gava
Prominent Member
Disclaimers:
Price - tie: almost identical £2,100 v £2,000, but Lyndorf remote is £85 so price with remote the same.
Inputs and outputs - C399 wins: a lot more inputs, sub and pre-out, headphone out.
Power output - C399 wins by far: 180W v 60W. The 1120 simply did not have enough power to feel like it was properly in control of my speakers. Out of the box I was immediately in the red zone on the output and the system wasn't even playing particularly loud. By adjusting input gain I was able to stay out of the Red but I always felt the 1120 was underpowered for my speakers.
Amplifier quality - C399 wins: Very subjective and I cannot say with confidence I could pass a blind test, I suspect I could however if the signals could be isolated. I don't think it's simply that the C399 is much more powerful, I think the dynamics and clarity of the Hypex amplifier are absolutely superb.
DAC - C399 wins: Very subjective and I cannot say with confidence I could pass a blind test, I suspect I could however if the signals could be isolated. The DAC seems to have a bigger soundstage and cleaner background. I like this sound more. Seems more detailed. If you prefer a warmer sound then perhaps the 1120 would be more to your taste. I strongly suspect the DAC chip used in the C399 will measure a lot better. This sound signature seems to be there with speakers and headphones alike, which is why I attribute it to the DAC.
Roon - 1120 wins for now: NAD lists the C399 as Roon Ready, but the certification isn't yet complete so it will be Roon compatible at some point but not yet. [Edit: C399 now fully Roon Ready - so tie]
Remote Control - 1120 wins: if you accept the system price as equal with remote then the actual quality of the remote and ability to assign presets on the Lyngdorf remote is nicer.
DSP - 1120 clear winner: firstly the 1120 has a full DSP suite on board with parametric EQ, etc. The NAD has nothing comparable - all you can do is set your sub crossover.
Dirac v Roomperfect - tie: I think that Roomperfect is probably superior overall. Certainly at lower volumes RP had an edge. The ability to set multiple focus positions is superb and the multiple voicings are an excellent feature. However I would say that with my speakers and room Dirac live interferes less with the soundstage and imaging than Roomperfect does. On balance the benefit from Dirac is acceptable to me and Roomperfect was not - this was a surprise to me and the opposite of what I was expecting. So although I strongly suspect that for many or even possibly the majority of systems, rooms and listeners Roomperfect would be better, I would leave it turned off much of the time, and with Dirac the reverse is the case. Setting up Roomperfect is certainly easier and less time consuming than Dirac.
BluOS v Lyngdorf - BluOS wins: Just easier all round to use, I think it has more services available too. Matter of preference and not a big deal. I can believe some people would prefer Lyngdorf. As it happens I think I prefer them both to Roon, though Roon has its uses. The fact that there are two ways of controlling the Lyngdorf is rather clunky; some things are done in the app, some things are done in the browser, some things can be done in either place but with different UI design. One thing that I really like about BluOS is that there is a Windows app - so I can control the system from my PC when I want to - don't HAVE to use the mobile app. The only way to control Qobuz on the Lyndorf was with Bubble or MConnect mobile apps. This is the biggest single reason I prefer BluOS.
Display - C399 wins: from the sofa I can see what is playing when streaming and which input is selected. Not so with the 1120. The icons are tiny, there is no associated text. Selecting inputs had to be done via memorising the position of the little lights. My vision with specs isn't bad but I could never read the icons from the sofa.
Power saving - tie: NAD allows you to disable the auto-power off. Not Lyngdorf's fault as they are an EU manufacturer, but letting me turn on the system when I start listening and switching off manually at night when I want to is a big plus for me. I found the 1120 unbearably irritating in its aggressive power saving. [Edit: this has now been fixed on the 1120, can be disabled.]
Size - 1120 wins: Well it's smaller at least. Design is pretty subjective and I don't really have a preference. If you are limited on space however it would be much easier to slot the 1120 onto a sideboard or shelf.
Engineering quality - Lyngdorf wins: The whole mess of the MDC2 module and AC interference I have experienced with Dirac 2.2 engaged has been very troublesome. With the 1120 I never experienced any AC interference with RP engaged or not. If you know or suspect you have noisy mains and want to run Dirac 2.2 then caution is advised. NAD's rush to ship product before it's been adequately tested in the field is not good for their reputation. [Edit: the power issues have now been resolved so - tie]
Dealer support - tie: both dealers seemed to be backed by the manufacturer and gave exemplary support and assistance. I cannot speak highly enough of SSAV Manchester or @Tom @ Cinehome .
Overall sound quality - C399 clear winner: after all configuration is done listening to Qobuz on the C399 is an experience that seems to be in a completely different class. Simply listening to music my partner (who loves music but has no interest in equipment) thought the C399 was much better and was surprised to hear the two systems cost the same; she based on sound alone she expected the C399 to be much more expensive.
Comment and recommendation for TDAI-1120. If I were getting the 1120 I would certainly get it with the Lyngdorf BW2 boundary woofers (trade in any subs you already have), possibly with their MH speakers too, or perhaps a set of KEF LS50M. That would be a £5,000 system that would be extremely hard to beat. For myself however I was already starting with a set of speakers and subs that I think simply were not a great match for the 1120.
tag: @Jester1066
- My ears.
- My speakers.
- My subs.
- My room.
