NAD CS1 Endpoint Bluetooth Network Streamer

Product Information

Peter Gabriel’s latest single ‘So Much (The Dark Side Mix)’ is simpler music, initially just him on vocals and a piano. Yet there were still differences between the streamers, the WiiM having greater clarity, a slight smear removed from the sound. If you’ve ever tried a Raspberry Pi with and without a good external power supply you’ll recognise the improvement. The CS1 sounded as if it was having to try harder (like the guys coming second to Usain Bolt in all those sprints).

Stereo analogue, optical digital, and coaxial digital outputs offer diversified connection possibilities to your music devices. On the one hand, this app-free approach is kind of refreshing. No app means no messing around with settings or complicated menus, and no real data-logging concerns. You don’t even have to worry about performing firmware updates because the CS1 manages these automatically as soon as you’ve connected it to your network. You’ll need a (third-party) app for that In my listening tests, I described two real-world use cases for the CS1. I can think of many others. For audiophiles who use Roon to stream music to a Roon Ready component in their primary systems, the CS1 is an easy way to add Roon capability to a secondary system in another room. You could combine the CS1 with a headphone amplifier and set of high-end cans to create a low-footprint system for private listening. If your music consumption has revolved around physical media, but you want to add streaming capability, the CS1 will let you do that easily and inexpensively. Apple AirPlay 2 support allows CD-resolution streaming from any audio app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac Today, NAD Electronics, a well-respected manufacturer of top-notch audio-video components, introduced the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer. This streamer has a conservative, pared-down design and is designed to simplify the addition of wireless streaming ability to any music system. CS1 FrontThose already in possession of an external DAC – either fully outboard or located inside an integrated amplifier, home theatre receiver or a pair of powered loudspeakers – can make use of the CS1’s coaxial and TOSLINK outputs where PCM up to 24bit/192kHz is supported. To be clear, the differences weren’t large, you had to listen for them. Once heard they couldn’t be unheard though. With strict endpoint streamers, like the CS1, if you begin playing music from your Apple Music app over AirPlay 2, that music will stop the moment you leave the house, because it’s being controlled by your phone, not the CS1. 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. Premium differential DAC design based on Texas Instruments PCM5142 DAC, with support for 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio

This license is effective until terminated. You may terminate it at any time by giving NAD written notice to that effect. NAD may terminate it if you fail to comply with this Agreement by giving you notice. Upon termination you will destroy the program or documentation and all copies you have made of them. In addition upon termination you will have no recourse against NAD for your inability to use the program or accompanying documentation. EXCLUSIONS AND WARRANTIES This makes my job really hard. You’d probably like to know what it’s like to use the CS1, but the truth is, it totally depends on what you’re trying to do with it, and the platform/app/streaming protocol you’ve chosen to use. End of the line for endpoints NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer (top) and Wiim Pro Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

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I’m not a candidate for a component like the CS1. I use Roon for almost all of my listening at home. The KEF LS60 Wireless active speaker system in my living room and the Q Acoustics Q Active 200 system in my home office are both Roon Ready; and they also support AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. So for this review, I took a different approach. I listened to the CS1 through the systems of people I thought could benefit from such a product—specifically, my in-laws Paul and Petrea, and my brother and his wife, Ian and Roberta. With this methodology, I wasn’t going to be able to determine the CS1’s innate sonic characteristics—whatever they happen to be. What I was listening for were sonic differences between using the CS1 and other ways of playing audio through their systems.

Genuine Audiophiles, Not Salesmen: We aren’t just in this for sales. We're in it for the love of sound, and to enhance your auditory experiences. A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. Again, the differences weren’t huge. For those wanting only a digital-output streamer the WiiM takes the honours though. But then the CS1 would have had to go some to overcome the WiiM Pro’s lower cost and Linkplay streaming software anyway. And so to listening. I started with CS1 and WiiM’s digital outputs playing via the coax input of the DAC in the ‘Big Rig*’ system . The aim being to really highlight any differences between the streamers. Premium differential DAC design based on the superior Texas Instruments PCM5141 DAC, enhancing the quality of sound reproduction with support for high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.The NAD CS1 is simple network streamer that will add streaming capability to most hi-fi amplifiers either via it’s analogue RCA or digital outputs. It offers great value for money and superb sound quality.