Introducing the NAD C388

Expansive Power with Unprecedented Flexibility.

The C 388 ties together all the critical elements of a top performing music system; music sources past, present, and future, in addition to providing a nearly unrestricted reservoir of power that allows your speakers to reveal every nuance of musical detail. This advanced amplifier includes many cutting edge technological breakthroughs developed by NAD over decades of creating affordable ultra-high performance audio components.

Getting the Basics Right

It is surprising how many seemingly advanced products in the market today often miss many of the most basic requirements for satisfying performance. NAD starts by getting these things precisely right and advances from there. We 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. 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 other amplifiers or subwoofers extend the versatility of this well thought out amplifier.

Future-Proof Modular Design

This NAD exclusive feature 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 device to manage your music collection and connect to a growing list of high-quality streaming music services.

Connected and Smart

Connect instantly to the C 388 via Bluetooth® aptX® to allow you to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device with true CD-quality sound. Bluetooth can also be used to listen to other sources connected to the C 388 via wireless headphones such as NAD’s own HP70. There is also a control app that allows your mobile devices to control all functions of your C 388. Add the optional BluOS Module to provide 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.

Sophisticated Power

NAD has moved away from the old-fashioned power-hungry linear power supplies and Class AB output stages that waste nearly half of the energy consumed and produce heat rather than sound. Instead, we have 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.

The power supply is capable of 150 watts continuously and over 250 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.

The C 388 uses a customized version of the proven Hypex UcD output stage operating in a fully balanced bridge configuration. This allows for massive power with nearly immeasurable distortion and noise in the audible range. Every detail of this design has been carefully planned and perfectly executed to produce out every last drop of performance.

Product highlights:

Features:

• 150 watts x 2 channels into 8 or 4 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.009% THD
• 4-ohm stable for use with a wide range of speakers
• Class D Asymmetrical PowerDrive amplifier design
• 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter for high-performance playback of digitally connected sources such as a CD player
• built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from a compatible device or wireless headphone listening
  • supports the aptX® codec for wirelessly streaming CD-quality sound
• independent built-in high-output headphone amplifier
• 2 MDC (Modular Design Construction) slots for adding additional capabilities and features
• remote control
• compatible with leading third-party control systems like Control4, Crestron, RTI, and URC

Connections:

• 4 digital audio inputs (2 optical/2 coaxial)
• 3 stereo RCA audio inputs, including a phono input (for use with a moving magnet cartridge)
• stereo RCA preamp output for connecting a separate amplifier or powered subwoofer
• RS-232C port for use with external controllers
• IR in/out and 12-volt triggers
• full-size headphone jack
• 2 pairs of binding post speaker connectors for A and B speakers
• USB port for service only
• detachable power cord

Specifications:

• signal-to-noise ratio: 95 dB
• 17-1/8"W x 4-3/4"H x 16-5/8"D (6-3/8"H w/antenna)