NAD C 569 CD Player with ESS DAC & QRONO d2a

The NAD C 569 is a CD player from NAD's Classic Series with an ESS Sabre DAC and QRONO d2a time-domain technology, positioned between the C538 and the C 589. Available from the end of November 2026, it adopts the more modern converter approach of the C 589, but does without its balanced XLR output.

Why the NAD C 569?

Because the silver disc is far from finished. The C 569 brings NAD's current QRONO d2a technology from the C 589 into a more affordable housing and shows that a good CD player still has its own sonic character in 2026 – calmer, more grounded than many streaming sources. If you have a grown CD collection or listen to MQA-CDs, this gives you a fresh, technically up-to-date source instead of a pure nostalgia device.

What you get

A CD drive with a full-metal tray, a colour display for track and CD-text information, and an ESS Sabre DAC that uses QRONO d2a time-domain correction to compensate for timing errors in the digital signal before they become audible. Plus digital outputs in case you want to connect the C 569 later as a pure transport to another DAC solution, and a standby consumption of under 0.5 watts.

Who is the NAD C 569 suited for? (and who isn't it for)

Plain talk: the C 569 is for anyone who still owns CDs and wants to give them a contemporary source that doesn't sound like a compromise. For pure streaming listeners without a CD collection, it isn't a must-buy – an NAD streamer is the better route there. If you already own an external DAC, you can also use the C 569 purely as a transport and still benefit from its solid drive mechanism.

Our verdict

The NAD C 569 is the logical middle of the NAD CD player line-up: more converter power than the C538, without paying extra for the C 589's XLR output. For most stereo systems with RCA inputs, that's entirely sufficient – and it clearly sounds like the same converter concept as the flagship.

Technical specifications

• Device type: CD player
• Digital-to-analogue converter: ESS ES9039Q2M Sabre DAC with QRONO d2a time-domain technology
• Playback formats: CD, CD-R/RW, MQA-CD
• Special features: Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH), gapless playback, CD-text display
• Analogue output: 1× RCA (stereo)
• Output level: fixed, 2.2 V ± 0.2 V
• Digital outputs: 1× coaxial, 1× optical (TOSLINK)
• Headphone output: not available
• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): ≤ 0.006% (1 kHz)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 110 dB (A-weighted)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (± 0.5 dB)
• Standby consumption: < 0.5 W
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 435 × 83 × 294 mm
• Weight: 4.2 kg
• What's included: remote control

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect the NAD C 569 to an external DAC?

Yes. Via the coaxial or optical digital output, you pass the CD signal through unprocessed to an external DAC. The internal ESS converter remains unused in that case – useful if you already own a high-quality converter or a preamp with its own DAC.

Does the NAD C 569 also play MQA-CDs and self-burned discs?

Yes, the C 569 fully decodes MQA-CDs and also reads CD-R/RW with MP3 or CD audio content. Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH) prevents audible clipping on particularly loud recordings.

Does the NAD C 569 have a headphone output?

No. The C 569 has no headphone jack and no adjustable output level – the analogue RCA output delivers a fixed line signal of 2.2 V for connecting to an amplifier or preamp.

How does the C 569 differ from the C538 and the C 589?

The C538 is the entry-level model with a Wolfson DAC, the C 589 the flagship with an additional XLR output. The C 569 sits in between in both price and sound: the same ESS Sabre DAC approach as the C 589, but with only an RCA output and no balanced connection.

Why buy the NAD C 569 at HD Zürisee?

At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil you can listen to the C 569 on a well-matched system before you take it home, and get advice on the right amplifier and speaker combination to go with it. As an authorised Dynavox dealer, we also take care of warranty and service on site.

Goes well with

A CD player alone doesn't make a system: take a look at our integrated amplifiers, for example from the NAD Classic Series, or discover the whole NAD range at HD Zürisee.