NAD has launched a new CD player called the C 589. The new C 589 CD player is a member of NAD's Classic product line and features technology adopted from MQA Labs. Analog signals are output via RCA and XLR. The C 589 also has digital outputs, but no inputs.
Many music lovers, as well as young people, want to hold something tangible in their hands containing music, i.e., a vinyl record or an optical disc like the good old CD (CD = Compact Disc). Yes, streaming is convenient, but physical discs cannot be pushed off the market after all these years and still have a right to exist. Devices for playing physical media therefore still have a right to exist as well. There are hundreds of millions of CDs in circulation waiting to be played. Enter the NAD C 589.
However, the C 589 CD player also features QRONO d2a processing, a digital audio technology developed by MQA Labs, which was acquired by Lenbrook , the parent company of NAD, following its bankruptcy.
Although the DA converter is reportedly built around a top-class design by ESS and is engineered to deliver low noise, low distortion, and excellent dynamic range, NAD has placed QRONO d2a at the center of the C 589. This digital audio technology, developed by MQA Labs and implemented by NAD, is said to employ a more accurate time-domain solution to preserve crucial timing information in the audio signal.
According to the designers, the result is improved clarity, sharper imaging, and a more natural musical flow, especially with recordings rich in acoustic details and spatial nuances. NAD claims that with QRONO, CD playback sounds smoother, more precise, and more lifelike.
The CD drive of the C 589 is reportedly designed for smooth, quiet, and reliable operation. Furthermore, the high-quality loader and laser pickup ensure accurate disc tracking and stable playback of a wide range of CDs.
The C 589's DA converter is designed to preserve fine musical details while simultaneously limiting noise and distortion to a minimum, according to the manufacturer. The result should be a clear, transparent sound that allows recordings to retain their natural character.
The C 589 features a balanced XLR output and an RCA output for connection to integrated amplifiers or preamplifiers, while AES/EBU, coaxial, and optical digital outputs enable the player to function as a CD transport for an external DA converter.
The front panel features a large display showing information about the artist and the track, if available on the inserted disc. An IR remote control is included.
The NAD C 589 has a recommended retail price of just under 1,600 euros.
