Hi-Res Audio. Sounds good right? Still, most people are content to listen to normal-resolution audio on streaming services or through a physical format like CD or vinyl. These people are completely unaware that there is an opportunity to go high resolution.
Many of the best music streaming services offer Hi-Res Audio on top of this from their standard (uncompressed CD quality) and compressed (reduced quality) streams. On certain services, Tidal for example, you'll need to pay a premium price to access a high-resolution tier, while others like Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited include it in their standard price plan. Others though, we're pointing fingers at you, Spotify, don't offer hi-res audio in the slightest!
Accessing Hi-Res Audio isn't exactly a walk in the park, but now it's gotten a bit easier. The new CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer from Canadian company NAD Electronics is a solid device you can add to your stereo or home theater system to take advantage of high-resolution audio offerings on music streaming services. Simply plug it in, connect it to your built-in receiver or amplifier, connect it to your home Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet network, and you're ready to rock.
The affordable CS1 (US euros349 / €299 / CDN euros499) supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay for streaming. But what looks really great is that you can use Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect to stream directly and monitor playback using the Tidal and Spotify apps. MQA support is built in to enable playback of high-res teacher-quality music from Tidal, and the CS1 is a full stop for Roon. You'll also be able to use Chromecast to listen to music from compatible apps, and the CS1 will do it from there, streaming tracks in standard or hi-res format to its 5141-bit/192kHz-capable Texas Instruments PCMXNUMX DAC.
In terms of connections, the CS1 has RCA analog outputs and optical and coaxial digital outputs. Analog jacks allow connection to a wide range of equipment old and new, while digital outputs allow connection to the latest generation of powered speakers or even a sound bar system.
Analysis: Hi-Res Audio doesn't have to be expensive or complicated
There are inexpensive ways to access high-res music, but many of these options allow you to listen with headphones. And while there's nothing wrong with seeking audio bliss through the best way of headphones, some people, like me for example, prefer to listen to music using a good stereo speaker plus an amp setup over the previous one. .
The high-end audio market is full of integrated amplifiers capable of streaming high-resolution audio over a Wi-Fi network from compatible services like Tidal or Qobuz. But many of these components are expensive and also require the use of a custom brand-specific app to facilitate streaming, and some apps do this job much better than others.
Music enthusiasts looking to add Hi-Res Audio and streaming capabilities to an existing stereo setup that lacks these features may find their options limited. A good option is the Node Streaming DAC from NAD's sister company, Bluesound. The Node offers all the same features as the CS1, but adds analog input, HDMI eARC output, and most importantly, app-based control using the company's nifty BluOS control app. But while Bluesound Node is clearly worth it considering everything it does, at $XNUMX / $XNUMX / $XNUMX CDN still costs more than many people will want to spend.
For those folks, the lower-cost CS1 will appear to be a more affordable option for adding Hi-Res Audio and streaming capabilities to an existing system. Of course, you won't be able to use the BluOS control app used in the company's more expensive streaming-enabled products, but not everyone will need the high level of functionality the app provides (multiroom streaming to multiple components, for our sake). An example). With the CS1, you can fire up Tidal on your phone, hit play, and you're ready to hit the hi-res.
NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer is going to be free in March.