The NAD C 399 combines a high-quality preamplifier with analog and digital inputs, innovative HybridDigital™ nCore power amplifiers, and a high-resolution D/A converter into a powerful, universal HiFi amplifier. NAD's HybridDigital™ nCore technology, previously used only in high-end Masters models, makes the C 399 the new integrated amplifier flagship of the NAD Classic Series. The digital section of the C 399 features a 32-bit / 384 kHz ESS Sabre D/A converter – the same chip used in the NAD Masters M10 and M33 amplifiers.

The C 399 is also the first amplifier to be equipped with the latest generation of NAD’s Modular Design Construction (MDC) technology. This concept, now known as MDC2, allows the amplifier to be fitted with optional modules via rear-integrated slots, expanding the device's functionality to include features such as high-resolution BluOS™ multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live® room correction.

NEW INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER FLAGSHIP OF THE CLASSIC SERIES

Plenty of power

The HybridDigital™ nCore power amplifiers of the C 399 are highly efficient and remarkably powerful. They mobilize a continuous output power of 2 x 180 watts and reach impulse power peaks of up to 500 watts at 2 Ω. The HybridDigital™ nCore design is renowned for its wide bandwidth, extremely flat frequency response, clean clipping behavior, high current capability, and stability with demanding low-impedance loudspeaker loads. Noise and distortion remain vanishingly low under all operating conditions, which is why the C 399 always performs in a particularly neutral, dynamic, detailed, and spatial manner at all volume levels.

Also adopted from the Masters Series is the high-resolution ESS Sabre 9028 D/A converter, which is distinguished by its large dynamic range, extremely low noise, low distortion, and near-zero jitter. With this first-class D/A converter, the C 399 can reproduce all digital sources with astonishing musicality, precision, and breathtaking clarity.

Future-proof thanks to MDC2 modules

NAD introduced Modular Design Construction back in 2007. This innovative architecture makes it possible to expand the functional range of numerous NAD components with optional modules – even retrospectively. Currently available for the slots on the back of the device are MDC modules with HDMI inputs, for BluOS™ multi-room streaming, with Dolby Atmos® surround processing, and other functions.

The C 399 is the first product equipped with NAD's advanced MDC2 architecture. It enables bidirectional communication between the module and the component, thus opening the door to future upgrades. This allows C 399 owners to keep their device technically up-to-date and add future features.

The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module connects the amplifier to the internet via Wi-Fi and Ethernet, allowing music to be played from numerous streaming services through the C 399. These functions are controlled via the BluOS™ Controller app, which is available for Android, iOS, macOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows. Like all BluOS™-enabled products (Gen 2i and later), the new MDC2 module also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect. Thanks to bidirectional communication, music from local sources connected to the C 399 can also be transmitted to BluOS™-enabled components in other rooms.

Another component of the MDC2 BluOS-D module is the innovative Dirac Live® room correction. Using an app and the included microphone, Dirac Live® measures the acoustics of your living room and then saves the correction curves in the module. Frequency ranges that are too emphasized or too quiet are compensated for by Dirac Live®, which significantly improves bass precision, spatial imaging, and tonal balance.

Extensive connection options

The C 399 features two optical and two coaxial digital inputs, as well as an HDMI eARC connection for playing audio signals from a connected TV. Conveniently, this function is controlled via the TV remote. Analog fans get their money's worth with two RCA high-level inputs and a high-quality phono stage for magnet cartridges. The phono preamplifier is designed for ultra-precise RIAA equalization, extremely low noise, and high overload margins, and also features an innovative circuit that suppresses infrasonic components without affecting bass reproduction. The high-level inputs are equipped with low-noise buffer amplifiers to prevent sonic degradation.

In addition to the speaker terminals that can be switched for groups A and B, the C 399 has pre-amp outputs and two subwoofer outputs. Streaming music from a smartphone or tablet is possible wirelessly and in 24-bit resolution via Bluetooth® aptX™ HD – at the same time, a Bluetooth® headphone can be controlled. The C 399 also features a high-quality separate headphone amplifier with low output impedance and high output voltage, making it possible to drive even very high-quality, high-impedance studio monitor headphones.
KEY FEATURES

