- With the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier, NAD Electronics is presenting a particularly versatile stereo integrated amplifier at an attractive price point at the High-End 2024.
Once again, the latest amplifier from NAD Electronics, the NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier, is all about flexibility. The Canadian HiFi manufacturer is continuing its proven concept of modular design, which has been a recipe for success in recent years, especially in the amplifier segment.
It goes without saying that the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier also presents itself with sufficient power, an appealing sound quality and the timelessly elegant design of the NAD Classic Series. The fact that the Canadians will be offering all this at a moderate price is also a matter of course.
Everything you would expect from a NAD Classic Series amplifier
The manufacturer describes the new stereo integrated amplifier as offering everything you would expect from a NAD Classic Series product. It thus embodies the entire experience of over 50 years and continues the tradition that has been the basis for product development in this product range from the very beginning, namely innovation, yet simplicity in handling, and also value stability.
HybridDigital UcD Amplifier
As the name of the new amplifier suggests, the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier is an amplifier with a so-called HybridDigital UcD output stage. This means that it is designed to deliver a particularly efficient and adequate level of power to keep a wide variety of speaker systems under control at all times.
Two 80 watt RMS outputs are available for speaker systems with an impedance of 8 or 4 ohms, as well as up to two 120 watt dynamic outputs for speakers with an impedance of 4 ohms.
It is interesting to note that the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier can also be operated in so-called bridge mode, in which case it provides a solid 300 watts, as the data sheet reveals.
Four pairs of screw terminals are provided on the rear of the NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier for connecting loudspeaker systems, allowing an A/B configuration if desired.
Converter from ESS Technology Inc.
As befits a flexible, modern amplifier system, the developers of the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier have paid particular attention to digital signals. The centrepiece of the signal processing is therefore a converter from ESS Technology Inc, an ESS ES9028 Sabre Pro 32-bit 384 kHz DAC.
Countless interfaces – from phono preamplifier to HDMI and Bluetooth
Even in its basic configuration, the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier impresses with a wide range of analogue and digital interfaces.
There are two pairs of RCA sockets as Line In, another pair of RCA sockets as a phono preamp for drives equipped with MM cartridge systems, a pair of RCA sockets as Pre Out and another pair of RCA sockets for connecting subwoofers.
Two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF interfaces are available for digital signals, as well as an HDMI port, which can be used as an eARC for integrating a TV set and therefore also supports HDMI CEC for centralised control.
It should not go unmentioned that the NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier also has an integrated headphone amplifier and that mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets can be easily integrated via Bluetooth, whereby not only the SBC and AAC codecs are supported, but also aptX and even aptX HD.
The 12 V trigger inputs and outputs as well as an RS232 interface should not go unmentioned, so that the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier can be easily integrated into a wide variety of control systems.
Equipped for the future – NAD MDC 2 ports
The new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier offers two expansion slots on its rear panel, namely for the so-called NAD MDC 2 modules. MDC stands for Modular Design Construction Technology and is already available here in the second generation. In this way, corresponding solutions can be upgraded and retrofitted with a wide variety of function modules.
Streaming via BluOS
The most flexible MDC module is of course the one that equips the amplifier for streaming, based on BluOS. With the NAD MDC2 BluOS-D module, Dirac Live, BluOS, Apple AirPlay 2, two-way Bluetooth aptX HD and more can be added to the NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier.
With BluOS, the NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier can access its own content on the network – WiFi or Ethernet – as well as a wide variety of services on the web, and can also be operated in a multi-room audio streaming network with other BluOS-compatible systems. All of this is controlled via the BluOS app, which is available for Apple iOS and Google Android for smartphones and tablets, as well as for Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS for the desktop. The BluOS app manages your own media library just as conveniently as it connects to over 20 high-quality music streaming services, including TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Spotify and many, many more.
In addition, BluOS is the interface to the media management and multi-room Hi-res audio streaming software from Roon Labs LLC, so the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier should also be Roon-ready.
“The NAD C 379 is in a class of its own as it integrates every essential component of a music system and supports all music sources from vinyl to digital streaming. With its low-noise circuitry and ability to enhance both its features and performance, this Class D integrated amplifier is a testament to the legacy of NAD’s Classic Series and our relentless pursuit of sonic excellence at an affordable price.”
Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager, NAD Electronics
Prices and availability
The new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier will celebrate its premiere in Munich at the High-end 2024, as NAD Electronics states. The Canadians have a recommended retail price of € 1.199,- for this new stereo integrated amplifier.
Getting to the point
With the new NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier, a particularly flexible new stereo integrated amplifier from the NAD Classic Series is celebrating its premiere at the High-end 2024 in Munich. NAD Electronics is thus relying on all the virtues that have been appreciated in this product range for years, such as versatility through innovative features, a timelessly elegant design, an appealing performance and, last but not least, an attractive price.
| PRODUCT | NAD C 379 HYBRIDDIGITAL DAC AMPLIFIER |
|---|---|
| Price | NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier € 1.199,- NAD MDC2 BluOS-D Module € 599,- |
| Brand | NAD |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | NAD Electronics International |
| Distribution Austria | smart audio GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Dali GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
