NAD C 538

NAD C 538 CD player

NAD is known for great sounding products at affordable prices – and nowhere is this more evident than with our CD players. Even the entry-level model, the C 538, has a robust and precise drive that can play standard CDs as well as CR-R and CD-RW CDs you have burned yourself, as well as MP3 and WMA audio files. A high-resolution 24-bit digital-to-analog converter from English electronics specialist Wolfson prepares the signals for the analog high-level output.

For over 45 years, NAD has been making great sounding products at affordable prices. This is especially true for CD players. Because especially with CD players, the veterans among the NAD developers know exactly what they have to do to get even more out of an audio CD. Because a lot comes together in a CD player: Mechanics as well as analogue and digital technology. Each parameter has an effect on the tonal result and requires the greatest attention during development.

In order to avoid interference from external vibrations and to enable the precise insertion of the drive, a solid housing and mechanical production that is as precise as possible are necessary, for example. This is the only way to achieve maximum smoothness and minimize the number of read errors. Molds made of low-resonance plastic and steel are therefore used for the best performance. The drive is mounted on hardened steel rails and the entire construction of the player is supported by over 30 links to ensure maximum stability.

A Wolfson 24-bit D/A converter chip ensures the absolutely linear conversion of the precisely clocked PCM data stream into an analogue waveform. Op amps buffer the output signal without adding distortion or noise. A well thought-out circuit design with very short signal paths is possible through the use of circuit boards with several levels and the use of SMD technology. Each component is powered by a dedicated power supply, so analog and digital circuitry, drive and display are separately powered with the appropriately regulated voltage. The result of the painstaking design is an absolutely natural, dynamic and detailed sound.
The C 538 can also play CD-R discs. Thus, for example, MP3 CDs compiled on the computer can be played with up to 10 hours of playback time. Perfect for any party! The C 538 is equipped with an optical and a coaxial digital connection for connection to an external D/A converter or AV receiver.