NAD C 658 DAC- preamplifier

NAD C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC

Features:
BluOS Network Streaming with MQA decoding
ESS Saber DAC
Dirac Live room correction
Gigabit Ethernet
Dual-band WiFi 5 a / c / n
2-way Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth
2 x MDC slots for future expansion
MM phono input
2 x line inputs
2 x optical inputs
2 x coax inputs
Balanced preamp output
Preamp output
Stereo subwoofer output
High current headphone output
USB port for adding an optional wireless output module
IR input with learning function
Trigger out / in

The architecture of HiFi playback is being redefined

As we move deeper into the 21st century, the way music is distributed and enjoyed continues to evolve from physical media to streaming. It has also moved from analog to digital. The C 658 has incorporated these fundamental truths to create a whole new breed of component that combines a network streamer, a state-of-the-art DAC, and many aspects of the traditional preamplifier in a single, extremely affordable package. And thanks to NAD's exclusive modular design construction, it will keep up with the latest technology that has not yet been introduced but will inevitably come in the future. In fact, an optional HDMI 4k switcher module is now available, allowing the best possible sound from one of the many HDMI sources available (such as game consoles and video STBs). While the C 658 instantly replaces (or adds) your streamer, DAC and preamp, it also adds a lot of new features that you may not be familiar with, such as: The highly flexible outputs enable a balanced connection to active speakers or amplifiers. There are also single-ended connections for amplifiers and subwoofers which contain an adjustable subwoofer crossover that is perfectly executed in the digital domain. A sophisticated MM phono input is available as well as line inputs for older analog components.

BluOS Ö activated

Also on board is BluOS, the most sophisticated high-res streaming system on the market. BluOS natively supports over 15 streaming music services and the indexing of over 250,000 tracks from local network sources. The C 658 becomes a node in the BluOS ecosystem and enables high-resolution network streaming in 64 zones as well as control options for iOS, Android, Windows and Mac OS phones, tablets and desktop devices. BluOS also supports all major smart home controllers and is available in a wide range of products. You can easily develop an entire house audio system with the C 658.

Traditional NAD performance and value

The C 658 is part of our Classic line of components that have an enviable reputation for bringing more enjoyment for less money to music lovers. If you're looking for a solid block of hand-crafted aluminum with gold-plated accents, you must look elsewhere. If you want the highest levels of performance and features in a robust, no-nonsense package, you've come to the right place.

High resolution in every detail

Most NAD components have been highly resistant for 45 years with a very large bandwidth, low distortion and extremely low noise. We just never had high resolution source material to play. With high res digital recording and streaming combined with advanced technology like MQA, record labels are opening their vaults and releasing studio master quality recordings. MQA decoding is available through BluOS streaming content. The C 658 is pure high res from input to output and features the ESS Saber 32-bit DAC, one of the most powerful DACs on the market today with a dynamic range of 118 dB and incredibly low jitter values. All preamp functions are performed in the digital domain, including the same broad, non-attenuating digital volume control used in our Masters Series components. This provides an incredibly short analog signal path that is clearly the same for all volume settings. Advanced active power supplies provide all circuits with extremely clean voltages to keep noise and distortion at the edge of measurability.

Make the speakers disappear (it's not magic)

The C 658 is also the first NAD stereo component to offer Dirac Live Room Correction *, the most sophisticated and effective room correction available. Dirac corrects the impulse response of your speakers in addition to the frequency response of your room for a truly transparent window into the musical performance. When the room resonances are tamed and the transient response corrected, the result is magical. You've never heard your speakers sound this invisible or this good!
* These features will be implemented through future software upgrades. Note: The C 658 includes a license for Dirac Live with the option for advanced users to upgrade to a full version of Dirac Live.

Master quality authenticated

Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is a revolutionary end-to-end technology built into every BluOS Enabled amplifier to record MQA music in the purest quality and deliver it to your speakers. All BluOS-enabled players and systems contain a powerful decoder and audio renderer for millions of MQA-encoded songs. The MQA logo displayed in the BluOS app indicates that the device is decoding an MQA stream or MQA file and listening to exactly what the artist recorded and approved in the studio.

Technical specifications

LINE INPUT, PRE-OUT
THD (20Hz - 20kHz): <0.005% at 2V off
Signal to Noise Ratio:> 106dB (IHF, A- weighted, Ref.500mV out, unity gain)
Channel separation:> 80 dB (1 kHz) /> 70dB (10 kHz)
Input impedance (R and C): 22 kohms + 100pF
Maximum input signal:> 4.5 Vrms (Ref. 0.1% THD)
Output impedance: source Z + 240 ohms
Input sensitivity: 93mV (corresponds to 500mV off, volume maximum)
Frequency response: ± 0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Maximum voltage output - IHF load:> 4.5 V (reference: 0.1% THD)
Pitch control:> ± 7.0 dB at 20 kHz; Bass: ± 7.0 dB at 60 Hz; Balance: - 10 dB

PHONO INPUT, AUDIO PRE-OUT
THD (20Hz - 20kHz): <0.01% at 2V off
Signal-to-noise ratio:> 84 dB (source: 200 Ohm, A-weighted, reference: 500 mV) /> 76dB (MM cassette source, IHF, A-weighted, ref.500mV out)
Input sensitivity: 1.44 mV (reference 500mV off, volume maximum)
Frequency response:> ± 0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Maximum input signal at 1 kHz:> 80 mVrms (Ref.0.1% THD)

LINE INPUT, HEADPHONE OUT
THD (20Hz - 20kHz): <0.005% at 1V off
Signal-to-noise ratio:> 110dB (32 Ohm loads; A-WTD, Ref. 2V out, unity gain)
Frequency response: ± 0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Channel separation: >> 60 dB at 1 kHz
Output impedance: 6 ohms

DAC
Supported audio file formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, ALAC, OPUS
High resolution audio formats: MQA, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, supports converted DSD playback via BluOS desktop app (only)
Native sampling rates: up to 32bit / 192kHz
Bit depths: 16 - 24

BluOS
Supported operating systems: Plays music from network shares on the following desktop operating systems: Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8 on current Windows operating systems and Mac OS X versions
Mobile operating system of the user interface: luOS - Free Android and iOS app available online at Google Play and Apple App Store
Supported cloud services: Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, HDTracks, HighResAudio, Murfie, JUKE, Napster, Slacker Radio, KKBox, Bugs
Free internet radio: TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Calm Radio, Radio Paradies
Bluetooth quality: Bluetooth aptX HD wireless integrated
Bluetooth connection: two-way (sending and receiving)
Network connection: Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 / WiFi 5 (802.11 b / g / n)

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 x 100 x 405 mm
Shipping weight: 10.1kg