NAD C 399 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier

An Amplifier You Can Add To Later

The NAD C 399 gives you more than 180 watts per channel into 8 or 4 ohms, from NAD's HybridDigital design. Both channels are driven across the full band, not measured at a single frequency, which is the number that matters when the music gets busy.

Sources are covered before you add anything. There are two optical and two coaxial digital inputs, line-level analog, a moving-magnet phono stage for a turntable, HDMI eARC for the television, and Bluetooth with aptX HD for a phone. Two subwoofer outputs sit alongside them.

Two Empty Slots Are the Point

The back panel carries two MDC2 expansion slots. The MDC2 BluOS-D module drops into one and adds full BluOS streaming and room correction, so the amplifier gains a network front end years after you bought it rather than being replaced by one.

We sell the C 399 both ways: as the standard amplifier, and as the BluOS version with that module already fitted. The chassis, the power and the inputs are identical either way.

What the Power Rating Actually Means

Continuous output is more than 180 watts into 8 ohms and into 4 ohms alike, which tells you the supply does not fold when the impedance drops. Clipping power reaches 210 watts at 1kHz, and IHF dynamic power 217 watts into 8 ohms.

Quiet, Flat and Firmly in Control

Distortion stays under 0.02% from a quarter of a watt all the way to 180 watts. Signal-to-noise is better than 95dB A-weighted, and frequency response holds within 0.3dB across the audio band. Damping factor is better than 150.

The digital inputs handle up to 24-bit/192kHz, which covers every mainstream streaming tier and download. The chassis measures 435 by 120 by 390mm and weighs 11.2kg, so it wants a proper shelf rather than a cubby in a cabinet.

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

• You want one box to run the whole room — digital, analog, phono, television and Bluetooth all arrive here, so the rack stops growing.
• Your speakers are a difficult load — the same 180 watts into 4 ohms as into 8 means the amplifier does not run out of breath where other designs do.
• You still play records — the moving-magnet phono stage is built in, so the turntable connects without another box or another power lead.
• Your television is part of the system — HDMI eARC carries TV sound straight in and lets the TV remote control the volume.
• If you want streaming built in, pick the BluOS version — the standard C 399 has Bluetooth but no network streaming. Choose the BluOS variant above, or feed the standard model from one of our Music Streamers.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Speakers to the binding posts, television to HDMI eARC, disc player and console to the optical and coaxial inputs, turntable to the phono input with its ground lead. Add one or two subwoofers from the dedicated outputs if the room asks for them. Pair a phone over Bluetooth and you are done.

Everything else in the room plugs into this one box.

Pairs Well With

Building a system around the C 399? These are the natural companions:

• Floorstanding Speakers: There is power here for a full-size pair — see our Floorstanding Speakers.
• Turntable: The phono input is already waiting — see our Turntables.
• Subwoofer: Two outputs mean you can run a stereo pair — see our Subwoofers.
• Speaker Cables: The last link in the chain — see our Speaker Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does it deliver?

More than 180 watts per channel into 8 ohms and into 4 ohms, both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz at rated distortion.

What is the difference between the standard and BluOS versions?

The BluOS version ships with the MDC2 BluOS-D module fitted, which adds network streaming and room correction. Everything else is the same, and the module can be added later.

Can I connect a turntable?

Yes. There is a moving-magnet phono input with RIAA equalization built in, plus a ground post for the turntable's earth lead.

Will it work with my television?

Yes, over HDMI eARC. One cable carries the TV's sound to the amplifier and lets the television's remote handle volume.

What resolution do the digital inputs handle?

Up to 24-bit/192kHz on the optical and coaxial inputs.

Can I run two subwoofers?

Yes. There are two subwoofer outputs, so a stereo pair is straightforward.

See It in Action

Andrew Robinson puts the C 399 through a full review:

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Learn More

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