[orl2222]

If some of you are having a lil problem with the overall "brightness" of the player, Try this: get some interconnects made out of Belden 1505A cable. This has really worked for me. The cables themselves are 75 ohm which to some people maybe a no no, but they are lighting fast in transitions. I just did a A/B test with the NAD541I and my Philips 963 SA with upsampling, using my Gilmore V2, which has two sets of inputs. These cables really cut the brightness off the NAD541I. I could not tell the difference between the two players. When I A/B my SonyCE222 ES, the Sony was still a tad brighter on Rebook. I do beleive this sould help out NAD541I owers to get rid of the unwanted brightness. hope this helps!

 

[mrkun]

What ICs did you have before making the switch and how did the sonic quality (excluding the brightness) change?

 

[Don Quichotte]

What do you mean when you say that you "could not hear a difference between the two players"? Do they really sound identical, or you only meant "a difference in brightness"? Please do a more detailed comparison between these players, I am really interested!

 

[orl2222]

First off, I was using my Kimbers with the 541 orginally. The IC's I made with 505A cable opened up the soundstage to a wider scope. Sonically, The "digitalis" was dimished greatly, giving a "warmer" sound to my Rebook CD's. Those of you who have or heard a Philips 963 SA that use upsampling are aware that it does make a difference. To answer your question, The NAD 541I now sounds more musical, lush in character. With the new Belden 505A IC's the NAD 541I sounds identical to my Philips 963 SA with Redbook, and upsampling on. Of course, if your looking for a player that can do both SACD and Rebook for a reasonable price, the Philips 963 SA is hard to beat. If, however, you want to go strickly Rebook, these cables brought out the best to me that the NAD 541I has to offer.

 

[Don Quichotte]

Thanks!

 

[stymie miasma]

Quote:

Originally posted by orl2222 With the new Belden 505A IC's the NAD 541I sounds identical to my Philips 963 SA with Redbook, and upsampling on.

I am still confused

Are you saying that without the Belden cables, the 541i is not comparable to the 963SA, but with the Belden cables, the two players are equivalent?

If that is the case, there seems to be no reason or advantage in purchasing the 541i over the 963SA. Or have I completely misunderstood you?

 

[Kieran Comito]

Can you tell me where I can get this kind of cable on the net. Thanks

 

[orl2222]

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/...able/1505A.htm

There you go!

 

[Kieran Comito]

Thanks for the link.

 

[adhoc]

yes orl2222, i also would like to know exactly what stymie miasma asked.

 

[orl2222]

look above. my earlier post.

The belden cable smooths out the digitalis and brightness of my NAD541I. Yes, to my ears it does sound identical to my Phillips 963 SA with upsampling on. If your gonna buy a standalone redbook player, and are considering the NAD 541I, I would reccomend trying these cables. If your not into DIYing your own, blue jeans cable does offer them at a attractive price.

 

[adhoc]

oh my, redbook was never really the 963sa's strong point too.

 

[orl2222]

Hummm adhoc... Looks like you never auditioned either. The Philips 963 Sa has very good Rebook with upsampling. Don't knock till you have listened for yourself.