NAD C 399 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier

[Todd74]

Need some quick help. I can get a brand new C399 with BluOS for $1899 shipped. Currently I’m using my Denon 6700 in preamp mode with a VTV Hypex 502. Would this be a worthwhile investment? Will I notice an improvement? It’s a nicely treated room by the way.
I already have enough components and whatnot in my mancave/HT as it is, so I really don’t want to go the route of separates.

 

[djeka]

Hi all. I am in market for c399 + mdc2 module for dirac. I have read all pages but could not find answer to the question and my question is can i use dirac with hdmi or toslink as input? My plan is to use hdmi with my tv and toslink with pc, can i use dirac with those inputs or is dirac only available for streaming apps?

 

[dobrynin]

Hi all. I am in market for c399 + mdc2 module for dirac. I have read all pages but could not find answer to the question and my question is can i use dirac with hdmi or toslink as input? My plan is to use hdmi with my tv and toslink with pc, can i use dirac with those inputs or is dirac only available for streaming apps?

Hi.
Dirac will work on any input. A bypass can be arranged at the line inputs (the signal will go past the Dirac).

 

[Michael K.]

I just got my C399 (my first NAD) with BluOS two days ago and really like the sound. The Amp sounds crisp and alive to my almost 60 year old ears

But I do think that its a little buggy. One example: when I hit track skip on the remote (SR 10) it always skips 2 tracks. This only happens when using BluOS. In Roon everything is fine.

Anybody else habe the same problem or can validate that its not only on my unit?

My reason for buying was wanting to simplify my system but have room for expansion down the road ;-)

Tested Dirac once and found the result for my ears a little flat. But will test it in the future. Now I'm just enjoying my new streaming Amp as is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pogo]

Tested Dirac once and found the result for my ears a little flat.

You can adjust the target curve to your taste without remeasuring:

 

[mneedes]

I'm liking my NAD C399, but I have only one nit-pick. When I use the Qobuz app and the provided IR remote control, every time I hit the forward (or back) button it moves forward (or back) TWO songs ! This is only with the Qobuz app. I mentioned this to their software support, and they agreed, but they are taking over a year to make this simple software fix. So, don't hold your breath if you find a minor issue.
(edited for grammar)

 

[Michael K.]

I had the same in the BluOS App and latter when using Roon. I even got a second MDC2 card for testing but nothing changed. Aber that I returned my C399.


But because I liked the sound so much I now have a C389 with BluOS-D and it still skips 2 songs on ocasion but far less then with the C399.

 

[mneedes]

I had the same in the BluOS App and latter when using Roon. I even got a second MDC2 card for testing but nothing changed. Aber that I returned my C399.


But because I liked the sound so much I now have a C389 with BluOS-D and it still skips 2 songs on ocasion but far less then with the C399.

Its good in a way that you returned it. This bug is such an irritating thing, a "quality of life issue".
Glad you like the C389 ! Strange that it is an intermittent issue on that amp ...

 

[Michael K.]

Really weird ... on the C399 it was almost impossible to only skip one track in either direction. On the C389 it happens way less. I'm the kind of guy that loads a 600+ song playlist , sits in his stereo triangle with closed eyes and only a Remote in my hand ;-) ... only need 4 buttons (track +/- and volume +/-) ;-)

 

[John_Claude]

Really weird ... on the C399 it was almost impossible to only skip one track in either direction. On the C389 it happens way less. I'm the kind of guy that loads a 600+ song playlist , sits in his stereo triangle with closed eyes and only a Remote in my hand ;-) ... only need 4 buttons (track +/- and volume +/-) ;-)

That’s bizarre. I’ve never had this issue with either Roon (local library or Qobuz) or the BluOS app. I’m connected via Ethernet from a Mac Mini running Roon Core to the MDC2 card.

 

[Michael K.]

