NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer - Flexible Streaming Solution away from BluOS

The NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer is a simple way to add streaming to almost any audio system. This is the promise of the Canadian hi-fi manufacturer NAD Electronics, which even promises the highest quality – the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer literally speaks of audiophile-grade streaming. This is supposed to be possible via the most important standards, be it UPnP, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect. In addition, and this is not insignificant, the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer is Roon-ready.

NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer – audiophile-grade streaming

What NAD Electronics exactly means by audiophile-grade streaming is specified by the company as signal processing up to 24 bits and 192 kHz, whereby the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer is supposed to rely on a so-called Advanced Differential Digital Section based on a TI PCM5141 DAC from Texas Instruments. According to NAD Electronics, special emphasis has been placed on particularly low noise, minimal distortion and maximum dynamic range. The NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer can, of course, also play back content encoded in MQA, whereas DSD is unfortunately not supported.

Foto © NAD Electronics | NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer

No BluOS

It is really astonishing that NAD Electronics does not use its own BluOS streaming technology for the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer. However, this does not mean that this solution lacks flexibility, because as we already briefly explained, essentially all relevant streaming technologies are supported here.

For example, the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer is designed as a dlna-certified UPnP streaming client, the only actual industry standard in the field of audio streaming, we mentioned in passing.

In addition, the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer understands Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect. Furthermore, according to the manufacturer, it should have already passed the certification of Roon Labs LLC. as Roon-ready for the market launch.

Foto © NAD Electronics | NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer

All relevant interfaces

It is worth mentioning that the new NAD CS1 can be integrated into the network via WiFi and cable. As audio interfaces, an RCA pair is available for analogue signals, but the NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer can also be used as a pure streaming transport and has an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface as digital outputs. Central control with other components is possible via a 12 V trigger, and power is supplied via a USB-C interface with 5 V and 1 A.

Bluetooth 5.0

It should not go unmentioned that the new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer also has Bluetooth, whereby the Bluetooth 5.0 module is used in this case to be able to use smartphones and tablets directly as a source.

Foto © NAD Electronics | NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer

“Streaming has fundamentally changed the way people discover and experience music. The CS1 makes it easy to add streaming to an existing stereo or home theatre system. Or someone could configure a space-saving system for a study or home office by combining the CS1 with a pair of powered speakers. Streaming couldn’t be simpler.”

Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager, NAD Electronics

Pricing and availability

The new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer is scheduled for release in March 2023, according to the manufacturer. The recommended retail price is listed at € 399,-.

Getting to the point

The new NAD CS1 Network Audio Streamer is supposed to be a particularly flexible, compact and affordable solution to expand any audio system with hi-res audio streaming. Interestingly, the Canadian hi-fi manufacturer NAD Electronics does not use its own BluOS streaming platform, which is quite surprising. Nevertheless, UPnP, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect are available and a certification as Roon-ready is not missing.