

https://theaudiofactory.com/collections/nad-electronics/products/c298-stereo-power-amplifier

 

[Werther44210]

Hmmm,
even audiophonic's brand does it better for half the price ... though no dealer/reseller In-between...

Hi,

I discovered this on their site, Audiophonics has very good Purifi amps from what I have seen and with a less elitist price, the main fault of Nad is the price which I find high like the M33 for example. It's good that players like Audiophonics are making this excellent method of class D amplification more popular.

 

[Aventador_SVJ]

I use a C298 with a miniDSP SHD (with Roon and Dirac Live) in one of my systems.

Tough to complain...

I too have the C298 with MiniDSP SHD (with Dirac Live) and choose the C298 because of Purifi and the fact it has auto sense switch on and then switches itself off after several minutes of non-use, making it more user friendly than other Purifi amplifier designs.

I'm impressed with the NAD (and the MiniDSP).

 

[roog]

I too have the C298 with MiniDSP SHD (with Dirac Live) and choose the C298 because of Purifi and the fact it has auto sense switch on and then switches itself off after several minutes of non-use, making it more user friendly than other Purifi amplifier designs.

I'm impressed with the NAD (and the MiniDSP).

@Aventador_SVJ Can I ask is it easy enough to set up Dirac live on the mini DSP please? I am not very IT literate.

 

[Holdt]

@Aventador_SVJ Can I ask is it easy enough to set up Dirac live on the mini DSP please? I am not very IT literate.

Hi Roog
It's quite simple. Use the manual and you should be good.

 

[roog]

Thank you for your reassurance, however I have previously run through the manual and I found it all a bit confusing, also I don’t recall any mention of Dirac.

Perhaps there are YouTube video which might take me through the process step by step?

 

[Sparkles]

I use a C298 with a miniDSP SHD (with Roon and Dirac Live) in one of my systems.

Tough to complain...

Ditto.

Bluesound Node digital into MiniDsp Flex XLR into NAD C298.

Node and Flex replaced a NAD C658 and while Dirac was user friendly, tinkering with REW is just fine.

I'll ensure fixed gain as per Amir's review.

 

[VintageFlanker]

For EU fellows...

(Europe) Master Deals Thread on Audio Product Sales

Denon AVC-X4800H, Black or Silver, 1499€ (2199€) at Projekt Akustik : https://www.projekt-akustik.de/denon-avc-x4800h-schwarz damn, they are getting cheaper than x700h last year. Should I haven't gotten x4700h, would buy this in a heart beat

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Ludovic Alexandre]

These rotten terminal blocks are not worthy of a device of this price. nad doesn't care about the world.

last experience with this manufacturer for my part

 

[TomekNet]

I run both NAD C298 and Buckeye power amps in my system (and also Audiophonics gear on Purifi and Hypex). If I were buying power amps again I'd just go all-Buckeye Amps and save some cash.

 

[pogo]

Buckeye Purifi Amp:
450w @ 2ohm (peak)
425w @ 4ohm (peak)
225w @ 8ohm (peak)

I prefer the NAD especially because of its power @2 ohms and the possibility of bridging: Link

 

[Werther44210]

I run both NAD C298 and Buckeye power amps in my system (and also Audiophonics gear on Purifi and Hypex). If I were buying power amps again I'd just go all-Buckeye Amps and save some cash.

Having an Audiophonics HPA-S-400 recently purchased (200W at 8Ω, 2x400W at 4Ω), there is the most powerful 500 :
2x500W at 4Ω or 2x250W at 8Ω, I find it good for the price, otherwise at Nad, if we don't look at the money, NAD M23 possibility of bridging:
2*380W at 4Ω
2*200W at 8Ω

 

[pogo]

These are the correct measurements for the M23: Link

 

[Werther44210]

These are the correct measurements for the M23: Link

Thank you, it's more precise, I know this site well, Audiophonics sells the M23 as a reference power amp in Hi Fi and its own as a tighter budget alternative. I took one of theirs because it was mounted on an HC installation with a Denon 8500 having an integrated one on my Hi-Fi installation, I hesitated with the C298, but the price/performance/sound quality ratio was in favor of the HPA- S-400.