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NAD C.399 Integrated Amp with Blu-OS(D)

RobertH3RobertH3
in Reviews

I bought this a couple of months before I logged into MAC/DIY and have some thoughts. Sadly, the price has gone up over 700.00 from when I purchased. I was originally targeting the NAD C 3050 BluOS-D as it was 1K cheaper than the C.399. It went on backorder forever. It's price has also risen 700.00 (probably Tariff-related). Looks lovely, just like my old Fisher in my room when I was a high-schooler!

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_745C399BLD/NAD-C-399-BluOS-D.html

I looked at a lot of reviews of NAD products. One of the biggest grumps was that "their equipment lines all sound the same." In other words, if you listen to a C.399 vs one of their $5K "Master Class" amps, the sound is the same. With the more expensive amp, you get more power, a more sturdy chassis, and more features but the same SQ. That is a silly complaint. That's called VALUE! If you have adequate power and features, no upgrades required or desired. All of the reviews including Stereophile and TAS are top-level.

This Integrated amp is one of the first rack products I've heard that actually, significantly sounds better than another one. It utterly kicks my Denon AVR's butt in detail, and more importantly, in coloration. My Denon AVR has a very warm sound (even in Pure Direct) that will grab your attention when you first listen to it. To be fair, in constant year dollars, it cost 2x what the Denon did.
It is the best and most uncolored solid state amp I have ever owned. And it's Digital (shock). I expected to not like it and return it because of the Digital amp - not so. You can't tell.

Add Blu-OS(D) with a high-res account from Tidal or Qobuz. I have the amp connected hardline to my router and the SQ is just great. And, the back of the amp has card slots for expansion/upgrades. Geez - I am using my old Cambridge Azur 840c as a transport via SP/DIF but it doesn't get much use anymore with full-res Tidal. Occasional comparison or old recording not available.
Blu-OS can occasionally be cranky on the Tablet I use to operate the Amp. Software, go figure.

My only complaint with this amplifier is Speaker Selection. Since we all listen to multiple speaks, an A/B/A+B switch is expected. Apparently, NAD thought that someone would buy this integrated amp with Blu-OS, an awesome DAC, and a pre-amp and bridge it, so the speaker outputs are A and A+B only. Oops. I've never seen anyone bridge an integrated amp - just dedicated amps. Feedback delivered.

**5 stars on SQ vs cost.
3 stars on features due to the Speaker A and A+B only.
4 stars on the Blu-OS(D) software. It would be 5 if it behaved 100% of the time.
**

If you are a looking, you should audition one. Wendy's (SO) comment was the best: "that requires no adjustment." She never comments on gear.

Cheers / Robert

Comments

  • D1PP1ND1PP1N

    This Speaker selector/amp selector switch is nice. It has a remote control so you don't need to move. You can A/B a 2 AMPs and A/B two sets of speakers for $135.

  • RobertH3RobertH3

    I may look at that - please post a link, thank you!
    Cheers / Robert

  • D1PP1ND1PP1N
    edited July 13

    Weird, it didn't attach my link. Here it is https://a.co/d/hw25R5J

  • rjj45rjj45

    @D1PP1N said:
    This Speaker selector/amp selector switch is nice. It has a remote control so you don't need to move. You can A/B a 2 AMPs and A/B two sets of speakers for $135.

    Can that box actually handle 2 amps and 2 sets of speakers?
    I've been wanting a solution to easily A/B 2 amps.

    But Chahly - Stahkist don't want speakers that look good, Stahkist wants speakers that sound good!
  • D1PP1ND1PP1N

    Yes, its basically two 5-volt relays and 8 pairs of binding posts. It's Usb powered with VU meters (you basically have to adjust the sensitivity on the knob so its not accurate) and has adjustable led light levels too from the remote (also can be turned off). Its nice to be able to seemlessly switch speakers. The only downside is it's not SPL balanced. so if the sensitivity changes between the sets of speakers it won't level match.

  • KornbreadKornbread

    I've had an old nad2100 for 20 plus years. There's a reason it's been around for that long.

  • rjj45rjj45

    Thanks @D1PP1N
    In retrospect, not a especially intelligent question.
    I have ordered one to A/B some amplifiers and receivers I have on the shelf.

    But Chahly - Stahkist don't want speakers that look good, Stahkist wants speakers that sound good!
  • ugly_wooferugly_woofer

    NAD used to make matching power amps. I'm not sure if they still do, but you were able to bridge both using each for one channel and quadruple your power

    rjj45
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