Before you get your knickers in a twist and start complaining that the new NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer is nothing but a Bluesound NODE without the touch panel and fancy control app — take a quick look at the price. Smile and be very grateful.
Not only does the $349 (USD) NAD CS1 offer everything you might need to add hi-res streaming to any integrated amplifier, receiver, or pair of powered loudspeakers, but it is very easy to setup and offers support for all of the major streaming platforms that matter to audiophiles.
If you own the NAD C316BEE V2 (that would be me) Integrated Amplifier and were looking for a high-end network streamer for under $350 that could turn the award-winning amplifier into a killer system — the CS1 is what you have been waiting for.
Employing audiophile-grade components, the NAD CS1 can play high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. It features 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.
Certification for network sharing via DNLA/UPnP protocols expected to be complete with retail available of CS1 in March 2023. That means listeners don’t have to install a dedicated app to use the CS1; they can control playback with the music apps they use every day.
Options Upon Options
There are many ways to play music through the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer. Listeners can use Bluetooth to pair the CS1 with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The CS1 offers many options for playing music over a home network.
Listeners can use AirPlay 2 to stream CD-resolution audio from any app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or from an iTunes library 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.
Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect users can cue up music in the apps for those services, then easily transfer playback to the CS1. Roon subscribers can play music from their digital libraries and from streaming services with resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Audiophile-Grade Sound
The NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer delivers the audio performance for which NAD is renowned. It features an advanced differential digital section based on Texas Instruments’ PCM5141 DAC, a design known for its extremely low noise, excellent dynamic performance, and immunity to clock jitter. It also has full MQA rendering and decoding capability for playing master quality music from Tidal.
Flexible Connectivity
Users can connect the CS1 to their home network via Wi-Fi or hardwire its LAN Ethernet port to their network router. The CS1 has a pair of RCA analogue outputs for connection to a stereo receiver, integrated amp, preamplifier, or a pair of powered speakers.
The CS1 also has optical and coaxial outputs for sending digital audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution to powered loudspeakers with digital inputs, or to a home theatre receiver or external DAC.
“Streaming has profoundly altered the way people discover and experience music,” said Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager of NAD Electronics. “The CS1 makes it easy to add streaming to a legacy stereo or home-theatre setup. Or someone could configure a low-footprint system for a den or home office by combining the CS1 with a pair of powered speakers. Streaming doesn’t get simpler than this.”
Key Features
- Compact, minimalist design
- Built-in Bluetooth 5.0
- Dual-band Wi-Fi plus LAN Ethernet port
- Support for network sharing via DLNA/UPnp* protocols
- Stereo analogue, optical digital, and coaxial digital outputs
- Premium differential DAC design based on Texas Instruments PCM5141 DAC, with support for 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio and MQA decoding
- Apple AirPlay 2 support allows CD-resolution streaming from any audio app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- GoogleCast support allows playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution from any Cast-enabled app on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer
- Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect support lets users cue up music on a smart device, then transfer playback to the CS1
- Roon subscribers can stream audio to the CS1 from their personal libraries and online services supported by Roon in hi-res
Price & Availability
The NAD CS1 will be available in retail shops and NADElectronics.com with a retail target price of US $349 / CDN $499 in March 2023.
BradleyP
January 25, 2023 at 3:24 pm
I’m a Qobuz fan but not an Airplay fan. What’s the best way, I wonder, to make it work with the CS1 until Qobuz connect appears on the scene. Anybody know?
Ian White
January 25, 2023 at 3:28 pm
Bradley,
Roon, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.0, and Chromecast will all work. Chromecast now allows you to stream Qobuz at 24-bit/96kHz.
Best,
Ian White
Terry K
January 28, 2023 at 4:38 am
Either of Wiim’s streaming products (Mini, Pro) support gapless playback at 24/192 with Qobuz for right around $100. My Mini works flawlessly with Qobuz and has allowed me to finally retire my Chromecast Audio. Wiim supports all of the major high-res streaming services.
Henry Succop
February 4, 2023 at 2:22 pm
“the new NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer is nothing but a Bluesound NODE without the touch panel and fancy control app” and my knickers aren’t in a twist. I always go commando.
If I order one from NAD will they ship it directly to Audio Science Review or do I have to receive it first?
Ian White
February 4, 2023 at 3:50 pm
Henry,
We will have our review sample soon. Will ASR even listen to it? Or just measure it?
Ian White
Nathan Christian
January 26, 2023 at 4:08 am
Pretty psyched for this. I’ve been relying on a Chromecast audio dongle for years to stream from Plex. The chromecast audio is getting long in the tooth and DAC is pretty mediocre. This looks great.
Larry H
January 26, 2023 at 9:53 pm
I’m a Qobuz user, so I’ll share with you how I solved connecting to Qobuz. First, I don’t believe that Qobuz has any intention of doing something like Tidal Connect from speaking with support. Why? Audirvana solved that issue for them with Studio. If you connect to Qobuz via a PC and then to a DAC, adding Studio is dead simple and cheap $7/month. Their mobile apps provide Roon-like capability from any mobile device. I use it with IOS and Android and it just works.
If you aren’t using a PC and your amp/receiver has an optical port buy a Wiim Mini. I’ve tested this in my system and it’s 99% as good as my Studio/iFi DAC combination. And for around $90, it’s a steal as provides gapless Hi-Res up to 24/192.
Bluetooth is not Hi-Res, and neither is AirPlay or Chromecast.
Paul B
January 27, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Octavio Stream is also a very good alternative, since they integrate Qobuz perfectly in their app.