C 390DD Paves Way for Digital Revolution - 4Audio
C 390DD Paves Way for Digital Revolution - 4Audio
C 390DD Paves Way for Digital Revolution - 4Audio
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C <strong>390DD</strong> <strong>Paves</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Digital</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong> - NAD Electronics<br />
home | articles | C <strong>390DD</strong> <strong>Paves</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Digital</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong><br />
C <strong>390DD</strong> <strong>Paves</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Digital</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong><br />
December 20, 2011<br />
Audiovideo2day: NAD C <strong>390DD</strong><br />
Review<br />
By Janne Van Rompaey<br />
Audiovideo2day experienced the<br />
introduction of the Class D amp. It<br />
all started with Ice Power<br />
modules, developed by<br />
Bang&Olufsen. That caused a<br />
revolution. Not exactly on the<br />
consumer market, but rather the internal one. An amplifier, as big as a fat computer chip, that can deliver the<br />
power of a rough 500 Watts. Wow! Later on, names such as Tact Audio, NuForce, Lyngdorf Audio and other<br />
appeared... In the latter stages of development, the point was more to give the immense, rough amplifying<br />
power finesse, emotion and musicality. More and more manufacturers succeeded. This is the way to go,<br />
clearly. Compact, a huge amount of power and close to no heat development. Class D amplifiers led the<br />
market to proper, digital amps.<br />
Not so long ago, NAD presented such an amplifier in the Master Series: the M2. With a moderate retail price<br />
of roughly €6.000, this amplifier produces a lot more music than its price suggests. That is why, when you<br />
read our review of the M2, you deal with a Buying Tip. You can surely understand why we were eager when<br />
Cas Oostvogel (Managing Director AND Benelux) asked us to be the first to review the newest digital<br />
amplifier, a direct successor of the M2. "Bring us that NAD C<strong>390DD</strong>" was yelled throughout the office!<br />
Small M2 with Options<br />
Compared to the innovating M2, the NAD C<strong>390DD</strong> Direct <strong>Digital</strong> Powered DAC Amplifier is not in a Master<br />
Series housing, but rather in the well-known, decent housing of the per<strong>for</strong>mance hifi- and home cinema<br />
productline of NAD. The housing of the Master Series offers more firmness and deals with interferences<br />
more ferociously (negative influences from outside, such as, e.g. from electromagnetic fields). With a price<br />
setting of less than half an M2 (an NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> has a suggested retail price of €2.500), the manufacturer<br />
can obviously not deliver a direct copy of the M2. For instance, an M2 has 2 poweramps per channel in a<br />
BTL (bridge tied load) <strong>for</strong>maton, to reach the high amount of power. An NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> creates music with a<br />
single poweramp per channel. That's why the M2 gives that bit of extra power: 2 x 250 Watt vs. 2 x 150 Watt.<br />
Yet the NAD still manages to keep some genetic in<strong>for</strong>mation in the C <strong>390DD</strong>. And then some... In certain<br />
areas, the brand new C <strong>390DD</strong> is even more revolutionary than the mighty M2. I'll call it a small M2 with<br />
options.<br />
Like 17<br />
http://nadelectronics.com/articles/C-<strong>390DD</strong>-<strong>Paves</strong>-<strong>Way</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>Digital</strong>-<strong>Revolution</strong><br />
Page 1 of 4<br />
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19.9.2012
C <strong>390DD</strong> <strong>Paves</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Digital</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong> - NAD Electronics<br />
Plug and Play<br />
Which options? Players with discs (e.g. cd's) are part of the past, thanks to the C <strong>390DD</strong>. And why not? The<br />
present day consumer resolutely chooses <strong>for</strong> current technology and ultimate user com<strong>for</strong>t. That same<br />
present day consumer looks at the NAD C390 and sees both united. A modern music set up can, thanks to<br />
the newest of the NAD offspring, only exist out of two things anymore: the NAD C390 and a couple of<br />
speakers. Where does the music come from then, one might ask. What is the source? Just like a Sony<br />
PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, this amplifier is just about completely plug and play. NAD<br />
has been working with modular designs <strong>for</strong> a while, all in function of the consumer and a technologically<br />
