User Review: C 390DD Direct Digital Powered DAC Amplifier - Great amp, lots of details, no noise

August 29, 2012

Products: C 390DD Direct Digital Powered DAC Amplifier

The C 390DD is a great amp. My old amp was the C 356BEE, so that is my reference, loudspeakers are the Naim Ovator S-400. The 390DD offers a lot more detail, the presentation is "calmer" and there is no noise. The amp controlls the loudspeaker pretty good, the sound is powerfull when necessary but not overexcited. Even on low volume there is lots of detail to listen to. Even if i was already pretty satisfied with the C 356BEE, i had the feeling that my loudspeakers had more possibilities. The C 390DD was a big step up, the sound is very pleasing and neutral, so this amp will probably be my amp of choice for a long time. Some minor issues: So far, i could not figure out, how to connect my headphones. I connected the headphone amp to the preamp out, but i can't find a way, to turn the speakers mute. When playing music via usb-stick (front) with the CD-Player C 565BEE i am able to control the usb-stick via the remote of the cd-player, with the C 390DD i can choose which file to play, but i can't start, stop or skip with the remote. The new C 390DD remote control does not handle the cd-player anymore, so now i have to use 2 remotes again.

Gunnar A - Germany