NAD C 558 Turntable with Ortofon OM10

NAD's Entry Point Into Pro-Ject-Built Turntable Engineering

The C 558 is the entry point in NAD's three-tier turntable range, built by Austrian specialist Pro-Ject to NAD's own design specifications — the same arrangement behind NAD's pricier C 588. A belt-drive design and isolated, regenerated power supply keep the C 558 focused on the music rather than its own mechanical noise.

This package ships with an Ortofon OM10 moving-magnet cartridge pre-fitted at the factory, mounted on a 9-inch tonearm with magnetic anti-skating and adjustable tracking force and azimuth. A glass platter with a felt pad rides above a solid, CNC-machined MDF plinth — denser and better damped than the particle board or plastic common at this price.

A low-resonance Perspex dust cover with a counter-sprung hinge rounds out the package, holding at almost any position between open and closed rather than slamming shut suddenly on your fingers or the platter below.

Careful Engineering at an Entry-Level Price

A Regenerated, Isolated Power Supply

NAD's power supply converts the AC from your wall into DC, then regenerates a precise new AC waveform to drive the C 558's motor — isolating it from the noise and voltage fluctuations that unfiltered mains power can introduce.

That motor drives a non-resonant sub-platter through a specially developed belt, spinning on a brass bearing fitted with a hardened steel shaft for smooth, stable rotation over many years of use.

A 9-Inch Tonearm With Magnetic Anti-Skating

The 9-inch tonearm balances low tracking distortion against the rigidity and low mass a cartridge needs to stay stable in the groove. Magnetic anti-skating, adjustable tracking force, and azimuth all work together for precise tracking with less record wear.

This same tonearm architecture traces back to Pro-Ject's own RPM 1 design — genuine turntable-specialist engineering, brought down to the C 558 at a genuinely entry-level price point most buyers can afford.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Hi-Fi Choice found that "the NAD C 558 simply goes about its business in a way that means you spend less time listening to the sonic signature of the turntable and more time concentrating on the music,"

"After listening to the turntable in action... I think the company hit the mark," wrote Brad Moon for Forbes, naming the C 558 an Editors' Pick.

Andrew Dewhirst at futureaudiophile.com called it a turntable that stands out in a crowded market: "From the first time I plugged this turntable into my system I was impressed."

Who Is This Turntable Best For?

• You want real turntable-specialist engineering at an entry price — built by Pro-Ject to NAD's own specifications
• You want a factory-matched cartridge, ready to play — the Ortofon OM10 arrives pre-fitted and aligned
• You want careful vibration control without a high price tag — a CNC-machined MDF plinth and an isolated, regenerated power supply both help
• You want a tonearm with real adjustment — tracking force, azimuth, and magnetic anti-skating are all dialed in for you
• You want a carbon-fiber tonearm and a higher-tier cartridge — the C 588 offers both, at a step up in price

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The C 558 has no built-in phono preamp, so the OM10's standard moving-magnet output needs an external phono preamp, or an amp with a dedicated MM phono input rated for the usual 47-kilohm load.

Once you're set, connect the C 558 to that phono input or an outboard phono preamp, then to the rest of your system as usual.

Pairs Well With

Where the C 558 goes from here:

• Phono preamplifiers — required for playback, matched to the OM10's standard moving-magnet output
• Phono cartridges — the adjustable tonearm leaves room for a future cartridge upgrade
• Integrated amplifiers — with a phono input suited to moving-magnet cartridges, or paired with a separate phono preamp
• Audio racks — a rigid, level shelf lets the isolated motor and CNC-machined plinth do their job

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the C 558 include a cartridge?

Yes. An Ortofon OM10 moving-magnet cartridge is pre-fitted and aligned at the factory.

Does it have a built-in phono preamp?

It needs an external phono preamp or an amp with a moving-magnet phono input — there's no phono stage built in.

How do I change speeds?

Lift the platter and move the belt to the other step on the motor pulley for 33⅓ or 45rpm.

Is a dust cover included?

Yes, a low-resonance Perspex dust cover with a counter-sprung hinge that holds at almost any position.

Can I upgrade the cartridge later?

Yes. The tonearm's adjustable tracking force and azimuth make it straightforward to fit a higher-grade cartridge when you're ready.

What's the difference between the C 558 and the C 588?

The C 588 steps up to a carbon-fiber tonearm and the higher-tier Ortofon 2M Red cartridge; both are built by Pro-Ject to NAD's specifications.

See It in Action

Paul Rigby, The Audiophile Man, reviews the C 558 in depth:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about turntable setup, cartridge selection, or phono preamps? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.