quickly evolving market. I'll explain: on the front is a USB-port, which you can use easily <strong>for</strong> a USB stick or<br />
key. You can then easily browse your music, select your favourite tracks and play them, all on the highest<br />
quality possible! In the middle of the front is a display that is big and clear enough even from a decent<br />
distance, on which you can clearly follow every action and movement in the menu. An A-B compare between<br />
certain cd-tracks and their equal WAV-brother, played from a USB stick, are, at the very least equally good.<br />
And to think that in this test a high quality player was used, more expensive than the NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> itself...<br />
On the back is another USB-port, which is useful to connect a computer or a laptop. Luckily the NAD clock<br />
overrules the PC or laptop one. This is called an asynchronous connection. High quality sound guaranteed!<br />
Presenting HD audiotracks (24-bit/96 kHz)* becomes child's play this way. The source materiel is digital,<br />
signal processing digital, amplification digital... that promises one hell of a listening experience! Lots of<br />
dynamics, very little distortion, lots of resolution and hardly any signal affection. These are a few of NAD's<br />
core ideas made reality.<br />
The NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> is mainly a digital machine. Standard wise you'll find a AES/EBU entrance, 2 optical ins<br />
and 1 out, 2 coaxial ins and 1 out. An extra asset is the dubbel subwoofer pre-out and double exectued<br />
speakerclamps <strong>for</strong> bi-wire options.<br />
Modular Futureproof<br />
Page 2 of 4<br />
Whoever thinks of passing their TV sound throughout the amp will not be disappointed with the NAD C<br />
<strong>390DD</strong>. Or whoever wants to listen to his vinyl collection digitally, has modular options. NAD offers, <strong>for</strong> a<br />
democratically priced surcharge of €249/module, HDMI and analogue modules. These can be built in from<br />
the start, or later on. Using a difficult term, NAD calls this MDC design. Such a HDMI module adds 3 HDMI<br />
ins and one out. If you add an analogue module, you get a cinch, XLR and phono in. By the way, RIAA<br />
corrections happens completely in the DSP part. The option to have access to modules that have<br />
http://nadelectronics.com/articles/C-<strong>390DD</strong>-<strong>Paves</strong>-<strong>Way</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>Digital</strong>-<strong>Revolution</strong><br />
19.9.2012
C <strong>390DD</strong> <strong>Paves</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Digital</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong> - NAD Electronics<br />
technological possibilities, adapted to the needs of the moment, now and tomorrow, give the consumer a<br />
contact<br />
clear guarantee <strong>for</strong> the future. This way you get everything out of your musical investment!<br />
Listening <strong>Digital</strong>ly<br />
Listening digitally starts with a USB-key, with some popular songs of Trendmöller, Selah Sue and Youn Sun<br />
Nah. The digital NAD amp completely controls the pair of Bowers&Wilkins CM9. Music is made in a powerful<br />
and dynamic way. A very open and clear sound image is presented inbetween the speakers. The lows on<br />
the Trendmöller tracks sound very tight, with loads of pressure. Voices are placed nicely in the surrounding<br />
space. Because of this, Selah Sue sounds breathtakingly intimate, and later on even bitchy. Musical flavours A member of the<br />
on request. Youn Sun Nah is known <strong>for</strong> her close micing recordings. This is reflected perfectly with the<br />
display. I close my eyes and I can feel the outlines of her face. Despite the fact that on this level a decent<br />
amount of attention goes into musical details, I feel a hunger <strong>for</strong> more. The NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> has more in<br />
stock, and can't wait to show that off.<br />
Literally and figuratively a level higher, there's a pair of Bowers&Wilkins 800 Diamond, shining in wait.<br />
Curious, but without any high expectations, I connect the NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> to these giants. I get the same<br />
sound levels as any other amplifiers, without problems. The amount of control in the lows baffles me. The<br />
fact that the NAD M2 matches with these top of the line speakers in itself is a miracle. Same goes <strong>for</strong> its little<br />
brother. It creates music vividly and with lots of certainty. The great fun begins when I switch to HD<br />
audiofiles. Yes, the better stuff, 24 bits / 96 kHz*, using USB through the laptop. It seems a whole new world<br />
