NAD C388 Hybrid digital DAC amplifier

Getting it Right

When it comes time to create a product, we never overlook the most crucial of requirements. Whether it be low noise circuits or precise volume control action, or even accurate channel balance and proper input and output impedance characteristics, we here at NAD do everything we can to get these things exactly right. We also include an MM Phono stage with precisely accurate RIAA equalization, high overload margins, extremely low noise, and an innovative circuit to suppress infrasonic noise that is present on all LPs ? all without affecting bass response. Our line inputs can accommodate all kinds of analogue source components by offering ideal input impedance characteristics with linear ultra-low-noise buffer amplifiers to prevent any sonic degradation caused by inappropriate loading of the source device. We include a separate headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage capability ? enough to drive even high impedance studio monitor headphones. Low impedance line outputs that can connect to subwoofers extend the versatility of this well thought out amplifier. These are all details you can hear.

Forward Thinking

Modular Design Construction (MDC), an exclusive feature of NAD products, allows you to customise your NAD amplifier with additional capabilities and features, now or in the future. The two available MDC slots can accommodate a variety of upgrade modules including 4K video capable HDMI switching, additional Digital Inputs, additional Analogue and Phono Inputs, and one of the most advanced Hi-Res Audio multi-room wireless systems available, the BluOS music management system developed by Bluesound. BluOS connects to your network and is controlled via smartphone, tablet or desktop to manage your music collection and connect you to a growing list of high-quality streaming music services.

Instant Connection

As previously revealed, you can connect instantly to the C 388 with Bluetooth®, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth enabled device. The high performance aptX codec is fully supported for true CD-quality sound. Bluetooth can also be used to listen to other sources connected to the C 388 via wireless headphones. There is also a control app that allows your smartphone or tablet to control all functions of your C 388. Adding the optional BluOS Module provides access to your local area network via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connection and adds Hi-Res Audio streaming. The BluOS Module also makes the C 388 a single-zone streamer in a complete multi-room wireless music system that is fully compatible with BluOS-enabled music systems and wireless speakers. These are available in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit every room and extend the performance of your primary music system to create a warm ambience of sound in your home.

Sophisticated Power

In the last few years, NAD has moved away from the old-fashioned linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste energy, and have instead developed even better performing circuits based on switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages. Once thought to be inferior to traditional topologies, NAD's advanced work in this area has created some of the best performing amplifiers regardless of basic design principle. These new designs are very linear over a wide bandwidth and provide consistent performance into all speaker loads, providing a dramatic advance over previous models.

Moreover, the power supply is capable of 400 watts continuously and over 1,000 watts instantaneously to allow for short-term musical transients. It can operate with any AC mains voltage from 100 to 240 volts and provides pure DC power to all the various stages of the C 388. This highly efficient supply also provides near perfect regulation of voltage across a wide range of conditions and provides a solid noise-free foundation for the amplifying stages.

Specifications C 388

Continuous output Power into 4 Ohms and 8 Ohms (Stereo) 150W (at rated THD, 20-20kHz, both channels

IHF Dynamic Power 2 Ohms 400W 4 Ohms 350W 8 Ohms 250W

THD 0.009%

IMD 0.009%

Signal/Noise Ratio <-94dB (IHF; A-weighted, 500mV input ref. 1W out in 8 ?)<-113dB (IHF; A-weighted, ref. 50W in 8 ?, max volume)

Damping Factor >200 (ref. 8 ?, 50Hz and 1kHtz)

Frequency Response 10Hz-65kHz

Channel Separation 1kHz 85dB 10kHz 70dB

Sample Rate 192kHz/24bit

Standby Power 0.5 WIdle

Power 30W

Inputs Digital: Coax x 2, Optical x 2Analogue: Line In x2, Moving Magnet Phono Preamp (0.3mV input sensitivity ref. 200mV preout)

Dimensions (W x H x D) 435 x 120 x 390 mm (17 1/8 x 4 3/4 x 15 3/8")

Net Weight 11.9 kg (26.2lb)

Available MDC Upgrade Modules

MDC BluOSAdds Wi-Fi/Ethernet NetworkConnectivity with decoding for all majordigital music formats, including Hi-ResAudio to 24/192, and support for locallibraries and streaming music services.BluOS is the operating system of a wirelessmulti-room ecosystem that includes speakersfrom Bluesound allowing Hi-Res Audio to bedistributed to every room in the home.

DD HDM-1Adds 3 HDMI In (Stereo PCM only, no Surr.Dolby/DTS decoding) and 1 HDMI Out forvideo pass through. Full 3D Video supportwith video resolution up to 1080p/60. Supports2 channel PCM audio with 24/192 resolution.

DD HDM-2Adds 3 HDMI Inputs and 1 Output forVideo Pass-Through. Supports 4KVideo resolutions. Supports 2 channelPCM audio with 24/192 resolution.(Delivery TBA)