If you're looking for a way to add high quality streaming audio to your existing hi-fi or home cinema setup, NAD has you covered. The Canadian hi-fi legends have a new smart streamer, and it's surprisingly affordable: just £299/$349/€399.
The CS1 uses audiophile-grade components to deliver audio at up to 24-bit/192KHz, and it has pretty much every modern audio feature you'd want: Bluetooth 5.0, Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity; AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Root; MQA rendering and decoding; DLNA and UPnP.
No matter which service you prefer, the CS1 is designed to stream it in the best possible quality – and to stream your own digital library too.
What does the NAD CS1 connect to?
The CS1 connects to your home network via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable, and it has RCA analogue outputs so you can connect it to your amp, AV receiver or powered speakers. There are also optical and co-axial outputs for powered speakers with digital inputs, to home theatre receivers or to external DACs.
As you can see from the photo, there aren't any flashy touchscreens or other eye candy here. The CS1 has been designed to use your phone, tablet or computer as the controller: you can stream audio from any app on iPhone, iPad or Mac, from iTunes on a Windows PC or from any cast-enabled app or device.
The CS1 doesn't ship until March but it looks like a great upgrade for people who've built up seriously impressive audio systems over time: rather than replace perfectly good hi-fi hardware in order to get better connectivity, the CS1 is much like the Sonos Port: it adds streaming capabilities to your existing kit for a relatively low price.
-
Your Pixel phone just got the biggest update of the year – Android 16 rolling out nowGoogle has started to roll out the full Android 16 update to supported Pixel phones
-
Google's Android redesign is available to some already – just check your MessagesMaterial 3 Expressive is rolling out to different apps before the Android 16 launch
-
Google Pixel 10 launch date tipped and it's unlucky for someBut then again, it's not a Friday so maybe it'll be fine
-
Google Pixel 10 to be unveiled at a secret event that isn't so secret anymoreThe Pixel 10 will be previewed much sooner than expected
-
Google Photos getting a free feature update on Android – and it's coming to iPhone tooGoogle celebrates 10 years of Google Photos with new features and updates
-
Instagram blamed for Google Pixel battery woes – but there's a fixPixel owners have reported battery drain issues, but there's a simple explanation
-
Apple could simplify eSIM transfers from iPhone to Android soonSwitching between different platforms could be made easier in iOS 19
-
Google Pixel 10 advert leaks in the strangest way possibleGoogle's forthcoming flagship phone has been caught in action behind the scenes
