NAD Electronics is now shipping the CI 580, a four-zone streamer with BluOS Network Music onboard. Part of the company’s Custom Integrator (CI Series), the CI 580 (MSRP $1,299) drives four stereo zones in 1U of rack space for a flexible multiroom audio package.
Up to 16 CI 580s can be installed on a single network, all in full 24-bit resolution with sample rates up to 192kHz. Fixed or variable line outputs provide further flexibility. A system interrupt is also included, lowering volume so you can hear when the doorbell or alarm sounds.
BluOS is the operating system developed by Bluesound as a high-resolution multiroom wireless audio solution. BluOS features a deep integration with several of the top control systems, including Control4, Crestron, RTI, and URC. Unlike other network audio solutions, BluOS has a published API that allows a complete and sustainable integration.
Like all NAD products, the focus of the CI series is on performance with DACs, OPAmps, and passive circuit components selected for musical sound quality. Multiple CI 580s can be used to provide as many zones as required and multiple zone groups are fully supported.
The CI 580 is well suited for both new and retrofit installations that feature wired speaker home runs. While the NAD CI 980 Amplifier is the ideal companion to the CI 580, it can be easily interfaced to any quality amplifier.
“As the custom market continues to grow, NAD believes that innovative performance solutions will differentiate the true custom integrators from the less-skilled tradesmen and DIY solutions coming to market,” said Greg Stidsen director of technology and product planning for NAD Electronics. “NAD has deep roots in the custom market and our CI 580 multizone BluOS streamer showcases our proprietary technologies in ways that deliver valuable and tangible benefits to both the quality-oriented custom integrator and their clients.”
