NAD C 389 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier With its full suite of digital and analogue inputs, including an ultra-low-noise phono stage and HDMI eARC...
| Brand | NAD |
| Type | Amplifiers |
| Tags | Amplifier, Bluetooth, DAC |
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With its full suite of digital and analogue 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.
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 the 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 analogue 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.
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 customised 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 audioband, 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
The C 389 has two MDC2 expansion slots, so that it can stay current with new developments in AV technology. NAD's first MDC2 module is the MDC2 BluOS-D, which features BluOS high-res multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction.
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.
Everything's Connected
The C 389 can accommodate all your analogue and digital source components. Connectivity options include two optical and two coaxial digital inputs and two sets of RCA line-level analogue inputs. The analogue 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 equalisation, 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, 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 optional MDC2 BluOS-D module installed, you can set crossover frequency with the BluOS app, for a seamless blend between the subwoofers and main speakers.
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. 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. Thanks to NAD's next-generation MDC2 future-proofing technology, you can update your C 389 with exciting features like multi-room music streaming and automatic room correction.
Although CDs are often dismissed as relics of the past, we here at NAD recognize the pride and joy one feels when combing through their personal CD collection. Whether it’s peeling away the plastic or marvelling at the album artwork, the process of buying and opening a CD is both intimate and sacred. With our C 568 CD Player, your CDs finally get the attention they deserve. Whether it’s a newly bought CD or a personal mix you made for yourself, the C 568 will seamlessly play the disc without any skips or glitches. Building on the success of the C 565BEE, the C 568 includes all the features you need for an easy and joyous CD-listening experience. Complete with the new NAD CD-8 remote control, the C 568 delivers a high level performance worthy of your music library.
Modern and Refined
The C 568 takes the superb performance of our 5-star rated C 565BEE and steps it up to the next level. Every aspect of sonic performance is enhanced and refined, making the C 568 the ideal companion to our C 368 amplifier, or any system in need of a performance upgrade.
Besides the new, more refined cosmetics, the circuit layout and component choices of the C 568 have been extensively updated since the C 565BEE’s reign. The cumulative effect of these changes is dramatic, improving low frequency slam and extension, while maintaining the pace and timing for which the C 565BEE was so lavishly praised. Image depth and scale are further enhanced while retaining the timbral accuracy and lucid harmonic structure of its predecessor.
Features and Circuitry
Creating one’s own favourite compilation CD-R and CD-RW’s on a CD ripper is becoming ever more popular, and unlike older CD players, the C 568 will easily play these discs, even those encoded with MP3 and WMA compression. Nearly 10 hours of music can be recorded onto one CD-R when using 128kps compression allowing ‘all day’ background music listening. We have also included a number of additional features to make your listening more enjoyable: RANDOM gives the listener a random selection of all tracks on the disc in play, and REPEAT allows repeat playing of either the entire disc or individual tracks. Individual tracks can also be quickly accessed using the SKIP function (Forward and Back), while the SCAN function (Forward and Back) gives listeners the opportunity to reach specific sections of the track.
Moreover, the Vacuum Fluorescent Display provides clear and comprehensive information to the listener. The track number is displayed, and for those who regularly record CDs, the button displays the current time elapsed or remaining for complete CDs or individual tracks.
It’s All About the Detail
In the case of the NAD C 568, careful attention has been paid so that best use of the ever-increasing number of products now available with digital inputs (outboard D to A converters, AV Receivers, etc) can be made. The coaxial output is buffered and isolated by a transformer from the converter itself, and the output impedance has been carefully tailored to produce a precise 75 ohms impedance to ensure perfect matching. This attention to detail reduces the timing errors (jitter) that could otherwise distort the digital data stream. An optical Toslink output is also provided allowing connection to devices that only provide this option.
Supplied with the new NAD CD-8 full function remote control, the C 568 offers all the features described above from the comfort of your listening chair. On top of that, the remote control handset gives you direct track access and programming facilities as well, saving the user’s time when they’re storing preferred song titles. Up to 20 tracks can be programmed, with the ability to delete tracks without using the program function by simply using the DELETE key.
The 24-bit high resolution Wolfson WM8741 DAC chip of the C 568 was chosen for its excellent low-level linearity and detail retrieving capabilities. Furthermore, a high precision Crystek Clock Module reduces digital jitter to unprecedented levels, making the C 568 a great platform for adding an exotic high-end DAC. Metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors are also used in key areas to ensure a highly accurate frequency response.
Delivering a rewarding and outstanding performance, the C 568 has set a new benchmark in the world of CD players.
