A Renowned Hi-Fi Brand Just Dropped a Classic CD Player for Old-School Audiophiles

No streaming. No fancy features. Just simple, high-quality CD playback.

Black NAD C 589 compact disc player with an open tray holding a CD with a purple and black abstract design, placed on a wooden shelf above a collection of CDs.

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Published April 22, 2026

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NAD is a Canadian audio manufacturer that has been making high-end hi-fi gear since the early 1970s. Today, it’s probably best known for its integrated amplifiers, music streamers, and home theater components, each of which falls into one of two ranges: either its Masters series or Classic series.

The Masters series, as you might have guessed, is reserved for NAD’s flagship audio components. They typically run from between $3,000 to $10,000. While the Classic series comprises more affordable (yet still audiophile-grade) components, typically priced between $500 and $3,000.

Now, NAD is adding a new CD player to its Classic series.

NAD C 589

A new Classic CD player

The NAD C 589 is the newest CD player in the company’s Classic series. It joins the C 538 ($399), which was released in early 2018, as the other current CD player in the range.

But at $1,000 more expensive, the C 589 promises a significant step-up in performance. The company describes it as “a precision-engineered source component designed to extract the highest level of
performance from compact discs.”

Black NAD Compact Disc Player C 576 with digital display showing "Money For Nothing" on a wooden shelf with CDs below and decorative items behind. — The C 589 features a large front-panel display with CD Text support, which shows artist and track information, making it easy to follow albums from across the room.

Wooden floating shelf with stereo equipment, CDs, decorative vases, and plants against a beige brick wall below a window. — The CD player comes with a remote control so you can navigate playback from across the room..

To do this, NAD integrated the C 589 with higher-end technologies. This includes a precision disc loader and transport mechanism that’s been engineered for smooth, quiet playback across a wide range of CDs, including older or frequently played discs.

It also features a carefully implemented digital-to-analog conversion stage that, according to the brand, is “designed to preserve fine musical detail while maintaining low noise and distortion.”

Hand placing a CD into the tray of a black NAD Compact Disc Player C 589 on a wooden shelf. — The NAD C 589 promises simple press-and-play operating.

Black NAD C 589 compact disc player rear panel with RCA, XLR, optical, coaxial audio outputs, power input, and various labels. — The CD player features a wide selection of digital and analog outputs, so you can connect it various amps or preamplifiers, or use it as CD transport with an external DAC.

A plug-and-play solution

More interestingly, NAD integrated the C 589 with a digital audio technology developed by MQA Labs, called QRONO d2a, that improves digital timing and reconstruction accuracy. According to the brand, this “advanced processing helps ensure that the C 589 reveals the subtle nuances and dynamic energy captured in compact disc recordings.”

NAD has integrated similar technologies from MQA Labs into its Master Series components, such as its $5,999 M33 V2 streaming amplifier.

Wooden wall-mounted shelf with black audio equipment, CDs, decorative vases, and a tall black speaker against a brick wall. — The C 589 is the most high-end CD player in the company’s Classic series.

Black NAD C 589 compact disc player with tray open holding a CD, placed on a wooden shelf above a row of CDs. — According to NAD, the C 589 is “a modern solution for those who still value the tangible connection of CD playback.”

Additionally, the C 589 is a CD player designed to work with a wide variety of sources thanks to a comprehensive selection of analog and digital outputs.

It features balanced XLR and RCA analog outputs for direct connection to an integrated amplifier or preamplifier. If you want to skip its internal DAC and use it exclusively as a CD transport, it has digital outputs (AES/EBU, coaxial, and optical) so you can hook it up to an external DAC.

Black NAD Compact Disc Player C 589 on a wooden shelf playing "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits. — The simple font panel shows playback information.

Availability and pricing

The NAD C 589 CD Player will be available “soon” through authorized NAD retailers worldwide. It costs $1,399 and comes in one finish: black.

Black NAD Compact Disc Player C 589 with digital display showing "Babylon Sisters" by Steely Dan.

NAD C 589 CD Player

$1,399 at NAD

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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