There’s no denying that streaming dominates the way we consume music these days. But if your living room’s perfectly good hi-fi feels so unloved, a little black box from Canada’s NAD can help bring your aging setup into the 21st century.
Of course, there are other standalone streaming boxes and amplifiers in NAD’s product line, but CS1 does not rely on integrated streaming platforms and supports popular third-party streaming and casting protocols such as Spotify, Tidal and more. , google, apple.
The unit can connect to your home network via 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi or Ethernet LAN. The user can then enjoy her CD quality from her iPhone, iPad, or Mac via his AirPlay 2. Tablets and PCs do a little better with resolutions up to 24-bit/96 kHz, and Roon subscribers can take advantage of streaming services or their own digital library at up to 24-bit/192 kHz (maximum supported audio resolution). by unit.
NAD Electronics
Tunes can also be lined up with the Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect apps, and playback will be transferred to the CS1 and output through your Hi-Fi system via the left and right RCA ports. Optical/coaxial digital output if you prefer a minimal setup.
By the time it launches in March, the company expects DNLA/UPnP certification to be in place, allowing users to access their favorite music apps rather than requiring a dedicated app like some streaming units do. Allows you to control the unit from within. This unit boasts full MQA rendering and decoding chops for Tidal’s master-quality music. It also has Bluetooth 5.0 and can be paired with a smartphone, tablet, dedicated DAP, or computer.
And finally, the company promises an audiophile-grade listening experience from the NAD CS1 thanks to premium components like TI’s PCM5141 digital-to-analog converter. .”
NAD Electronics
Cas Oostvogel, product manager at NAD, said: “The CS1 makes it easy to add streaming to a traditional stereo or home theater setup, or someone could combine the CS1 with a pair of powered speakers to create a space-saving system for a den or home office. You can also do it, you won’t get streaming, it’s easier than this.”
The NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer – to use its Sunday name – measures 5.5 x 5.5 x 2.16 inches (140 x 140 x 55 mm) and weighs 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). Available in March for $349.
Product page: NAD CS1
