NAD C 399 integrated amplifier incl. BluOS2d Network-Module

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/384 kHz ESS Sabre DAC, the same chip used in NAD's acclaimed M10 and M33 Masters Series amplifiers.

The C 399 is the first amplifier equipped with NAD's latest generation of 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 C 399's HybridDigital nCore amplifier, from NAD's Masters Series, delivers 180 watts of continuous power per channel and 250 watts of instantaneous power per channel. This highly efficient and remarkably powerful amplifier effortlessly reproduces musical transients. Its design is renowned for its wide bandwidth, flat frequency response, clean clipping behavior with instantaneous recovery, high current handling capability, and stability with demanding low-impedance speaker loads. Noise and distortion are negligible under all operating conditions. The low harmonic distortion is dominated by the sonically inoffensive second and third harmonics. The Hypex nCore design allows the C 399 to deliver a neutral, distortion-free sound even at very high volumes, with exquisite detail, outstanding spatial imaging, and captivating dynamics.

Also adopted from the Masters series is the high-resolution ESS Sabre 9028 DAC, a design characterized by near-zero clock jitter, extremely low noise and distortion, and a wide dynamic range. With this top-of-the-line DAC, the C 399 can reproduce all your digital sources with astonishing musicality, breathtaking clarity, and precise sound reproduction.

Future-proof

In 2007, NAD introduced modular design, an innovative architecture for adding new features to existing components. Many NAD products have slots on the back 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 equipped with NAD's new MDC2 architecture. MDC2 enables bidirectional communication between the module and the component, thus opening up future upgrade possibilities.

The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module features Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, allowing 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, including Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. Through two-way communication, the MDC2 BluOS-D can also transmit music from sources connected to the C 399 to BluOS-enabled components in other rooms.

With the Dirac Live function, you can measure your room's acoustics using the included 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 significantly improves bass clarity, imaging, and tonal 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 analog sources. Its MM phono stage offers ultra-precise RIAA equalization, extremely low noise, and high headroom. The phono preamplifier also features an innovative circuit that suppresses infrasonic noise present in all LPs without compromising bass response. There are two sets of line-level inputs with low-noise buffer amplifiers to prevent sound degradation. The C 399 has two optical and two coaxial digital inputs, as well as an HDMI eARC connection for playing back audio signals from a connected television, with the amplifier output controllable via the television's remote control.

In addition to its two speaker outputs, the C 399 features preamp outputs and two subwoofer outputs. Two-way aptX HD Bluetooth enables 24-bit streaming from mobile devices and high-quality output to Bluetooth headphones. Furthermore, a dedicated headphone amplifier with low output impedance and high output voltage is integrated, allowing the C 399 to drive demanding high-impedance studio monitor headphones.

A timeless classic

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

Thanks to NAD's innovative MDC2 platform, the C 399 can keep pace with future developments. Essentially, MDC2 eliminates 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 NAD C 399 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier.

Features and details

Hybrid Digital nCore Amplifier
Continuous power output: 180 watts per channel at 8/4 ohms
Instantaneous power output: 250 watts per channel
Negligible 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 circuit
Two optical and two coaxial digital inputs
HDMI eARC input
Two pairs of analog line-level 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
Serial RS-232 port for integration into home automation systems
Certified by Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, AMX, Savant, and Elan