NAD C 568 CD Player

NAD C 568 CD Player

The C 568 takes the superb performance of NAD’s 5-star rated C 546BEE and steps it up to the next level. Every aspect of sonic performance is enhanced and refined, making the C 568 the ideal companion to the C 368 amplifier, or any system in need of a performance upgrade.

The C 568 replaces NAD’s venerable C 546BEE. With the worldwide acclaim and numerous awards for outstanding performance and value, it is fair to ask why NAD would “mess with success.” theless, NAD has never rested on its laurels; rather development is ongoing at the NAD Lab and new models are launched when they feel a significant improvement has been achieved. Such is the case with the C 568. Besides the new more refined cosmetics, the circuit layout and component choices have been extensively updated. The cumulative effect of these changes is dramatic, improving low frequency slam and extension, while maintaining the pace and timing for which the C 546BEE was so lavishly praised. Image depth and scale are further enhanced while retaining the timbral accuracy and lucid harmonic structure of its predecessor.

Features and Circuitry

Creating one’s own favourite compilation CD-R and CD-RW’s on a CD ripper is becoming ever more popular, and unlike older CD players, the C 568 will easily play these discs, even those encoded with MP3 and WMA compression. Nearly 10 hours of music can be recorded onto one CD-R when using 128kps compression allowing ‘all day’ background music listening. NAD have included a number of additional features to make your listening more enjoyable: RANDOM gives the listener a random selection of all tracks on the disc in play, and REPEAT allows repeat playing of either the entire disc or individual tracks. Individual tracks can be quickly accessed using the SKIP function (Forward and Back), and the SCAN function (Forward and Back) gives an aural précis of individual tracks, giving the listener the opportunity to reach specific sections of the track.

The Vacuum Fluorescent Display provides clear and understated, yet comprehensive information to the listener. The track number is displayed, and for those who regularly record CDs, the button displays the current time elapsed or remaining for complete CDs or individual tracks.

Not all digital outputs are equal. In the case of the NAD C 568, careful attention has been paid so that best use can be made of the ever-increasing number of products now available with digital inputs (outboard D to A converters, AV Receivers, etc.). The coaxial output is buffered and isolated by a transformer from the converter itself, and the output impedance has been carefully tailored to produce a precise 75 ohms impedance to ensure perfect matching. This attention to detail reduces the timing errors (jitter) that could otherwise distort the digital data stream. An optical Toslink output is also provided allowing connection to devices that only provide this option.

The Model C 568 comes supplied with the new NAD CD-8 full function remote control, offering all of the features described above from the comfort of your listening chair. On top of that, the remote control handset gives you direct track access and programming facilities as well, saving the user’s time when they’re storing preferred song titles. Up to 20 tracks can be programmed, with the ability to delete tracks without using the program function by simply using the DELETE key.

Separate power regulators for the digital and analogue sections isolate the two electrically, reducing interference effects. Furthermore, careful layout of the PCB tracks around the Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC) helps to contain RF radiation and interference. The 24-bit high resolution Wolfson WM8741 DAC chip was chosen for its excellent low-level linearity and detail retrieving capabilities. A high-precision Crystek Clock Module reduces digital jitter to unprecedented levels for an affordable CD Player and makes it a great platform for adding an exotic high-end DAC. Metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors are used in key areas to ensure a highly accurate frequency response. Studio-quality LM4562 op-amps are used instead of the much lower grade and type used in lesser players. Apart from the single-film type output capacitor, no other capacitors are used in the signal path. The output impedance is very low at 150 ohms, making the NAD C 568 less sensitive to cables or the ancillary equipment it is partnered with.

We urge you to listen to the NAD C 568 with a wide range of program material and with the best ancillary equipment to fully appreciate the refinement of this modest looking – and inexpensive by high-end standards – CD player. You can spend a lot more money for a CD player, but we think you’ll have a difficult task finding a more musically complete and rewarding performance than that offered by the NAD C 568.

A new benchmark has been set.