Audio Fix / setup help

NAD C 389 / NAD C 399: send a known amplifier input to Bluetooth headphones

Send a known amplifier input to Bluetooth headphones. Exact C 389 or C 399 without MDC2 BluOS-D, a fitted antenna and known Bluetooth headphones ready for pairing. The owner accepts changing the Bluetooth role; headphone level is low before connection.

Manufacturer-documented Reviewed 2026-11-10 · Revision 1

Follow these checks in Audio Fix →

When this guide applies

Exact C 389 or C 399 without MDC2 BluOS-D, a fitted antenna and known Bluetooth headphones ready for pairing. The owner accepts changing the Bluetooth role; headphone level is low before connection.

Connection scope: Bluetooth. Symptom: Sound goes to the wrong output.

This is a documented check, not a diagnosis of your equipment. The model name does not confirm the selected input, mode, software or connected partner.

If your exact model or a required setting is unknown, use the “I don’t know” branch below. Do not apply a similarly named model’s instructions.

Checks and possible outcomes

Start at scope. Follow the link that matches what you actually observe. Alternative branches are not a single sequence of actions.

scope

Confirm the exact setup

Exact C 389 or C 399 without MDC2 BluOS-D, a fitted antenna and known Bluetooth headphones ready for pairing. The owner accepts changing the Bluetooth role; headphone level is low before connection.

Look for: Continue only when all stated prerequisites are known.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10

a1

Choose the transmitting role

In Settings select Bluetooth Mode > Source. This changes the amplifier from receiving phone audio to sending a selected source to another receiver, such as headphones.

Look for: Source mode is intentionally selected.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10

a2

Search from the amplifier

In Source mode press ENTER for Source Setup. From Disconnected press ENTER to start INQUIRE, then choose only the intended discoverable headphones and confirm with ENTER.

Look for: The intended headphones are selected and connected.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10

a3

Choose the music input

Use the source selector to choose the actual input to be sent, such as the already connected optical input. Resume at a quiet level; do not alter fixed-volume or output-gain settings as a shortcut.

Look for: Observe the selected input through the connected headphones.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10

result

Check the actual result

Can you hear the selected known input on the intended Bluetooth headphones?

Look for: A changed setting is not proof of a physical repair.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 — original manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.16–17, Bluetooth Source operation — The no-MDC2 chassis Source mode uses Source Setup, Disconnected and INQUIRE to find a receiver; the amplifier source selector then chooses the programme input.Only NAD C 389 / NAD C 399 and the stated connection role. Unknown hardware options, partner compatibility or menu state must stop. · Source checked 2026-11-10

Possible result

Checks completed — report the actual outcome

The stated observation was confirmed. Completion is not automatically Solved, an Audio Review physical test or a hardware diagnosis.

steps completed

Reaching this result does not mean the issue is solved. Only your own feedback can report improvement.

    Possible result

    Keep the observation for support

    Record the model, connection role and last visible result. Do not reset equipment, open its case, defeat protective limits or install an update to compensate for an unknown state.

    next support

    Reaching this result does not mean the issue is solved. Only your own feedback can report improvement.

      Possible result

      Confirm the unknown detail first

      An unknown detail is not a diagnosis. Check the exact manufacturer instructions before continuing.

      insufficient data

      Reaching this result does not mean the issue is solved. Only your own feedback can report improvement.

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