NAD C379 Integrated Amplifier
A good integrated amplifier should make the system more flexible without making the room more complicated.
When the System Needs More Than a Basic Amplifier
Some spaces do not need a large stack of components, but they still need more than a simple amp. TV sound, vinyl, digital sources, headphones, subwoofers, and proper speakers may all need to come together in one clean system.
The challenge is keeping that flexibility from turning into clutter. The system has to sound better, stay easy to use, and leave room for future changes without forcing the whole space to revolve around the equipment.
A Modern NAD Amplifier With Room to Grow
We chose the NAD C 379 because it gives a serious two-channel system a clean, capable centre. It combines HybridDigital UcD amplification, an ESS SABRE DAC, HDMI eARC, MM phono, dual subwoofer outputs, Bluetooth, and flexible digital and analogue inputs in one understated Classic Series amplifier.
This is the standard C 379, which makes sense when a preferred streamer is already part of the system, or when BluOS and Dirac room correction may come later. It can start as a focused amplifier/DAC and grow as the room, sources, or speaker plan changes.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
Flexible Enough for a Shared Space
The C 379 can handle TV audio through HDMI eARC, a turntable through MM phono, digital sources through optical and coaxial inputs, and bass planning through dual subwoofer outputs. That makes it practical for spaces where one system may need to support music, movies, records, and quiet listening.
The room stays cleaner because more of the system is handled from one component. Instead of adding another box for every source, the C 379 gives the setup a stable centre.
Clean Power Without Oversizing the System
With 80 watts per channel into 8 or 4 ohms, the C 379 has enough control for many quality bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. It is not trying to be a giant power amplifier, but it still has the grip and headroom to make proper speakers feel confident.
That balance works well when the system needs to sit naturally in a living room, den, office, or media space. The sound can feel full and composed without turning the setup into a wall of equipment.
An Upgrade Path That Keeps the First Step Useful
The dual MDC2 slots are a major part of why the C 379 makes sense. If streaming, Dirac Live room correction, BluOS multi-room audio, or future NAD modules become part of the plan, the amplifier can grow into that role.
That gives the system breathing room. It can start simple, then add more control, streaming, and room tuning if the space calls for it later.
Expert Consensus
SoundStage Access - SoundStage Access praised the C 379 for robust bass, clarity, punch, imaging, and excellent system value. The review also highlighted its upgradable design, bridgeable output stage, strong connectivity, headphone performance, and practical BluOS/Dirac expansion path.
The Audio Two Verdict
The NAD C 379 is the right fit when the system needs flexibility, speaker control, and useful inputs without jumping straight into a full streaming platform. It works especially well when TV sound, records, digital sources, and subwoofer planning all need to share one clean amplifier.
We would choose the standard C 379 when a streamer is already in place, when the first step needs to stay focused, or when BluOS and Dirac may be added later. If streaming and room correction are part of the plan from day one, the C 379 BluOS is the more complete version.
The Industry Take: "Best value I’ve encountered in quite some time." — SoundStage Access
Tech You Can Hear
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Clean drive for quality speakers | HybridDigital UcD amplification with 80W per channel into 8 or 4 ohms |
| More detail from digital sources | ESS SABRE ES9028 32-bit/384kHz DAC |
| Better TV sound through the stereo system | HDMI eARC input |
| Vinyl without another component | Built-in MM phono stage with accurate RIAA equalization |
| Better bass planning | Dual independent subwoofer outputs |
| Room to add streaming and tuning later | Dual MDC2 expansion slots with optional BluOS-D module support |
| Cleaner integration with control systems | 12V trigger, IR, RS-232, and custom-install connections |
Technical Highlights
- HybridDigital UcD integrated amplifier
- 80W per channel into 8 ohms or 4 ohms
- ESS SABRE ES9028 32-bit/384kHz DAC
- HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial, line-level, Bluetooth, and MM phono inputs
- Dual independent subwoofer outputs and stereo preamp outputs
- Dual MDC2 expansion slots for optional BluOS-D and future modules
- Bridgeable design with compatible NAD power amplification
Why Choose Audio Two
Audio Two ships across Canada. If you don't have access to a proper high-end dealer in your city, this is your way in — real expertise from people who've heard the system, matched the electronics, and can guide you through a decision this size.