NAD C558 Belt-Drive Turntable with Ortofon OM10

The NAD C558 is a belt-drive turntable with a glass platter and a factory-mounted Ortofon OM10 cartridge.

Unbox, align, drop the needle – you won't get much closer to hassle-free record listening in this class.

Why the NAD C558?

The C558 does the right things in the right places. The chassis is CNC-milled, high-density MDF instead of chipboard or plastic – that calms resonances. The 10 mm glass platter runs on a flat precision belt, supported on hardened steel in a brass bushing. A separate switch-mode power supply keeps the motor cleanly away from the signal path. Solid engineering, not a decorative turntable.

What you get

Everything you need to get started is there from the factory: a 9-inch tonearm with integrated headshell, the pre-mounted Ortofon OM10 (MM), an RCA cable with a separate ground wire, and a low-resonance dust cover. Tracking force and azimuth can be adjusted by hand – if you like, you can coax out that last bit of precision. You select the 33 and 45 RPM speeds manually.

Who is the NAD C558 right for – and who isn't it for?

Ideal for getting into vinyl, or getting back into it, if you value solid mechanics over plastic. Plain talk: the C558 has no built-in phono preamp. So your amplifier needs a phono MM input – or you add a separate phono stage. Many NAD amplifiers (such as the C328, C338, C389) already come with the right input.

Our verdict

The C558 is an honest entry-level turntable with a grown-up foundation: good chassis, good cartridge, ready to go. Drop the needle and enjoy – there are no other hurdles.

Technical Specifications

• Device type: belt-drive turntable
• Drive: belt drive, precision AC motor with separate switch-mode power supply
• Speeds: 33 and 45 RPM (manual)
• Platter: glass, 10 mm, with felt mat
• Chassis: CNC-milled, high-density MDF, four rubber feet
• Bearing: hardened steel in a brass bushing
• Tonearm: 9 inches (230 mm) with integrated headshell, effective mass 9.5 g
• Cartridge: Ortofon OM10 (MM), elliptical, pre-mounted
• Adjustable: tracking force and azimuth
• Output: stereo RCA with ground wire
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 435 × 125 × 340 mm
• Weight: 5.5 kg
• What's included: RCA cable with ground wire, dust cover

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a phono preamp for the NAD C558?

Yes, unless your amplifier already has a phono input. The C558 delivers an MM signal from the Ortofon OM10, which needs a phono MM stage. Many NAD integrated amplifiers already have this built in; otherwise you add an external phono stage such as the NAD PP2. We'll tell you what suits your amplifier.

Can I upgrade the cartridge on the NAD C558 later?

Yes. The pre-mounted Ortofon OM10 belongs to the OM series, whose stylus units are interchangeable with each other – switching to a higher-grade OM stylus lifts the sound without needing a completely new cartridge to be aligned. Later, switching to a completely different cartridge is of course also possible.

Why buy the NAD C558 at HD Zürisee?

A turntable needs to be properly set up and adjusted – that's exactly where we come in. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we set up the C558 properly for you, check tracking force and connections, and make sure the stylus and your records bring joy for a long time. Advice, warranty and service included.

Goes well with: cartridges, phono preamps, turntable accessories and integrated amplifiers.