NAD C 399 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier

[pogo]

With a switchbox you can compensate the differences, especially with such low output impedance amplifiers

 

[Alexx]

Okay
Thanks so much for the suggestions.

In your experience, could the Cambridge Evo 150 be preferable/better than the Nad 399?

Excluding the fact that it doesn't have Dirac but only in terms of sound and dynamics.
See you soon.

 

[antho625]

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.

Hello Alexx,

I have the c399. It's a jack of all trades. I don't know much about the 3050. I really liked the c399. It's a small footprint and takes up little space. I plan on selling it because I upgraded to Nilai Monoblock's and the Eversol A8. If you decide on the c399, let me know. I have the Bluos- D module and Dirac license. It's a year and a half old with receipt.

Anthony

 

[Alexx]

Ok thank you very much I'll let you know if so.

But I live in Italy, it would definitely be problematic to ship

 

[antho625]

Ok thank you very much I'll let you know if so.

But I live in Italy, it would definitely be problematic to ship

No worries, good luck in your search.

Anthony

 

[ITguyAR]

One thing I can say for sure after having been an NAD/PSB manufacturers rep from 2001 to 2009. The main takeaway I have is this....they were/are a decent hardware company but sucked at the software side. There were constant firmware update issues to the point I had dealers dropping the line or using different AVR's; like Onkyo/Integra which I also rep'd.

 

[JohnW]

One thing I can say for sure after having been an NAD/PSB manufacturers rep from 2001 to 2009. The main takeaway I have is this....they were/are a decent hardware company but sucked at the software side. There were constant firmware update issues to the point I had dealers dropping the line or using different AVR's; like Onkyo/Integra which I also rep'd.

Considering NAD C378/389/399. Do you view that as still an issue? 2009 is a long time ago. Are current models stable & reliable?

 

[ITguyAR]

Considering NAD C378/389/399. Do you view that as still an issue? 2009 is a long time ago. Are current models stable & reliable?

Really hard to say. I'm trying to buy a 389 from the current rep firm for a deal but not heard back yet. I want to put faith in them but that was a tough 8 years while they were trying to figure out the issues.

 

[mneedes]

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 +/-) ;-)

Michael,
Good news, looks like the skip 2 tracks issue was fixed in a recent firmware update for my C399 (verified using Qobuz and remote control / front panel).
Regards,
M

 

[PacketofCrisps]

Is there a basic version of this amp without all the extra features, streaming etc?

 

[Witterings]

Is there a basic version of this amp without all the extra features, streaming etc?

Yes

 

[PacketofCrisps]

Yes

Which model, is it same amplification topology? Class D?

 

[Witterings]

Which model, is it same amplification topology? Class D?

OK ... sorry your initial question wasn't clear .... this amp comes without streaming etc. you can then purchase various modules for either streaming or hdmi input as you require, most retailers though tend to sell them "bundled" with the amp when you buy it new and at a cheaper cost than buying the amp and then buying the module at a later stage.

Not sure where you're based but in the UK the core model is on sale at Sevenoaks for £1399 as opposed to the usual £1799, with the BluOS streaming module included they're normally £2119 against a total cost of £2278 if buying the amp and module seperately.

 

[SeanTek]

Thanks for your reply ! The point is that i use a lot of audio software ( Wavelab, SoundForge) for editing audio who need a real soundcard. And i'm note sure but i don't think that you can do that, if you have only the streamer function.
And the MDC card which have theses functions (DSD and USB soundcard) is NOT compatible with the C399.

Is this confirmed or what are owners' experiences with trying the MDC USB DSD card with the C 399?

 

[mneedes]

Is this confirmed or what are owners' experiences with trying the MDC USB DSD card with the C 399?

My understanding is that only MDC2 cards work in the C399, and that the only MDC2 card that currently exists is the BluOS-D streaming module.

 

[El3ctric]

Is C 399 still a good option in 2024? It's approx three years into the lifecycle at this stage. 389 and 379 are more recent but these are UcD rather than Hypex nCore designs. Other than power ratings they are identical to 399 so not sure why NAD is taking years to roll out what are essentially almost identical amps. I find NAD's product lineup a bit odd at the moment. Masters line has Purifi Eigentakt designs and still some nCore (e.g. M10 V2). C 298 also has Purifi so it seems Purifi is not exclusively reserved for Masters. I am wondering whether there will be more Purifi product announcements soon-ish, in particular more trickle downs to either the M10 line or an updated C 399. I would be nice to have a fully integrated Purify option in the C line (and not just the C 298 power amp.

Outside the NAD ecosystem, Marantz 40n ticks a lot of boxes but has less power, more traditional A/B architecture, HEOS as opposed to BluOS, etc. So I am just torn really. Wait a bit longer, plunge into an alternative ecosystem, or just go with 399 and not over think it!?

 

[Darokkk]

I own c399 with Monitor Audio PL100mk2 and I can say that I didnt like the sound until I opened the amp and found that fast connectors (faston) connected on power input are a little bit lose, you can move them with the finger...which means that you need to listen at louder volumes to achive a deep soundstage and etc...

So what I did I soldered all of them and man....the bass is more tight highs stable and the soundstage very very good at lower volumes...I added dirac later and I dont think I need a better amp...also I have 2 subs REL t5x and you can blend them very easy...

I also tried to buy a better fuse (8Amp) but I didnt notice any difference so dont bother with that

Many products today have the same issue with this fast connector, also MA pl100mk2 that I have had the same issue on the drivers and REL too.... why are they using this crap is to avoid soldering in the production which is cheaper ofcourse

I hope I helped a little bit and yes I dont have any warranty anymore with this soldering, maybe there is a better option to do all this work but I dont care I enjoy the sound now

 

[SeanTek]

My understanding is that only MDC2 cards work in the C399, and that the only MDC2 card that currently exists is the BluOS-D streaming module.

I confirmed from a discussion with Bob, SR NAD Support Specialist:

I want USB Audio input, and/or HDMI 2.1 (not 2.0b!)
The C 389/C 399 do not support the MDC USB DSD or MDC-HDM-2 MDC modules as they are not MDC2 platform.

 

[Michael K.]

Michael,
Good news, looks like the skip 2 tracks issue was fixed in a recent firmware update for my C399 (verified using Qobuz and remote control / front panel).
Regards,
M

That would be great. It really pi××ed me off so I sold it again. Now I ordered a new one with MDC2 card and am eager to try it out this weekend. Thanks alot for the info.

 

[Michael K.]

The amp now works perfectly