The C 399 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by NAD that delivers 180 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 180 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in September 2021. It is a 2-channel design using a Class D output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (ESS Sabre ES9028), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The NAD C 399 has an MSRP of $1,999.
There are 10 NAD amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
NAD Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The NAD C 399 is rated at 180 watts RMS into 8-ohms. NAD provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.02% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 180 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.02%
- 180 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 95dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 180 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the NAD C 399?
180 W into 8 ohms, 180 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
NAD C 399 is rated at 180 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 121 to 180 watts band. The next band up is Over 180 watts, which is worth about 2.3dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the 91 to 120 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the NAD C 399 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the NAD C 399 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the NAD C 399 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Are you nuts? |
| Small Room | Bad |
| Mid-size Room | Poor |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Good |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the NAD C 399, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
NAD C 399 has total of 2 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
NAD C 399 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- HDMI Input (eARC)
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- Stereo RCA, Sub Preamp Outputs
- 1/4 Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (2)
Bluetooth Connectivity
NAD C 399 features built-in Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
NAD C 399 supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Bluetooth Transmitter:NAD C 399 can also act as a Bluetooth transmitter, making it possible to stream the music from the amp to your bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Phono Input
NAD C 399 features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
Subwoofer Output
NAD C 399 has a dedicated subwoofer output which can be used to connect it directly to a powered subwoofer via an LFE(Low Frequency Effects) cable.
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with NAD C 399 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The NAD C 399's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the C 399 is the
ESS Sabre ES9028, and supports resolutions up to
32-bit, 384KHZ.
NAD C 399 External Dimensions and Weight
NAD C 399 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 4-13/16inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-7/16inch (123.0mm x 435.0mm x 418.0mm ). The unit weighs
11.23 kg (24.7 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the NAD C 399 is approximately 1818.3cm2 / 281.8inch2.
- Width: 435.0mm (17-1/8")
- Height: 123.0mm (4-13/16")
- Depth: 418.0mm (16-7/16")
- Weight: 11.23 kg (24.7 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1818.3cm2 / 281.8inch2
- Volume: ~22.4 liter / 5.9 gallon
Available colors
NAD C 399 is available in Black color options.
What's in the Box of NAD C 399?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of C 399:
- Integrated amplifier
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (SR 9)
- 2 AA batteries
- Antenna
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Card
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the NAD C 399 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for NAD C 399
Warranty
2 Years of parts warranty and 2 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the NAD C 399 by the manufacturer.
NAD C 399 Lifestyle
| General |
| Brand |
NAD |
| Full Model Name |
NAD C 399 |
| Release Date |
September 2021 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class D |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
180 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
180 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.02% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
95 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
ESS Sabre ES9028 |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
2 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| USB Type |
USB-A(Service Only) |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA, Sub |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
123.0mm (4-13/16") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17-1/8") |
| Depth |
418.0mm (16-7/16") |
| Weight |
11.23 kg (24.7 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |