Hey, if you are using a laptop, see if going on battery power alone still causes the buzz. If it stops it, you need a USB ground isolator.
Bit Disappointed in NAD
I have a C375BEE integrated that I bought awhile back that I like quite a bit. Built a new house, so my system was in boxes for awhile. Finally finished the house, so I unpacked my system and bought the MDC DAC 2.0 card from Crutchfield to add to my amp. I specifically bought this DAC so I could stream from iTunes via the USB input on the DAC. Installed the DAC, and right away noticed a significant buzz ONLY on the USB input (buzz rises/falls in step w/ volume). Tried the phono and optical inputs on the DAC, and they are fine, no buzz.
Contacted NAD, and was told to bring the amp and DAC to one of their authorized repair centers. Did so, and was charged $65 for a diagnostic fee so they could tell me:
- 1) Yes, the USB input buzzes
- 2) No, the unit is not repairable
- 3) No, there are no more, since the DAC has now been discontinued
- 4) The best they could do is send me a used DAC 1.0, which only supports 96kHz sampling instead of 192kHz on the 2.0
Now realistically, I doubt I'll be able to hear the difference between 96 and 192kHz. But I'm disappointed that I bought a product from what I thought was a reputable company, and even though they agree it's defective and is still under warranty, the best they can do is substitute an older, inferior product. I'm also really surprised that they don't even attempt to repair these. Personally, I find that these days we live in a bit of a "throw-away" society, and would have thought an electronics company with a reputation like NAD's would have been the exception to that.
It's only a $250 part, and maybe I'm just frustrated because I haven't had any music in over a month now, but I felt like venting a bit.
19 responses Add your response
Yes, you should not have been charged the diagnostic fee with the warranty still in force. I have the same NAD amp as you. The 375 is capable of accepting two add on modules...phono and DAC. Since most of my listening is vinyl I opted for the phono module. The sound was OK but I was curious if the sound would improve with an outboard phono preamp. I purchased a phono pre and the improvement was VERY noticeable so now I use that and let the NAD module just sit. Don't underestimate your NAD amp. It is very capable of good performance. Service under warranty is an issue to be resolved with the original dealer or NAD itself. I would fight for the $65 refund. Your buzzing problem could very well be caused by things suggested by others . |
Odd. Sorry you have to deal with that. Don't understand why Crutchfield wont just give you the money back? They have a 60 day money back guarantee? And its still listed as current on Nads website. https://nadelectronics.com/product/mdc-dac-2-0/ Solen still lists it as current. Something seems "off" with Crutchfield as well as a diagnostic fee. Good luck. |
I'll answer a few common questions here: I was told I needed to pay the diagnostic fee because as I installed the MDC DAC module myself, it was possible that the issue was user error. NAD is now saying that the repair shop should refund me the $65, as they've determined it was not user error. We'll see what the repair shop says. Unfortunately, I was so busy building the house, by the time I got a minute to call Crutchfield, I was outside of their 60-day return window, and they were not inclined to take back a part that had been discontinued. NAD says there is no replacement coming out, as they are no longer using the modular MDC platform. The only outboard DAC that sell now is a Bluetooth module. |
Nad customer service sucks, that shows they could care less about after the sale . I owned their top preamp dac and sold it .i would never buy their products again since their is so much more out there . Why don’t you look at the just discontinued model but very well supported From underwood wally the peachtree Audio 220-SE it got a ton of excellent reviews ,and very respectable dac it sold for $2k and beat integrated sat 2 x that on sale $995 delivered, with a class A preamp section and vacuum tube I bought one for a second system excellent with full 2 year warranty . |
nobbyv If the unit is within warranty and can't be repaired, and the manufacturer doesn't have a replacement model to offer you, I think you're entitled to a refund in full. I'd seek that from Crutchfield and have NAD arrange for a refund on the bench fee if the shop doesn't cooperate. After all, the shop was authorized to act as NAD's agent. |
Bottom line is that Nad isn’t going to refund anything on a long out of production unit(about 3 years or so). Almost no companies would. It’s too bad that the OP didn’t even check out his 375 before the 60 day return window(pretty long return window). Always at least check out your new component before the return window, people. It’s no comfort to the OP, too bad that things turned out so poorly. I had a C356BEE with the dac unit installed, and I never attempted to connect a laptop or computer. When I sold it the buyer said he was getting some hum when he connected his computer. I did a quick google and found some cures on the hum. I forget what I found then, but perhaps it’s an easy fix. My buyer was able to find a cure on line. I wasn’t too impressed with the built in dac, however. I’d advise the OP to get a cheap stand alone dac and forget about the Nad one, it’s a dud compared to what’s out there for cheap these days. I’d suggest a Schiit Audio Modi 3 for $99. It’ll surprise you what you’ve been missing in your music. |
213runnin Bottom line is that Nad isn’t going to refund anything on a long out of production unit(about 3 years or so). Almost no companies wouldNAD and the dealer have obligations under the warranty and if between them the obligation cannot be fulfilled, the customer is entitled to a refund. Crutchfield has a history of good customer service, and I think they'll issue the refund once it's proven that NAD can't honor the warranty. That leaves the refund of the bench fee, which should be paid by NAD if the shop won't comply. |
Oops, sorry about going off half cocked! On the MDC, I found people that had noise issues so it might be somewhat common. Either way since the 60 day window is gone, there is only so much Crutchfield will probably do. cleeds, what should happen and what will happen are often far apart over a small amount of money. The courts would view it as small anyway. |
In my earlier post I explained that when I purchased my NAD C375BEE (from an authorized dealer) I requested the phono module at the same time. The dealer, which is also a very capable facility in repairing equipment, installed the phono module. After reading the installation of the module, which didn't look extremely difficult, I decided to not open the case myself but to let the dealer install the module when the amp arrived to their store. It seemed like a simple task of plugging in and unplugging ribbon cables at the proper place but since it was a new purchase I just left the task to them. With the phono module installed the phono input of the amp is automatically disabled. Therefore, another amp input for my outboard phono preamp had to be connected to an input rather than phono. No problem. Since I never installed a DAC module I don't know if a similar conflict would occur as with the phono module. I assume you connected the DAC module in the correct places in the amp. Hope your problem is solved. |
So I’m not sure what changed their minds, but NAD just emailed me with an fairly amazing offer: trade in my C375BEE w/ the DAC, and they’ll send me a C388 w/ the BluOS-2i DAC/wireless streaming module. The thing is $2200 new, and meets or exceeds all the specs of my C375. I haven’t auditioned it, but every review I’ve read raves about the sound. It looks like they had some issues with the streaming functionality on the previous version, but hopefully it’s corrected on the 2i version. If not, the streaming was gravy, anyway. I just want to direct connect my laptop and play off iTunes. Frankly, this is above and beyond for customer service, in my opinion. I know some others said they’d also had some trouble with NAD; perhaps this is a sign they recognize they’ve been dropping the ball and are looking to improve? |
That’s outstanding customer service, I’m really surprised. I was wrong about Nad, that’s a great offer they’ve made to you. Generally speaking they do make reliable products. I’ve had integrated amps from their previous generation, and still own the C565BEE CD spinner, and nary a problem from any of them. |
