NAD C 389 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier with BluOS

Streaming Fitted, One Slot Still Open

This is the C 389 with NAD's MDC2 BluOS-D module installed at the factory. Hi-res streaming, multi-room, and Dirac Live room correction work from the first evening, and one MDC2 slot stays free for a later upgrade.

The amplifier is unchanged: 130 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 4 ohms on NAD's HybridDigital UcD platform, with IHF dynamic power of 210 watts. Clipping power is rated at 150 watts. Bluetooth with aptX HD is there for quick streams from a phone.

Every Service You Use, Through One App

BluOS reaches more than twenty streaming services along with internet radio and networked libraries. Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready are supported, and BluOS groups up to sixty-four zones across a house.

Wired sources are covered as well. Two optical and two coaxial digital inputs, two analog line inputs with low-noise buffers, HDMI eARC for a television, and a moving-magnet phono stage with infrasonic filtering.

Where the Numbers Stay Quiet

An ESS Sabre DAC handles conversion at up to 32-bit/384kHz. Distortion holds below 0.02% from a quarter watt to the full 130 watts, into 8 ohms and 4 ohms alike, so the rating is honest across its range rather than at one point.

Signal-to-noise measures better than 85dB A-weighted. Channel separation exceeds 90dB at 1kHz, damping factor is better than 150, and frequency response holds inside 0.3dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. Those are quiet numbers for a Class D design.

Set the Crossover, Then Let Dirac Finish the Job

Two subwoofer outputs carry a crossover you choose between 40Hz and 200Hz. That is proper bass management rather than a single fixed point, and it is unusual on an integrated amplifier at this level.

Dirac Live then measures what the room does to the result and corrects for it. Between the two, the bottom octave stops being a matter of guesswork and furniture moving.

Who Is This Streaming Amplifier Best For?

• You want streaming working out of the box — the MDC2 BluOS-D module is fitted at the factory.
• You run subwoofers seriously — two outputs, a 40Hz to 200Hz crossover, and Dirac Live on top.
• Your room fights you — Dirac Live room correction comes with the module.
• You play vinyl — the moving-magnet stage measures below 0.01% distortion with infrasonic filtering.
• You want the whole system in one box — streaming, room correction, phono, HDMI eARC and a real headphone amp are all fitted. Add a pair from our subwoofers and Dirac will blend them to the room.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Speakers go to the binding posts, a turntable to the phono input, and the television to HDMI eARC. Two optical, two coaxial, and two analog inputs take everything else.

Ethernet or Wi-Fi joins the network for BluOS. Run one subwoofer or two from the dual outputs, set the crossover to suit your speakers, and use the dedicated amplifier for headphones.

Then you run Dirac once and leave the furniture where it is.

Pairs Well With

Building around the C 389 with BluOS? Here are some good companions:

• Speakers: 130 watts per channel drives a serious pair — see our Floorstanding Speakers.
• Subwoofers: Dual outputs, an adjustable crossover, and Dirac reward a pair — see our Subwoofers.
• Turntable: Put that measured phono stage to work — see our Turntables.
• Headphones: The dedicated headphone amp deserves a good pair — see our Headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BluOS module already installed?

Yes. This version ships with the MDC2 BluOS-D module fitted from the factory, and one MDC2 slot remains free.

How much power does the NAD C 389 deliver?

130 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 4 ohms, with IHF dynamic power of 210 watts into 8 ohms.

Can I set the subwoofer crossover point?

Yes. There are two subwoofer outputs and the crossover is selectable anywhere from 40Hz to 200Hz.

Is Dirac Live included?

Yes. Dirac Live room correction comes with the BluOS module for correcting your room.

Which streaming services does BluOS support?

More than twenty, including Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready, plus internet radio and networked libraries.

What warranty does it carry?

NAD covers the C 389 with a 2-year parts and labor warranty.

See It in Action

The Absolute Sound reviews the C 389 and asks whether it is the best all-in-one amplifier:

Mad Audio reviews the MDC2 BluOS-D module itself, the part fitted inside this version:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about bass management, room correction, or multi-room streaming? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.