NAD Electronics, the renowned manufacturer of high-performance audio and video components, introduces a new level of value and performance with the C 399 Hybrid Digital DAC amplifier. This flagship integrated amplifier in NAD’s Classic Series employs HybridDigital nCore™ amplification, an exclusive technology until now available only on NAD’s Masters Series amplifiers. Using the 32-bit/384kHz ESS Sabre DAC, the same one used in NAD’s acclaimed M10 and M33 Masters series amplifiers, the digital section of the C 399 delivers crystal-clear and exceptional sound. In addition, the C 399 is the first amplifier to incorporate NAD’s latest MDC (Modular Design Construction) technology, MDC2. This technology allows users to customize their amplifier with optional modules that provide advanced features, such as BluOS Hi-Res multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live room correction, ensuring a fully customized listening experience.
NAD’s flagship Classic Series integrated amplifier, the C 399 Hybrid Digital DAC, is designed to deliver high quality audio performance and uncompromising durability. Equipped with a highly efficient and powerful HybridDigital nCore™ amplifier, with the capacity to deliver 180 watts of continuous power per channel and 250 watts of instantaneous power per channel, the C 399 can handle musical transients effortlessly and produce neutral, distortion-free sound even at very high listening levels.
According to Cas Oostvogel, NAD Electronics’ product manager, the C 399 is capable of reproducing all digital and analog sources at a level of excitement and refinement unprecedented in its class. With its precise volume control with accurate channel balance, low-noise circuitry, and correct input and output impedances, the C 399 is able to offer flat frequency response, clean clipping behavior with instantaneous recovery, high current capability, and stability in demanding low-impedance speaker loads.
NAD’s innovative MDC2 architecture also allows users to add optional modules such as BluOS Hi-Res multi-room music streaming, Dirac Live room correction and more, making the C 399 a centerpiece of a world-class music system today and for many years to come. The C 399’s HybridDigital nCore amplifier was developed with the utmost attention to detail, with minimal levels of harmonic distortion dominated by the sonically benign second and third harmonics. This enables the C 399 to produce exciting dynamics, exquisite detail and superb representation of space, making it an ideal choice for discerning audiophiles.
In addition, the C 399 is equipped with the premium ESS Sabre ES9028 DAC, known for its high dynamic range, ultra-low noise and distortion, and low clock jitter. This enables the C 399 to reproduce digital sources with exceptional musical sound, accurate imaging and remarkable clarity.
The future is promising for the C 399, thanks to the innovative Modular Design Construction (MDC) architecture introduced by NAD in 2006. Many NAD products have a slot on the rear panel for MDC modules, which allow features such as UHD (4K) support, HDMI switching, BluOS multi-room music playback, and Dolby Atmos surround processing to be added.
The C 399 is the first product to boast NAD’s new MDC2 architecture, which enables two-way communications between the module and the host component. This means that new features can be added in the future. The MDC2 BluOS-D, equipped with Wi-Fi and Ethernet, is an optional module that enables music playback from favorite streaming services via the acclaimed BluOS Controller app for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. In addition, like all BluOS Enabled products, it supports dozens of streaming services such as Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. Two-way communications also allow music from local sources connected to the C 399 to be streamed to BluOS Enabled components in other rooms.
The Dirac Live function allows users to measure the acoustics of their room using a supplied microphone and an intuitive app, then upload the correction curves into the MDC2 BluOS-D. This compensates for acoustic anomalies in listening rooms and improves bass clarity, imaging, and tonal accuracy. Due to its two-way architecture, the MDC2 BluOS-D performs Dirac Live room correction for all sources connected to the C 399.
The C 399 has multiple input options, including two optical and two coaxial digital inputs, as well as an HDMI-eARC port that allows audio to be played from the TV, enabling the TV remote to control the amplifier’s output. Analog enthusiasts have two pairs of RCA line inputs, as well as a MM phono stage with extremely precise RIAA equalization, low noise and high overload tolerance. In addition, the phono preamplifier features an innovative circuit that eliminates the infrasonic noise found on all vinyl records without compromising bass response. The line inputs are equipped with low-noise buffer amplifiers to ensure higher audio quality.
In addition to the two sets of speaker outputs, the C 399 features a preamp output jack and two subwoofer outputs. Dual-way Bluetooth aptX HD enables high-quality 24-bit streaming from mobile devices and high-quality playback of Bluetooth headphones. In addition, the C 399 is equipped with a dedicated headphone amplifier with low output impedance and high output voltage capability, enabling high-impedance studio monitor headphones.
Specifications
- nCore digital hybrid amplifier
- Continuous power: 180 watts per channel on 8/4 ohms
- Instantaneous power: 250 watts per channel
- Incredibly low harmonic and intermodulation distortion
- Dual MDC2 slots for extended functionality
- Optional MDC2 BluOS-D module adds BluOS multi-room streaming and Dirac Live environmental correction
- 32-bit/384kHz jitterless ESS Sabre DAC
- Ultra-low noise MM phono stage with infrasonic filter circuitry
- Two optical and two coaxial digital inputs
- HDMI-eARC input
- Two pairs of analog line-level inputs with low-noise buffer amplifiers
- Outputs for speakers A/Speaker B
- Bluetooth aptX HD two-way
- Dual subwoofer output
- Dedicated headphone amplifier
- IR remote control
- 12V Trigger in/out
- IR in/out
- RS-232 serial port for control integration with home automation systems
- Seamless integration with Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, Lutron, iPort, Elan, PUSH, and KNX smart home control systems
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