NAD C 389 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier with BluOS

Editors' Choice Award 2024 – The Absolute Sound Magazine

The Cornerstone of a High-Performance Audio System Now and for Decades to Come

The NAD C 389 HybridDigital DAC amplifier can serve as the cornerstone of a high-performance audio system now and for decades to come. Employing NAD's proven HybridDigital UcD amplifier design and the same ESS Sabre DAC used in NAD's acclaimed M33 BluOS streaming amplifier, the C 389 will deliver thrilling dynamics and exquisite detail from all your sources.

With its full suite of digital and analog inputs, including an ultra-low-noise phono stage and HDMI eARC interface, the C 389 can accommodate all your source components. And it incorporates the latest generation of NAD's Modular Designs Construction future-proofing technology, making it easy to add exciting capabilities such as BluOS high-res music streaming and Dirac Live room correction with the optional MDC2 BluOS-D module.

That means you can order the C 389 with or without the BluOS Hi-Res multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live room correction module.

Trickle-Down Tech from Masters Series Amps

"The C 389 has a DAC section built around the same 32-bit/384kHz ESS Sabre DAC chip used in the brand’s up-market Masters Series amplifiers, the M10 V2 and M33," notes Jacob Green, audioholics.com, July 25, 2022. "The ESS Sabre ES9028 chip was chosen for its 'near-zero levels of clock jitter, exceptionally wide dynamic range, and ultra-low noise and distortion, delivering astonishing clarity and holographic imaging on all sources,' according to NAD."

Award-Winning Performance

The C 389 won an Editors' Choice Award 2024 from The Absolute Sound magazine. "This 'Swiss army knife' packs a streamer, DAC, mm phono preamp, control preamp, power amp, headphone amp, and Dirac room correction into a compact package at a very reasonable price. Just add speakers to this 'amplifier,' and you have all you need for a complete stereo system."

"Featuring a HybridDigital UcD amplifier design and an ESS Sabre DAC, the C 389 was designed to deliver thrilling dynamics and exquisite detail from all your favourite sources."

Power and Performance

For over 50 years, the NAD brand has been synonymous with performance and value, and the C 389 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier continues that tradition. Its output stage is based on a customized version of NAD's efficient HybridDigital UcD design, with multiple UcD amplifier modules in balanced bridged configuration and an innovative switch-mode power supply that provides ample reserves of current on demand.

The C 389 can deliver a staggering 130W per channel continuously, with virtually unmeasurable distortion and noise through the audio band, and up to 350W per channel of instantaneous power, for effortless reproduction of musical transients.

The digital section features the same 32-bit/384kHz ESS Technology Sabre DAC chip used in NAD's award-winning Masters M33 amplifier. Renowned for its exceptionally wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise and distortion, and near-zero levels of clock jitter, the ESS Sabre 9028 DAC enables the C 389 to deliver astonishing clarity and near-holographic imaging on all sources.

Future Friendly

In 2006, NAD introduced Modular Design Construction technology, which lets users add new features by inserting an expansion module into an MDC-capable component. In 2021, NAD introduced MDC2, a next-generation future-proofing platform that enables two-way communications between the expansion module and host component.

The C 389 has two MDC2 expansion slots, so that it can stay current with new developments in A/V technology. NAD's first MDC2 module is the MDC2 BluOS-D (optional), which features BluOS high-res multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction.

BluOS Technology

The optional MDC2 BluOS-D module connects to your home network via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet. Using the BluOS Controller app on a smart device or personal computer, you can play music from your favourite streaming services and personal music library through the C 389. BluOS has integrated support for more than 20 services, including several that offer lossless and high-res audio, such as Amazon Music HD, Deezer, Idagio, Qobuz, and Tidal.

Like all BluOS-enabled components, the MDC2 BluOS-D has MQA decoding and rendering capability for high-res streaming from Tidal. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, as well as Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant voice control. With the MDC2 BluOS-D installed, the C 389 can be part of a whole-home music system with as many as 64 zones.

Dirac Live Room Correction

By counteracting common acoustic problems like standing waves and room reflections, Dirac Live room correction transforms your listening experience. Connect the supplied microphone to the USB port on the optional MDC BluOS-D and then run the free Dirac Live app on a smart device or personal computer. Dirac Live will play test tones through your speakers, analyze the results, then transfer compensation filters to the MDC BluOS-D. You'll enjoy deeper, more textured bass, more precise imaging, greater midrange clarity, and more accurate tonal balance.

Thanks to MDC2's two-way architecture, the optional MDC2 BluOS-D delivers these benefits on all sources connected to the C 389.

Everything's Connected – Including Your Turntable

The C 389 can accommodate all your analog and digital source components. Connectivity options include two optical and two coaxial digital inputs and two sets of RCA line-level analog inputs. The analog inputs have ultra-low-noise buffer amplifiers for greater sonic purity.

For vinyl enthusiasts, the C 389 features a precise MM phono section with accurate RIAA equalization, high overload margins, and extremely low noise. The phono section incorporates an innovative circuit that suppresses the infrasonic noise that is always present during vinyl playback, without affecting bass performance.

For Movies and Television

For movies and television, the C 389 has an HDMI eARC input so that you can play TV audio from through your high-fidelity speakers while controlling volume with the TV's remote. Dual subwoofer outputs enable the C 389 to serve as the hub of a 2.1- or 2.2-channel system for music and movies. With the MDC2 BluOS-D installed, you can set crossover frequency with the BluOS app for a seamless blend between the subwoofers and main speakers.

For Private Listening

For private listening, the C 389 has a dedicated headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high voltage output capability, making it a good match even for demanding studio headphones.

Bluetooth aptX

The C 389 also features two-way wireless Bluetooth, with support for Qualcomm's aptX-HD codec, for 24-bit streaming from your smartphone or tablet, and wireless playback through Bluetooth headphones and speakers.

Truly Timeless

Building on five decades of innovation in amplifier design, NAD's C 389 HybridDigital DAC amplifier offers audiophile-class performance, flexible connectivity, class-leading upgradability, and long-term value. Thanks to its precise volume control, ultra-low-noise circuitry, and cutting-edge amplifier design, the C 389 can deliver wonderfully refined sound at lifelike listening levels through virtually any loudspeaker.

NAD's next-generation MDC2 future-proofing technology means you can update your C 389 with exciting features like multi-room music streaming and automatic room correction. With the C 389 HybridDigital DAC-Amplifier, the NAD legend continues.

BluOS Adds Pandora and Presto Music Services

Here's big news if you are using the optional MDC2 BluOS-D module with your C 389. Bluesound is excited to announce the integration of the popular Pandora and Presto Music services into the BluOS platform, augmenting the already impressive array of streaming services available.

Pandora offers exceptional music discovery features and curated radio stations. Its integration offers BluOS music lovers access to another seamless and intuitive way to enjoy their favorite tracks and discover new music based on listeners' tastes.

Presto Music specializes in classical and jazz recordings with high-quality content. In select markets, users can now savor Presto Music's vast collection of classical and jazz recordings. With a library boasting 200,000 albums in CD-quality and 34,000 albums in stunning 24-bit/192kHz, subscribers will revel in a focused, extensive, and continuously expanding catalog. The service is tailored with a powerful search engine designed explicitly for classical and jazz music, offering rich composers, artists, and genre profiles, recommendations, and featured releases.

To access these new services, simply update to the latest firmware and download the BluOS Controller App (version 4.2.0) from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or bluos.io/downloads.