NAD C 658 BluOS Network Player/DIRAC Preamp with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth DAC

Description

C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC

The NAD C 658 is a new kind of stereo component, one that at
once changes preconceptions and opens new possibilities for audio reproduction.
You see, there has never before been a component offering such a rich palette
of both new and proven technology. Bold statements? Read on.

Introducing the NAD C 658

Redefining the Architecture of Hi-Fi Playback

As we move deeper into the 21st Century the way music is
distributed and enjoyed continues to evolve away from physical media to
streaming. It also has moved away from analog to digital. The C 658 has
incorporated these fundamental truths to create an entirely new type of
component that combines a Network Streamer, a state-of-the art DAC, and many
aspects of the traditional Preamplifier into a single highly cost effective
package. And thanks to NAD’s exclusive Modular Design Construction, it will
keep pace with the latest technology, not yet introduced, but inevitably coming
in the future. In fact, an optional HDMI 4k switcher module is available now
allowing the best sound from any of the many HDMI sources available (like game
consoles and video STBs). While the C 658 immediately replaces (or adds) your
Streamer, DAC, and Preamp, it also adds many new features you may not be aware
of, like a Bluetooth aptX HD transmitter to use with your wireless headphones.
The highly flexible outputs allow for a true balanced connection to powered
speakers or amplifiers. Single-ended connections for amplifiers and subwoofers
are also provided and include an adjustable subwoofer crossover executed
perfectly in the digital domain. A highly sophisticated MM Phono input is also
included along with line inputs for legacy analog components.

BluOS™ Enabled

Also on board is BluOS, the most sophisticated High Res
streaming system available. BluOS natively supports over 15 streaming music
services and indexing of over 250,000 tracks from local network sources. The C
658 becomes a node in the BluOS ecosystem allowing high res network streaming
to 64 zones and control options for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS phones,
tablets, and desk top devices. BluOS also supports all major smart home
controllers and is available in a wide range of products making it easy to
create a whole house audio system with the C 658 at its heart.

Traditional NAD Performance and Value

The C 658 is part of our Classic Series of components which
have an enviable reputation for giving Music Lovers more enjoyment for less
money. If you want a solid block of hand–crafted aluminum with gold plated
accents you’ll need to look elsewhere. If you want state-of-the-art performance
and features in a sturdy no-nonsense package then you have the right address.

High Resolution in Every Detail

Most NAD components have been High Res for 45 years with
very wide bandwidth, low distortion, and ultra-low noise. We just never had
High Res source material to play. With High Res digital recording and
streaming, combined with advanced technology like MQA, record companies 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 Sabre 32bit DAC , one of the best
performing DACs on the market today with its 118dB Dynamic Range and incredibly
low jitter spec. All preamp functions are executed in the digital domain
including the same wide range non-truncating digital volume control used in our
Masters Series components. This offers an incredibly short analog signal path
that, rather uniquely, is identical for all volume settings. Sophisticated
active power supplies provide super clean voltages to all circuits 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
feature 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 is corrected, the result is magical. You have
never heard your speakers sound this invisible or this good!

^{*Note: The C 658 includes a license for Dirac Live with
the option for advanced users to upgrade to a Dirac Live Full Frequency
version.}

Master Quality Authenticated

Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is a revolutionary
end-to-end technology built into every BluOS Enabled amplifier to capture and
deliver MQA music to your speakers in the purest quality. All BluOS Enabled
players and systems include a powerful decoder and audio renderer for the
millions of the MQA encoded songs, The MQA logo shown in the BluOS app
indicates that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and lets
you know that you are hearing exactly what the artist recorded and approved in
the studio.

FEATURES & DETAILS

• BluOS
  Network Streaming with MQA Decoding

• ESS
  Sabre DAC

• Dirac
  Live Room Correction*

• Gigabit
  Ethernet

• Dual
  Band Wi-Fi ac/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 Out

• USB
  socket for adding optional wireless output module

• IR In
  with Learning Function

• Trigger
  Out/In

^{*These features will be implemented via future software
upgrades. Note: The C 658 will include a license for Dirac Live with the option
for advanced users to upgrade to a Dirac Live Full Frequency version.}

LINE INPUT, PRE-OUT

• THD
  (20Hz – 20kHz)

• <0.005%
  at 2V out

• Signal-to-Noise
  Ratio

• >106dB
  (IHF; A-weighted, ref. 500mV out, unity gain)

• Channel
  separation

• >80dB
  (1kHz)

• 
  >70dB (10kHz)

• Input
  impedance (R and C)

• 22
  kohms + 100pF

• Maximum
  input signal

• >4.5Vrms
  (ref. 0.1% THD)

• Output
  impedance

• Source
  Z + 240 Ohm

• Input
  sensitivity

• 93mV
  (ref. 500mV out, Volume maximum)

• Frequency
  response

• ±0.3dB
  (20Hz – 20kHz)

• Maximum
  voltage output – IHF load

• >4.5V
  (ref. 0.1% THD)

• Tone
  Controls Treble

• >±7.0dB
  at 20kHz; Bass: ±7.0dB at 60Hz; Balance: -10dB

PHONO INPUT, AUDIO PRE-OUT

• THD
  (20Hz – 20kHz)

• <0.01%
  at 2V out

• Signal-to-Noise
  Ratio

• >84dB
  (200 Ohm source; A-weighted, ref. 500mV out)

• 
  >76dB (MM cartridge source, IHF; A-weighted, ref. 500mV out)

• Input
  sensitivity

• 1.44mV
  (ref. 500mV out, Volume maximum)

• Frequency
  response

• >±0.3dB
  (20Hz – 20kHz)

• Maximum
  input signal at 1kHz

• >80mVrms
  (ref. 0.1% THD)

LINE INPUT, HEADPHONE OUT

• THD
  (20Hz – 20kHz)

• <0.005%
  at 1V out

• Signal-to-Noise
  Ratio

• >110dB
  (32 Ohms loads; A-WTD, ref. 2V out, unity gain)

• Frequency
  response

• ±0.3dB
  (20Hz – 20kHz)

• Channel
  separation

• >>60dB
  at 1kHz

• 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 the 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 to current Windows Operating
  Systems and Mac OS X versions

• User
  interface mobile operating system

• 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 Paradise

• Bluetooth
  quality

• Bluetooth
  aptX HD wireless built-in

• Bluetooth
  connectivity

• Two-Way
  (Transmit and Receive)

• Network
  connectivity

• Gigabit
  Ethernet RJ45

• 
  WiFi 5 (802.11 ac/n)

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

• Dimensions
  (W x H x D)**

• 435 x
  100 x 405mm (17 1/8 x 3 15/16 x 16)

• Shipping
  Weight

• 10.1kg (22.3lb)