NAD Announces An Affordable Music Streamer For Older Hi-Fi Systems
The neat little NAD CS1 streamer is an ideal way to bring an older audio system up to date.
NAD
Rumors of the demise of music on physical media aren’t true. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the trade organization of major music companies: “Recorded music revenues in the USA grew 27% in the first half of 2021 versus the prior year, from $5.6 to $7.1 billion at retail value.”
However, despite the resurgence in CDs, vinyl and even cassettes, many of us are now turning to streaming services like TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify and Amazon for our music needs. Streaming is more convenient and gives you access to hi-res digital versions of almost any recorded track. So, if you fancy switching to streaming, but your audio system only has a turntable or a CD player, how can you get online and enjoy high-res music downloads?
NAD has just announced the NAD CS1, an affordable music streamer with audiophile-grade components that can play high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. The CS1 offers Bluetooth, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and supports the most popular streaming and casting protocols, including Apple AirPlay 2, GoogleCast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon. The NAD CS1 is also certified for network sharing via DNLA/UPnP protocols and will be sold in March 2023.
The CS1 Streamer from NAD offers Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay, GoogleCast, plus connections over … [+] Wi-Fi and Ethernet for streaming music from online services, smartphone, tablets and computers.
NAD
NAD says there are many ways to play music through the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer. Listeners can stream from their smartphone, tablet or computer using Bluetooth to pair the CS1 with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Listeners can also use AirPlay 2 to stream CD-resolution audio from almost any app on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or an iTunes library running on a Windows PC. With GoogleCast, users can cue up music in any Cast-enabled app on a mobile device or personal computer, then transfer playback to the CS1.
The CS1’s Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect functions mean users can cue up music in the smartphone apps for those streaming services, then transfer playback to the CS1. Roon subscribers can also play music from their digital libraries and streaming services with resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer has an advanced differential digital section based on Texas Instruments PCM5141 DAC, a chip known for low noise, excellent dynamic performance and immunity to clock jitter. It also offers full MQA rendering and decoding capability for playing master-quality music from TIDAL.
At the rear of the NAD CS1 there’s a pair of RAC Phono outputs for hooking up to a regular … [+] amplifier. NAD has also included coax and optical digital outputs and connections for Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
NAD
Users can connect the CS1 to a home audio system via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The CS1 also has a pair of RCA analog outputs for connection to a stereo receiver, integrated amp, preamplifier or even a pair of powered speakers. Also included are optical and coaxial outputs for sending digital audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution to powered loudspeakers with digital inputs, an AV receiver or an external DAC.
So, if you have an old-school but great-sounding hi-fi system and you want to add streaming capability at a reasonable price, the NAD CS1 might be the one for you.
Pricing & Availability: The NAD CS1 will be available in retail shops and from NADElectronics.com with an expected price of $349 / £299 / €399 from March 2023.
More info: www.NADelectronics.com
Key Features:
Minimalist design. Bluetooth 5.0. Dual-band Wi-Fi plus Ethernet port. Support for DLNA/UPnP. Stereo analog, optical digital, and coaxial digital outputs. Texas Instruments PCM5141 DAC, with support for 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio and MQA decoding. Apple AirPlay 2 support. GoogleCast support. Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. Roon Ready.
