Integrated amplifiers — NAD C 389

Description, images, technical data and specifications

NAD C 389
Image source - (c) NAD

The NAD C 389 pairs a high-powered stereo integrated amplifier with an internal DAC and phono stage, giving full digital and vinyl connectivity in a single unit.

Key specs that matter

Power output is 210 W into 8 ohms and 300 W into 4 ohms. Signal-to-noise is better than 106 dB, and distortion stays under 0.02%. Besides phono, the C 389 offers a pair of single-ended line inputs with 201 mV sensitivity and 56,000 ohm input impedance. The pre-out has an output impedance equal to the source impedance plus 320 ohms.

Engineering and use context

The C 389 measures 435 x 100 x 390 mm and weighs 8.7 kg.

Pairing

Its phono stage makes a separate phono preamplifier unnecessary, and the amplifier's power reserve suits loudspeakers of widely varying sensitivity. For hum-free vinyl playback the turntable needs its own ground wire to the amplifier.

Alternatives

NAD's C 379 sits below the C 389 in the range with more modest output.

Specifications

Model name
C 389
Type
Integrated Amplifier with DAC and Phono
Analog inputs (balanced)
N/A
Analog inputs (single-ended)
2 + 1 (Phono)
Input sensitivity (mV)
201
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
56 000
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
320
D/A conversion
Yes
Phono MM/MC current-sensing input impedance (Ω)
N/A
Output power (8Ω) (W)
210
Output power (4Ω) (W)
300
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20 000
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
>106
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (%)
<0.02
Damping factor
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
435 x 100 x 390
Weight (kg)
8.7
Official link
https://nadelectronics.com/product/c-389-hybrid-digital-dac-amplifier/