NAD C 389 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier

The NAD C 389 HybridDigital DAC amplifier serves as the cornerstone of a high-performance audio system, delivering thrilling dynamics and exquisite detail from all your sources. With its HybridDigital UcD amplifier design and ESS Sabre DAC, it offers exceptional performance.

Power and Performance

The output stage, based on a customized version of NAD’s efficient HybridDigital UcD design, delivers 130W per channel continuously and up to 350W per channel of instantaneous power. The ESS Sabre 9028 DAC ensures astonishing clarity and near-holographic imaging.

Future Friendly

Featuring Modular Design Construction and MDC2 technology, the C 389 has two MDC2 expansion slots for staying current with new developments. The MDC2 BluOS-D module adds BluOS high-res streaming and Dirac Live room correction.

Everything’s Connected

The C 389 accommodates analogue and digital source components, including optical, coaxial, and HDMI eARC inputs. It features a precise MM phono section, dual subwoofer outputs, and a dedicated headphone amplifier. Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX HD is also included.

Truly Timeless

With five decades of innovation, the C 389 offers audiophile-class performance, flexible connectivity, and class-leading upgradability. NAD’s next-generation MDC2 future-proofing technology ensures long-term value and updates for exciting features.

Preliminary Features & Details

• Customized HybridDigital UcD amplifier in fully balanced bridged configuration
• Continuous Power: 130 Watts per channel into 8/4 ohms
• Instantaneous Power: 210 W into 8 ohms, 300 W into 4 ohms, 350 Watts per channel
• Dual MDC2 ports for expanded functionality
• Optional MDC2 BluOS-D module adds BluOS Hi-Res multi-room music streaming and Dirac Live room correction
• Jitter-free 32-bit/384kHz ESS Sabre 9028 DAC
• Ultra-low-noise MM phono stage with infrasonic filtering circuitry
• Two optical, two coaxial digital inputs
• HDMI-eARC input
• Two pairs of line-level analogue inputs with ultra-low-noise buffer amplifiers
• Two sets of speaker outputs
• Two-way Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth
• Dual subwoofer outputs
• Dedicated headphone amplifier
• CI-Friendly – IR remote, 12V Trigger in/out, IR in/out, RS-232 Serial port
• Seamless integrations with smart home control systems such as Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, Lutron, and Elan

Specifications

Line Input, Pre-Out (Analog Bypass On)

• THD (20Hz – 20kHz): < 0.002 % at 2 V out
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >106dB (IHF; A-weighted, ref. 500 mV out, unity gain)
• Channel Separation: >100dB (1 kHz); >90 dB (10 kHz)
• Input Impedance (R and C): 56 kohms + 100 pF
• Maximum Input Signal: >4.6 Vrms (ref. 0.1 % THD)
• Output Impedance: Source Z + 320 ohms
• Input Sensitivity: 65mV (ref. 500 mV out, Volume maximum)
• Frequency Response: ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Maximum Voltage Output - IHF load: >5 V (ref. 0.1 % THD)

Phono Input, Pre-Out (Analog Bypass On)

• THD (20Hz – 20kHz): < 0.01% at 2 V out
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >84dB (200 ohms source; A-weighted, ref. 500 mV out)
• Input Sensitivity: 46 kohms/100 pF
• Frequency Response: ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Maximum Input Signal at 1kHz: >80 mVrms (ref. 0.1 % THD)

Line Input, Headphone Out (Analog Bypass On)

• THD (20Hz – 20kHz): < 0.005% at 1V out
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >107 dB (32 ohms loads; A-WTD, ref. 1V out, unity gain)
• Frequency Response: ±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Channel Separation: >62 dB at 1kHz
• Output Impedance: 2.2 Ohms

Line In, Speaker Out (Analog Bypass On)

• Continuous Output Power into 8 ohms and 4 ohms: 2 x 130W
• THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz): <0.02% (250 mW to 130 W, 8 ohms and 4 ohms)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95 dB (A-weighted, 500 mV input, ref. 1 W out in 8 ohms)
• Clipping Power: 150W
• IHF Dynamic Power: 210W into 8 ohms, 300W into 4 ohms, 350W into 2 ohms
• Peak Output Current: >26A (in 1 ohm, 1ms)
• Damping Factor: >150 (ref. 8 ohms, 20Hz to 6.5kHz)
• Frequency Response: >±0.3 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Channel Separation: >90dB (1 kHz), >75dB (10 kHz)
• Input Sensitivity (for 130 W in 8 ohms): Line In: 201 mV, Digital In: 10.25% FS

General Specifications

• Supports Bit Rate/Sample Rate: Up to 32 bit/384 kHz
• Frequency Band: 2.402GHz- 2.480GHz
• Maximum Transmit Power (dBm): 7 dBm ± 2 dBm

Dimensions and Weight

• Gross Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 x 100 x 390mm (17.1 x 3.9 x 15.4“)
• Net Weight: 8.7kg (19.1lb)
• Shipping Weight: ~11kg (24.2lb)