Интегральные усилители — NAD C 399

The NAD C 399 is a HybridDigital DAC amplifier that brought the nCore amplification of the Masters Series into the Classic line for the first time. It was also the first NAD amplifier built around the second generation of Modular Design Construction, known as MDC2. The suggested retail price was USD 1,999, GBP 1,799, EUR 1,999 and CAD 2,599, with availability announced for the 2021 holiday season.

Key specs that matter

Rated continuous output exceeds 180 W per channel into both 8 and 4 ohm across 20 Hz to 20 kHz with both channels driven, and instantaneous power reaches 250 W per channel. THD stays below 0.02 % from 250 mW up to full rated output. With a 500 mV input and a 1 W reference, noise sits more than 95 dB below signal, A-weighted. The damping factor exceeds 150 at 8 ohm between 20 Hz and 6.5 kHz, and frequency response holds within 0.3 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The chassis measures 435 x 120 x 390 mm and weighs 11.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

NAD describes the nCore output stage as offering wide bandwidth, flat frequency response, clean clipping behaviour with instant recovery and high current capability. Conversion is handled by a 32-bit/384 kHz ESS Sabre ES9028, the chip also used in the M10 and M33 from the Masters Series. Two MDC2 slots accept optional modules such as the BluOS-D card for streaming and multi-room playback. Digital connections comprise two optical inputs, two coaxial inputs and an HDMI eARC input for a television. Both pairs of analogue RCA inputs pass through low-noise buffers, and the moving-magnet phono stage applies RIAA equalisation with infrasonic filtering. Bluetooth runs in both directions with aptX HD at 24 bit, for streaming from phones and for sending audio out to wireless headphones.

Pairing

Two sets of speaker terminals allow A/B switching between pairs, while dual subwoofer outputs and preamp output jacks let the unit feed active bass units or a separate power amplifier. A dedicated headphone amplifier with low output impedance is built in. For custom installation there are an IR remote, 12 V trigger input and output, and an RS-232 port that works with Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC and Lutron systems.

Alternatives

The NAD C 389 is a lower-priced HybridDigital DAC amplifier from the same Classic series.