NAD C 399 BluOS-D vs NAD C 388 Detailed Comparison

NAD C 399 BluOS-D vs NAD C 388

Amp to replace

Change

NAD C 399 BluOS-D

Integrated Amplifier | 180 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Check price atAmazon›

Change

NAD C 388

Integrated Amplifier | 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Check price atAmazon›

NAD C 399 BluOS-D

Check price atAmazon›

NAD C 388

Check price atAmazon›

NAD C 399 BluOS-D

See at AMAZON

NAD C 388

See at AMAZON

NAD C 399 BluOS-D vs NAD C 388 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers by NAD. NAD C 399 BluOS-D is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier speaker whereas the C 388 is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of NAD C 399 BluOS-D and NAD C 388 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	NAD C 399 BluOS-D	NAD C 388
Power	180 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 180 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	11.23kg / 24.7lbs	11.23kg / 24.7lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	4-13/16" x 17-1/8" x 16-7/16" 123.0mm x 435.0mm x 418.0mm	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 399 BluOS-D and NAD C 388 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 399 BluOS-D	NAD C 388
Near-field	Are you nuts?	Are you nuts?
Small Room	Bad	Bad
Mid-size Room	Poor	Poor
Large Room	Good	Good
Very Large Room	Good	Good

C 399 BluOS-D and C 388 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 399 BluOS-D over NAD C 388

Built-in Room Correction	Yes vs No	Adjusts audio output to compensate for acoustic anomalies in a listening space
Watts into 8-ohms	180 watts vs 150 watts	Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Watts into 4-ohms	180 watts vs 150 watts	Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
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
Base Surface Area	1818.3cm²/ 281.8inch² vs 1840.1cm²/ 285.2inch²	takes less space in your room

Reasons to choose NAD C 388 over NAD C 399 BluOS-D

MSRP Price(*)	1,499USD vs 2,599USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.009% vs 0.02%	Less Harmonic Distortion
Height	121mm vs 123mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

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 399 BluOS-D and NAD C 388 differs from each other.

NAD C 399 BluOS-D Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
Phono Input
2 Optical Digital Input
2 Coaxial Digital Input
USB Input:
- USB-A(Service Only)
- USB-A(Thumbdrive/External HD)
- USB-B(Service Only0
HDMI eARC
Ethernet Port

NAD C 388 Inputs

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

NAD C 399 BluOS-D 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 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C 399 BluOS-D?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of C 399 BluOS-D:

Integrated amplifier
6-feet AC power cord
Remote control (SR 9)
2 AA batteries
3 Antennas
Auto calibration microphone
USB microphone adapter
Quick Setup Guide
Internet Update Guidlines
Important Safety Instructions
Dirac Live Quickstart Guide
Warranty Card

What's in the Box of NAD C 388?

Here are the items that come with the C 388:

Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
6-feet AC power cord
Bluetooth antenna
Remote control (SR 9)
2 AA batteries
Quick Setup Guide
Warranty Information