NAD C 389 vs NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Detailed Comparison

NAD C 389 vs NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

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NAD C 389

Integrated Amplifier | 130 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

Integrated Amplifier | 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Check price atAmazon›

NAD C 389

Check price atAmazon›

NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

Check price atAmazon›

NAD C 389

See at AMAZON

NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

See at AMAZON

NAD C 389 vs NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers by NAD. NAD C 389 is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker whereas the C 388 BluOS-2i is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of NAD C 389 and NAD C 388 BluOS-2i first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	NAD C 389	NAD C 388 BluOS-2i
Power	130 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 130 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms	150 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 150 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier class	Class D	Class D
Built-in DAC	Yes	Yes
Phono input	Yes	Yes
Headphone output	1/4	1/4
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Weight	8.70kg / 19.1lbs	11.25kg / 24.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	3-15/16" x 17-1/8" x 15-7/16" 100 x 435 x 392 mm	4-3/4" x 17-1/8" x 16-5/8" 121.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm

What size room are the NAD C 389 and NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Amplifiers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these amplifiers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their max power parameters:

Listening Environment	NAD C 389	NAD C 388 BluOS-2i
Near-field	Poor	Are you nuts?
Small Room	Poor	Bad
Mid-size Room	Good	Poor
Large Room	Good	Good
Very Large Room	Average	Good

C 389 and C 388 BluOS-2i are members of NAD's Classic series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

NAD Classic Series History

Model	Watts RMS (8-ohms)	Minimum Impedance	Built-in DAC
NAD C316BEE V2	40 watts	4-ohms	No
NAD C 389	130 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 399	180 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 388	150 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 368	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 328	40 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 700	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 338	50 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 3050	100 watts	4-ohms	Yes

The sections below take each area in turn: power output, inputs and outputs, features and physical size.

**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose NAD C 389 over NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

MSRP Price(*)	1,499USD vs 2,049USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Total Analog Inputs	3 vs 2	More options for connecting Analog sources
USB Input	Yes vs	Connect Sources via USB
Base Surface Area	1705.0cm²/ 264.3inch² vs 1840.1cm²/ 285.2inch²	takes less space in your room
Height	100mm vs 121mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose NAD C 388 BluOS-2i over NAD C 389

Watts into 8-ohms	150 watts vs 130 watts	Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Watts into 4-ohms	150 watts vs 130 watts	Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.009% vs 0.02%	Less Harmonic Distortion
Apple AirPlay	Yes vs No	Compatible with Apple Devices with AirPlay
Apple AirPlay 2	Yes vs No	Compatible with Apple Devices with AirPlay 2
Roon	Ready vs No	Roon Compatibility
BluOS	Yes vs No	Compatible with BluOS Wireless Ecosystem

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the NAD C 389 and NAD C 388 BluOS-2i differs from each other.

NAD C 389 Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
Phono Input
2 Optical Digital Input
2 Coaxial Digital Input
USB Input:
- USB-A(Service Only)
HDMI eARC

NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
Phono Input
2 Optical Digital Input
2 Coaxial Digital Input
Ethernet Port

NAD C 389 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Outputs

Stereo RCA, Sub Preamp Outputs
1/4 Headphone Output
Subwoofer Output

Outputs

Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
1/4 Headphone Output

NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C 388 BluOS-2i?

Here are the items that come with the C 388 BluOS-2i:

Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
6-feet AC power cord
MDC BluOS 2i module (pre-installed)
2 Antennas
Remote control (SR 9)
2 AA batteries
USB/WiFi dongle
Antenna
41-inch USB extension cable
Quick Setup Guide
Mounting Instructions
Warranty Information