NAD C 399 integrated amplifier

NAD C399

The C 399 uses NAD's Hypex HybridDigital nCore amplifier circuitry, previously only available in Masters Series amplifiers. Its digital section is built around a 32-bit/384kHz ESS Saber DAC, the same chip used in NAD's acclaimed M10 and M33 Masters Series amplifiers.

The C 399 is the first amplifier to feature the latest generation of NAD's Modular Design Construction (MDC) technology. MDC2 allows users to add optional modules that offer features such as BluOS multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live room correction.

Perfect performance

The HybridDigital nCore amplifier of the C 399 comes from NAD's Masters Series and delivers a continuous output of 180 watts per channel and an instantaneous output of 250 watts per channel. Highly efficient and remarkably powerful, the HybridDigital nCore amplifier can produce musical transients with ease. The design is known for its wide bandwidth, flat frequency response, clean clipping with instant recovery, high current handling, and stability under demanding low-impedance speaker loads. Noise and distortion are negligible under all operating conditions. The low harmonic distortions are dominated by the sonically harmless second and third harmonics. The Hypex nCore design enables the C 399 to produce a neutral, distortion-free sound even at very high volumes, with exquisite attention to detail, excellent spatial representation and thrilling dynamics.

Also carried over from the Masters series is the high-resolution ESS Saber 9028 DAC, a design characterized by near-zero clock jitter, extremely low noise and distortion, and wide dynamic range. With this top-notch DAC, the C 399 can reproduce all your digital sources with amazing musicality, breathtaking clarity and accurate sound reproduction.

future proof

In 2007, NAD introduced modular design, an innovative architecture for adding new functionality to existing components. Many NAD products feature rear panel slots for MDC modules that perform HDMI switching, BluOS multi-room music streaming, Dolby Atmos surround processing, and other functions.

The C 399 is the first product to feature NAD's new MDC2 architecture. MDC2 enables bi-directional communication between the module and the component, opening the future for new upgrades.

Equipped with Wi-Fi and Ethernet, the optional MDC2 BluOS-D module allows listeners to play music from their favorite streaming services through the C 399 using the acclaimed BluOS Controller app for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows . Like all BluOS-enabled products, the MDC2 BluOS-D offers built-in support for dozens of streaming services and supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. With two-way communication, the MDC2 BluOS-D can also stream music from sources connected to the C 399 to BluOS-enabled components in other rooms.

With the Dirac Live feature, you can measure the acoustics of your room using a supplied microphone and an intuitive app, and then upload correction curves to the MDC2 BluOS-D. By compensating for acoustic anomalies in your listening environment, Dirac Live dramatically improves bass clarity, imaging and timbre accuracy. Thanks to its two-way architecture, the MDC2 BluOS-D performs room correction for all sources connected to your C 399.

Everything is connected

The C 399 can record all your digital and analogue sources. Its MM phono stage offers ultra-precise RIAA equalization, extremely low noise and high headroom. The phono preamp also features innovative circuitry that suppresses infrasonic noise present on all LPs without sacrificing bass response. There are two sets of line level inputs with low noise buffer amplifiers to avoid sonic degradation. The C 399 features two optical and two coaxial digital inputs, as well as an HDMI eARC connection for playback of audio signals from a connected TV, with the ability to control the amplifier output via the TV remote control.

In addition to the two speaker outputs, the C 399 has preamp outputs and two subwoofer outputs. Two-way apt-X HD Bluetooth enables 24-bit streaming from mobile devices and high-quality output to Bluetooth headphones. A special headphone amplifier with low output impedance and high output voltage is also integrated, enabling the C 399 to drive demanding, high-impedance studio monitor headphones.

A timeless classic

Like every NAD amp ever made, the C 399 has all the right fundamentals: precise volume control with accurate channel balance, low-noise circuitry, and correct input and output impedances. But he goes far beyond these basics. With its HybridDigital nCore output stage and high-resolution ESS Saber DAC, the C 399 can reproduce all your digital and analog sources with a level of excitement and refinement unparalleled in a Classic Series integrated amplifier.

Thanks to NAD's innovative MDC2 platform, the C 399 can keep pace with future developments. Basically, MDC2 eliminates the need for obsolescence. The C 399 can serve as the heart of a world-class music system today and for years to come. The legend continues with the C 399 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier from NAD.

features and details

Hybrid digital nCore amplifier
Continuous power: 180 watts per channel at 8/4 ohms
Instantaneous power: 250 watts per channel
Vanishingly low harmonic and intermodulatory distortion
Two MDC2 connectors for extended functionality
Optional MDC2 BluOS-D module for BluOS multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction
Jitter-free 32-bit/384kHz ESS Saber DAC
Ultra-low-noise MM phono stage with infrasonic filter circuitry
Two optical and two coaxial digital inputs
HDMI eARC input
Two pairs of line-level analog inputs with low-noise buffer amplifiers
Speaker A/Speaker B outputs
Two-way aptX-HD Bluetooth
Two subwoofer outputs
Dedicated headphone amplifier
IR remote control
12V trigger input/output
IR input/output
RS-232 serial port for integration into home automation systems
Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, AMX, Savant, Elan certified