• HybridDigital™ nCore amplifier
• Continuous power: 2 x 180 W at 8 and 4 Ω
• Impulse power: 217 W at 8 Ω, 400 W at 4 Ω, 506 W at 2 Ω
• Extremely low THD and low intermodulation distortion
• Two slots for optional MDC2 modules
• Jitter-free 32-bit/384 kHz ESS Sabre D/A converter
• Extremely low-noise MM phono stage with infrasonic filter
• Two optical and two coaxial digital inputs
• Two analog high-level inputs with low-noise buffer amplifier
• HDMI eARC connection
• Two speaker groups (A/B)
• Bidirectional Qualcomm® Bluetooth® aptX™ HD for transmission and reception
• Two subwoofer outputs
• Separate headphone amplifier
• Infrared remote control
• 12 V trigger input/output
• IR input/output
• RS-232 serial interface
• The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module expands the functionality of the C 399 with high-resolution BluOS™ multi-room music streaming, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Dirac Live® room correction, and the ability to integrate into numerous smart home control systems

Timeless classic

Since the premiere of the legendary 3020 integrated amplifier in 1978, HiFi fans have valued the NAD brand for its outstanding sound quality combined with a fantastic price-performance ratio. The C 399 continues this tradition on a whole new level.

Like every NAD amplifier, the C 399 was developed based on all the foundations required for optimal sound quality: precise volume control with exact channel balance, low-noise circuits, and the correct input and output impedances. Yet with its HybridDigital™ nCore power amplifiers and the high-resolution ESS Sabre D/A converter, the C 399 reaches an audiophile level in the reproduction of all digital and analog audio sources that is unprecedented for an integrated amplifier of the Classic series.

Furthermore: Thanks to the innovative MDC2 platform, the C 399 is already perfectly prepared for future technologies today and will remain the powerful and universal centerpiece of high-quality music systems for decades to come. With the C 399 integrated amplifier, the NAD legend continues.

PREAMPLIFIER
Line Level Inputs and Outputs

THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz)<0.002% at 2 V outputSignal-to-Noise Ratio>106 dB (IHF; A-weighted, 500 mV output, unity gain)Channel Separation>100 dB (1 kHz); >90 dB (10 kHz)Input Impedance (R and C)56 kohms + 100 pFMaximum Input Level>4.6 V rms (0.1% THD)Output ImpedanceSource Z + 320 ohmsInput Sensitivity65 mV (500 mV output, volume at maximum)Frequency Response±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)Maximum Output Level
>5 V (0.1% THD)
Phono Input, Preamplifier Output

THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz)<0.01% at 2 V outputSignal-to-Noise Ratio>84 dB (200 ohm source; A-weighted, 500 mV output)Input Sensitivity1.08 mV (500 mV output, volume at maximum)Frequency Response20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.3 dBMaximum Input Level at 1 kHz>80 mV rms (0.1% THD)
Line Level Input, Headphone Output

THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz)<0.005% at 1 V outputSignal-to-Noise Ratio>107 dB (32 ohm load; A-weighted, 2 V output, unity gain)Frequency Response20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.3 dBChannel Separation>62 dB at 1 kHzOutput Impedance2.2 Ω
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous Output Power into 4 and 8 Ω2 x 180W (at rated THD, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, both channels driven)Dynamic Power2 x 217 W into 8 ohms
2 x 400 W into 4 ohms
2 x 506 W into 2 ohmsTHD (20 Hz – 20 kHz)<0.02% (250 mW to 180 W, 8 and 4 ohms)Signal-to-Noise Ratio>95 dB (A-weighted, 500 mV input and 1 W output into 8 ohms)Clipping Output Power>210 W (at 1 kHz, 0.1% THD)Max. Output Current
>26 A (into 1 Ω, 1 ms)Damping Factor>150 (8 Ω, 20 Hz – 6.5 kHz)Frequency Response20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.3 dBChannel Separation>90 dB (1 kHz)
>75 dB (10 kHz)Input Sensitivity (for 180 W into 8 Ω)Line Level: 201 mV; Digital input: 10.25% FSSupported Bitrate/Sampling Frequency
Up to 24 bit/192 kHzFrequency Band2.402 – 2.480 GHzMaximum Transmit Power
7 dBm ±2 dBm
POWER CONSUMPTION
Auto Standby ON and Network Standby OFF0.5 Watts*
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Dimensions (W x H x D)*435 x 120 x 390 mmWeight11.2 kg

Herstellerangaben:

Lenbrook Industries Ltd.
633 Granite Court
Ontario
L1W 3K1 , Pickering
Canada
blokhifi@lenbrook.com

Verantwortliche Person:

DALI GmbH
Berliner Ring 89
64625 , Bensheim
Germany
service@nad.de