has opened. This is what digital amplifiers were made <strong>for</strong>: maximal resolution, maximal in<strong>for</strong>mation. Great<br />
listening! You just look in and through the music. The Bowers&Wilkins 800 diamond translate everything<br />
flawlessly to my pampered ears. An NAD M2 opens up the display just bit more, with that bit more calmness.<br />
Compare it to a spunky 6-cylinder versus a V8. Nothing but driving fun. Technically the NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> is in<br />
perfect capability to control a pair of B&W 800, but they're not the ultimate pair. You'd probably get the best<br />
out of a B&W 805 or 804 diamond with it, now that we are talking about Bowers&Wilkins. Myself, I'm most<br />
pleased about the high resolution and the experience that comes with it. Piano music, <strong>for</strong> instance, gets<br />
more body, more realness, better timingand more depth. Overall, it seems the display depth has doubled!<br />
The sound display seems to climb higher as well, and the timbres sound so very natural. Voices tend to get<br />
more air, shape and expression. I almost <strong>for</strong>got a stronger amount of "layeredness", which makes it easier to<br />
distinguish between different musical components, without the loss of homogenity. Whether we are talking<br />
about the big drums of Kodo, the virtual piano playing of Mari Kodama, the sweet-voiced voice of Sarah K,<br />
the NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> brings nothing but musical pleasure.<br />
Nice to know: the digital NAD amp is sensitive to power cables. Investing in a decent powercord almost<br />
certainly leads to an even better experience. Connect your amp to a battery, and the party's on! You get,<br />
respectively, more rest and a pitch-black musical background. You should also experiment with different<br />
USB cables to connect your laptop. The best result is probably obtained with a Audioquest Diamond. These<br />
last thoughts are food <strong>for</strong> though, especially <strong>for</strong> audiophiles...<br />
Nothing but Upsides<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Available power/power reserve<br />
Sound quality<br />
Musical resolution (24 bit/96 kHz via USB)*<br />
Tight design<br />
http://nadelectronics.com/articles/C-<strong>390DD</strong>-<strong>Paves</strong>-<strong>Way</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>Digital</strong>-<strong>Revolution</strong><br />
Page 3 of 4<br />
19.9.2012
C <strong>390DD</strong> <strong>Paves</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Digital</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong> - NAD Electronics<br />
• Functional display<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Plug and play/ease of use<br />
Modular design (MDC)<br />
Price<br />
Conclusion<br />
I, myself, find the NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> even more revolutionary than the M2. The apparatus has, technically<br />
speaking, a lot of the M2-genes. Soundwise, this NAD offspring gets the best marks of its class, and even<br />
above that. I would call the high plug and play level at least contemporary. The device is ready <strong>for</strong> the future,<br />
thanks to its MDC design. Whoever wants to listen to music in a modern and very qualitative way nowadays,<br />
just can't avoid the NAD C <strong>390DD</strong>. The label 'Product of the Year' was created especially <strong>for</strong> exceptional<br />
devices such as this digital NAD amp. Buying Tip and a must have <strong>for</strong> every music lover! Honestly, I look<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward to the next batch of derived M2 products (e.g. AV receivers)...<br />
For the full online review (available in various languages) on AudioVideo2Day, click here.<br />
* Facts have been corrected from original version<br />
Related News and Reviews<br />
C <strong>390DD</strong> Direct <strong>Digital</strong> Powered DAC Amplifier<br />
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•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
2012-09-10 NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> is Product of the Month in Gramophone<br />
2012-09-06 Brilliant NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> Review in Absolute Sound<br />
2012-08-27 Exclusive NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> Review in Eins Null<br />
2012-08-14 NAD C <strong>390DD</strong> from <strong>Digital</strong> Audio Review<br />
2012-08-09 Alpha-Audio Reviews NAD C <strong>390DD</strong><br />
2012-07-13 C <strong>390DD</strong> and C 446 Star in Absolute Sound Guide<br />
2012-07-12 Australian Hi-Fi Review NAD T 787 and C <strong>390DD</strong><br />
2012-03-05 HiFidelity Go <strong>Digital</strong> With C <strong>390DD</strong><br />
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