Bizarre is the right word. My Roon Core is running on a Intel Nuc and everything is connected via Ethernet. Tried C399 + C389 und three different MDC2 cards ... had a C368 with MDC card here for testing and everthing worked fine.

 

[mneedes]

Bizarre is the right word. My Roon Core is running on a Intel Nuc and everything is connected via Ethernet. Tried C399 + C389 und three different MDC2 cards ... had a C368 with MDC card here for testing and everthing worked fine.

It doesn't do this (for me) with the BluOS app controls while streaming Qobuz, so the BluOS app appears fine. It does this when using the NAD front panel controls and remote control only (which I often prefer to use over the app controls). My usual use case is to choose a playlist using the BluOs app (using Qobuz streaming service) and then use the IR remote control or front panel from then on. Anyway, hope they fix this... I can't believe it is a difficult change. In addition, I have only seen the problem when using the Qobuz streaming service... while some other streaming services seem fine, I haven't tried very many, so I can't say that this issue is confined to Qobuz.
(edited for clarity)

 

[Michael K.]

As far as I tested it only happens using an infrared remote. Apps, in my case BluOs and Roon work fine. I too prefer using a IR remote

 

[John_Claude]

It doesn't do this (for me) with the BluOS app controls while streaming Qobuz, so the BluOS app appears fine. It does this when using the NAD front panel controls and remote control only (which I often prefer to use over the app controls). My usual use case is to choose a playlist using the BluOs app (using Qobuz streaming service) and then use the IR remote control or front panel from then on. Anyway, hope they fix this... I can't believe it is a difficult change. In addition, I have only seen the problem when using the Qobuz streaming service... while some other streaming services seem fine, I haven't tried very many, so I can't say that this issue is confined to Qobuz.
(edited for clarity)

That explains it. I don’t use the IR remote to control my selections. Only the Roon app.

 

[Alexx]

Hi everyone.

After a year I would like to get a Nad amplifier again after a long experience with a Rega Elicit MK5 class A/B amplifier.

The reason I need more functions (Subwoofer Output- Trigger+12 volts- HDMI).

I'm thinking about the new model 3050 or the 399 (on the market for many years now).

Do you think there are big differences between the two, besides greater power for the 399 model?

How timbre, dynamics, detail and musical openness are superimposable or does the 399 win in every respect?

I really like the 3050 for its aesthetics, but it's not just this factor to take into consideration...

What are the main aspects that make you choose one or the other model?

A thousand thanks.

 

[Doodski]

The reason I need more functions (Subwoofer Output- Trigger+12 volts- HDMI).

I'm thinking about the new model 3050 or the 399 (on the market for many years now).

Do you think there are big differences between the two, besides greater power for the 399 model?

How timbre, dynamics, detail and musical openness are superimposable or does the 399 win in every respect?

The 2 subs output of the 399 is a handy feature because 1 sub while nice is eclipsed by having 2 subs with one for the left speaker and one for the right speaker.
The power output is significantly more on the 399 and that will come in handy for difficult to drive speakers, more dynamic transients but if both amps are kept within the amp(s) operating parameters they will both sound pretty much the same.

 

[pogo]

UcD (3050) vs. nCore (399) --> The 399 sounds better.

 

[Alexx]

Great thanks.

So it's better to give up a bit of aesthetics and give priority to the sound...

I didn't know they had two different amplification systems.

Is the 399 a good product exactly? some retailers suggest the Cambridge Evo 150 but some reviews say that it has a very open tone (annoying on high frequencies).
Thank you in advance.

 

[pogo]

The Evo 150 uses also nCore but lacks Dirac Live option.

 

[Doodski]

Is the 399 a good product exactly? some retailers suggest the Cambridge Evo 150 but some reviews say that it has a very open tone (annoying on high frequencies).

Notice how reviewers never AB compare amps with a switchbox. It's because the amps sound mostly the same. ... and they use vague undecipherable language like, "Open tone." Don't worry about what some flaky reviewer said.