The NAD C 388 stereo amplifier uses a special Hypex UcD output stage operating in a balanced bridge configuration. This virtually eliminates various distortions and noise in the audible range. The highly efficient power supply can operate with AC voltage from 100 to 240V. And it guarantees to deliver up to 150 W per channel. And this with a nonlinear distortion coefficient of 0.02% — quite stable for various loads.
NAD C 388 Stereo Amplifier – Overview, Features
The NAD C 388 includes an MM phono stage that follows the RIAA curve with a high overload margin. Plus, it effectively suppresses infrasonic noise thanks to a well-designed Subsonic filter. The amplifier has two MDC expansion slots for connecting additional modules. Currently, the following modules are available for the NAD C 388:
- MDC BluOS 2 Module. It adds Ethernet interface and supports Wi-Fi wireless connectivity for streaming playback. It includes support for music services Spotify Connect, Tidal, and TuneIn. The module can decode main digital audio formats (including MQA) up to 24bit/192kHz. Another nice feature is that the module can play audio files from a USB drive.
- DD HDM-1 Module – adds three HDMI inputs (stereo, PCM 24bit/192kHz) and one output for pass-through video signal.
- DD HDM-2 Module – similar to HDM-1 but supports 4K resolution.
Technical Specifications of the NAD C 388 Hybrid Stereo Amplifier
| Channels | 2 |
| Output Power (4/8 Ohms) | 150 W per channel
(20 kHz – 20 kHz, THD 0.02%) |
| Peak Power (4 Ohms) | 350 W per channel |
| Class | D |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 106 dB (line); 76 dB (MM) |
| Nonlinear Distortion Coefficient | 0.005% (line, 2V); 0.01% (MM, 2V) |
| Damping Factor | 150 |
| Direct Mode | Yes (Tone Bypass) |
| Adjustments | Balance, Bass, Treble |
| Phono Stage | MM |
| Line Inputs | 2 |
| Line Outputs | – |
| Preamp Output | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (2) |
| Digital Inputs | S/PDIF: optical (2), coaxial (2) |
| DAC | ESS Sabre (dual balanced configuration) |
| Supported Digital Formats (S/PDIF) | PCM 192 kHz / 24-bit |
| Additional Interfaces | RS232, IR in, IR out, USB (service) |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth (AptX), smartphone control |
| Remote Control | Yes |
| Auto Power Off | Yes |
| Power Cable | Detachable |
| 12V Trigger | Input, output |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 435 x 390 x 120 mm |
| Weight | 11.2 kg |
It’s a pity that there is no full-fledged DSP (Digital Signal Processor). After all, it is a digital amplifier, and it would be right to equip it with the appropriate functionality. For complete happiness, spatial effects when watching movies in high-quality sound are very much lacking. And if we are to find faults, then there is no DTS decoder. Of course, we do not have a 5.1 system, but movies with DTS audio codec cannot be watched without the MDC BluOS module.
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