Description

Throughout our rich 45-year history, NAD Electronics has been offering high performance turntables at unbelievably stellar prices. An affordable component that critical listeners can applaud for its musical quality, the NAD C 558 is a full-featured, belt-driven model targeted for vinyl enthusiasts everywhere. Pre-fitted with an Ortofon OM10 phono cartridge, the C 558 features a belt drive for maximum noise isolation, as well as a precision AC motor with isolated AC power supply that has universal voltage. Complimented by a glass platter with felt pad, a MDF plinth, and a low resonance dust cover, the C 558 delivers an outstanding listening experience unlike any other.

Sophisticated Technology

When it comes to the C 558, we have chosen to use a sophisticated power supply that transforms the AC alternating voltage of your wall socket into a pure DC voltage. The DC voltage is then regenerated into a precise AC voltage that powers a precision clock motor to achieve nearly perfect speed consistency and smoothness. The motor itself is isolated from noise and voltage fluctuations that occur in the unfiltered AC mains that can cause instability in the motor. The motor uses a specially developed rubber belt that is flat ground for precision and drives a non-resonant sub platter that is also precisely machined for smooth rotation. This sits in a brass bearing with a hardened steel shaft. All of these parts are carefully developed to work together to provide a remarkably stable and precise rotation of the disc.

The C 558’s tonearm also offers a similar level of careful engineering and development. At 9” long it offers low tracking distortion while maintaining rigidity and low mass required to stabilise the cartridge. By allowing VTF and Azimuth adjustment we get precise tracking with low distortion and record wear.

The glass platter and massive plinth combine to extract all the energy from the disc while isolating unwanted external vibration. These details further ensure that your vinyl listening experience is truly transcendent.

Quality Parts and Materials

The plinth of the C 558 is solid MDF, as opposed to the particle board or plastic that is commonly found at this value, and is CNC machined for precision. The C 558’s dustcover, too, is heavier than most and made from a non-resonant Perspex with a counter-sprung hinge design that allows the cover to remain in almost any intermediate position from open to closed.

An Experience Like No Other

Listening to vinyl records is an immersive experience. You become as involved in the process as you do in the listening. To a much greater degree than with digital sources, vinyl playback requires solid mechanical accuracy to extract the music from the medium. A properly played record is a fantastic and rewarding experience, and the NAD C 558 has everything you need to get maximum enjoyment with minimal fuss and expense.

Product highlights:

Heavy glass platter with felt mat provides excellent speed stability
High-precision stainless steel and bronze bearing assembly for smooth, quiet platter rotation
9" high grade aluminium tonearm
Includes pre-mounted Ortofon OM10 moving magnet cartridge
Isolated DC synchronous motor for reduced vibration and superior speed stability
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) base with adjustable vibration-damping feet
Gold-plated RCA audio jacks with detachable phono cables
High-gloss black lacquer finish
Fully manual operation
33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds (manual speed change)
Speed variation: ±0.5%
Wow and flutter: ±0.15%
Frequency response (with included cartridge): 20-22,000 Hz (±3dB)
Requires a phono preamp or phono input on receiver or preamplifier