NAD C 558 User Manual

NAD C 558 Turntable

NAD Electronics has a long history of offering high performance turntables at
unbelievably great prices. We continually strive for that sweet spot where you get 90%
of the ultimate available performance for only 10% of the price. A product that critical
listeners can applaud for its musical quality, and one that almost anybody can afford.
This is the NAD C 558.

SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY

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While most of the world has focused on digital technology, there has been a quiet
revolution of understanding and refinement in the analogue turntable design. On the one
hand the task is very simple; spin the platter at precisely 33.3 RPM without any variation,
and perfectly track the grooves of the record while giving the cartridge a solid platform
that allows all the energy in the record to be translated into stylus motion of the
cartridge. We don’t want the energy to ‘leak’ into vibrating the tonearm or the platter;
we want it all to become pure musical energy bursting forth from your speakers.

To this end we use a sophisticated power supply that transforms the AC alternating
voltage of your wall socket into a pure DC voltage. We then regenerate the DC voltage
into a precise AC voltage that powers a precision clock motor to achieve nearly perfect
speed consistency and smoothness. The motor is isolated from noise and voltage
fluctuations that occur in the raw 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.

FEATURES & DETAILS

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Belt Driven Turntable 33/45

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10mm Glass Plater with Felt Pad

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Precision AC Motor

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Isolated AC Power Supply with

Universal Voltage

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9” Tonearm with Fixed Head Shell

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Ortofon OM10 Cartridge Preinsatalled

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Vertical Tracking Angle and

Azimuth Adjustment

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Rigid MDF Plinth with Rubber

Isolation Feet

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Low Resonance Dustcover

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Detachable High Quality RCA Cable

with separate Ground

Our 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
stabilize 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 vibrations.

QUALITY PARTS AND MATERIALS

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO ENJOY VINYL

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The plinth is solid MDF, not the particle board or plastic typically
found at this price, and is CNC machined for precision. Our
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.

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 precision 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.