- My own idiosyncrasies and lack of ability, experience and brainpower where it may matter most.
- Had the 1120 on 2-week trial only.
Price - tie: almost identical £2,100 v £2,000, but Lyndorf remote is £85 so price with remote the same.
Inputs and outputs - C399 wins: a lot more inputs, sub and pre-out, headphone out.
Power output - C399 wins by far: 180W v 60W. The 1120 simply did not have enough power to feel like it was properly in control of my speakers. Out of the box I was immediately in the red zone on the output and the system wasn't even playing particularly loud. By adjusting input gain I was able to stay out of the Red but I always felt the 1120 was underpowered for my speakers.
Amplifier quality - C399 wins: Very subjective and I cannot say with confidence I could pass a blind test, I suspect I could however if the signals could be isolated. I don't think it's simply that the C399 is much more powerful, I think the dynamics and clarity of the Hypex amplifier are absolutely superb.
DAC - C399 wins: Very subjective and I cannot say with confidence I could pass a blind test, I suspect I could however if the signals could be isolated. The DAC seems to have a bigger soundstage and cleaner background. I like this sound more. Seems more detailed. If you prefer a warmer sound then perhaps the 1120 would be more to your taste. I strongly suspect the DAC chip used in the C399 will measure a lot better. This sound signature seems to be there with speakers and headphones alike, which is why I attribute it to the DAC.
Roon - 1120 wins for now: NAD lists the C399 as Roon Ready, but the certification isn't yet complete so it will be Roon compatible at some point but not yet. [Edit: C399 now fully Roon Ready - so tie]
Remote Control - 1120 wins: if you accept the system price as equal with remote then the actual quality of the remote and ability to assign presets on the Lyngdorf remote is nicer.
DSP - 1120 clear winner: firstly the 1120 has a full DSP suite on board with parametric EQ, etc. The NAD has nothing comparable - all you can do is set your sub crossover.
Dirac v Roomperfect - tie: I think that Roomperfect is probably superior overall. Certainly at lower volumes RP had an edge. The ability to set multiple focus positions is superb and the multiple voicings are an excellent feature. However I would say that with my speakers and room Dirac live interferes less with the soundstage and imaging than Roomperfect does. On balance the benefit from Dirac is acceptable to me and Roomperfect was not - this was a surprise to me and the opposite of what I was expecting. So although I strongly suspect that for many or even possibly the majority of systems, rooms and listeners Roomperfect would be better, I would leave it turned off much of the time, and with Dirac the reverse is the case. Setting up Roomperfect is certainly easier and less time consuming than Dirac.
BluOS v Lyngdorf - BluOS wins: Just easier all round to use, I think it has more services available too. Matter of preference and not a big deal. I can believe some people would prefer Lyngdorf. As it happens I think I prefer them both to Roon, though Roon has its uses. The fact that there are two ways of controlling the Lyngdorf is rather clunky; some things are done in the app, some things are done in the browser, some things can be done in either place but with different UI design. One thing that I really like about BluOS is that there is a Windows app - so I can control the system from my PC when I want to - don't HAVE to use the mobile app. The only way to control Qobuz on the Lyndorf was with Bubble or MConnect mobile apps. This is the biggest single reason I prefer BluOS.
Display - C399 wins: from the sofa I can see what is playing when streaming and which input is selected. Not so with the 1120. The icons are tiny, there is no associated text. Selecting inputs had to be done via memorising the position of the little lights. My vision with specs isn't bad but I could never read the icons from the sofa.
Power saving - tie: NAD allows you to disable the auto-power off. Not Lyngdorf's fault as they are an EU manufacturer, but letting me turn on the system when I start listening and switching off manually at night when I want to is a big plus for me. I found the 1120 unbearably irritating in its aggressive power saving. [Edit: this has now been fixed on the 1120, can be disabled.]
Size - 1120 wins: Well it's smaller at least. Design is pretty subjective and I don't really have a preference. If you are limited on space however it would be much easier to slot the 1120 onto a sideboard or shelf.
Engineering quality - Lyngdorf wins: The whole mess of the MDC2 module and AC interference I have experienced with Dirac 2.2 engaged has been very troublesome. With the 1120 I never experienced any AC interference with RP engaged or not. If you know or suspect you have noisy mains and want to run Dirac 2.2 then caution is advised. NAD's rush to ship product before it's been adequately tested in the field is not good for their reputation. [Edit: the power issues have now been resolved so - tie]
Dealer support - tie: both dealers seemed to be backed by the manufacturer and gave exemplary support and assistance. I cannot speak highly enough of SSAV Manchester or @Tom @ Cinehome .
Overall sound quality - C399 clear winner: after all configuration is done listening to Qobuz on the C399 is an experience that seems to be in a completely different class. Simply listening to music my partner (who loves music but has no interest in equipment) thought the C399 was much better and was surprised to hear the two systems cost the same; she based on sound alone she expected the C399 to be much more expensive.
Comment and recommendation for TDAI-1120. If I were getting the 1120 I would certainly get it with the Lyngdorf BW2 boundary woofers (trade in any subs you already have), possibly with their MH speakers too, or perhaps a set of KEF LS50M. That would be a £5,000 system that would be extremely hard to beat. For myself however I was already starting with a set of speakers and subs that I think simply were not a great match for the 1120.
tag: @Jester1066
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