NAD C 538 Compact Disc Player

CD Player That Sounds Detailed and Natural, with Dramatic Dynamic Contrasts

For over 45 years, NAD Electronics has earned a renowned reputation for creating great sounding products at amazingly affordable prices, and nowhere is this more evident than in NAD's CD players. When it comes to CD players, NAD's veteran engineers know exactly where to spend just a little extra money for a better-quality part, in order to extract the absolute best sound from compact discs. CD players use mechanical, digital, and analog technology to produce sound, and all three forms of engineering greatly affect the end result and require careful design and engineering.

A Very Solid Mechanical Foundation

A solid mechanical foundation is paramount in reducing external vibration and providing precise location of the CD drive mechanism. This allows smooth operation and a minimum of tracking errors. Heavy gauge steel and non-resonant plastic moldings are carefully engineered to provide optimum results. The transport is mounted on reinforced steel rails and over 30 fasteners are used to lock the assembly together and maintain precise dimensional integrity.

Superior Engineering

Precise clocking of the digital data stream allows the Wolfson 24-bit DAC to provide accurate linearity for the PCM data conversion to analogue waveform. Audio OPAmps buffer the output without adding noise or distortion to the music. Multi-layer PCBs using surface mount components allow for an enhanced circuit layout with very short signal paths. Powering these elements is a custom designed active power supply that provides multiple regulated voltages to the transport, digital circuits, analog circuits, and the control and display circuits. The result of this careful engineering is a sound that is at once both detailed and natural, with dramatic dynamic contrasts.

Desirable Features Enhance Listening

The NAD C 538 includes many desirable features that enhance listening experiences. Front panel controls are duplicated on the hand held remote allowing Play, Pause, Skip, and Scan functions. In addition, many more features are available from the remote handset, such as Random: Tracks/files are played at random mode, Program: Enter or exit program mode, Repeat: Track, file, or whole disc is repeated, and RPT A-B: Playback sequence is repeated. The dimmable dot matrix display shows tracks, total playing time. Track time, disc time, and remaining time are all available.

The C 538 can also play CD-R discs, allowing you to play customized CD's burned from your computer. Because these songs are encoded in MP3 or WMA, you can fit up to 10 hours of music on a single disc which is perfect for party mixes or ambient listening. There are also both optical and coaxial digital outputs that allow connection to an external DAC or digital component (like an AVR) to provide the most efficient and best sounding system setups.

Product Features

Plays CD/CD-R/CD-RW
Supports MP3/WMA playback
Wolfson High Spec 24/192 DAC
Stereo Analog Output
Coaxial and Optical Digital Outputs
IR Remote
Programmed playback
Random Playback
Repeat: Track, File, Folder, All, A-B
Time Display: CD - Elapsed/remaining playback time of current track, disc remaining playback time
Time Display: MP3/WMA - Song Title, Artist Name, Album Name, elapsed playback time of current file

Product Specs

Output level: Analog: 2.2 ± 0.1 V
Frequency response: ±0.5 dB (ref. 0 dB 20 Hz-20 kHz)
Total harmonic distortion: ≤0.01% (ref. 1 kHz, Audio LPF)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: ≥110 dB (ref. 1 kHz, A-weighted )
Channel balance: ±0.5 dB (ref. 0dB 1kHz)
Channel separation: ≥90 dB (ref. 1 kHz)
De-emphasis: -4.6 ±0.8 dB (ref. 0dB 1 kHz, 5 kHz); -9.0 ±1.0 dB (ref. 0dB 1 kHz, 16 kHz)
Standby power: <0.5W
Idle power: <7.5W
Dimensions: 17-3/16 x 2-13/16 x 9-13/16 inches
Weight: 6.6 lbs.

Product Warranty

2 Years

Parts & Labor

NAD Electronics Warranty Information

Audio Advisor occasionally has fantastic deals on clearance items that are in excellent condition and we happen to have just one or two of.

Demo: Photo samples, gear we auditioned, items returned for wrong color/wrong size, etc.

Open Box: Contents briefly examined or inspected for promotional or internal purposes

Factory Refreshed: Original-condition items repackaged by the manufacturer

Cosmetically Blemished: A few dings or scratches, but functionally in original condition

Used: May show some signs of use

All clearance products are carefully inspected by our technicians before we offer the item for sale. All clearance products except Used items come with the original manufacturer warranty and are guaranteed to work and sound like new.

RETURN POLICY & PROCESS

NOTE:
You may only return a product purchased within 60-days of the receipt date.
The product must be in like-new condition and shipped in the original packaging (So SAVE THOSE BOXES!!!)

Call 1-800-942-0220 to request an RMA number.
Print the RMA number on the return shipping label.
Please make sure the return shipping name and address are written in a note on the inside.
Ship package to…

Audio Advisor Returns
5500 Executive Parkway SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(PRINT YOUR RMA NUMBER HERE)

NOTE: If a coupon was used in the ordering process, then the final value (recorded during payment) will be the price refunded.

Returned products are inspected by our warehouse and refunds are issued within 24 hours of inspection. Please note: it may take 7-10 business days for your bank to show the refunded amount. If you do not see it then, please reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-942-0220.

Audio Advisor will ship products anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories.