[radu_D]

Ok,

Thanks for everyone who answered my previous questions regarding CD players...my choices are as follows for my budget:

Marantz CD50001
NAD C542
Music Hall cd25.2

Honestly, I have no idea if it will really make a difference (and i have read posts concerning all of them) in what i'm listening too, but I will be using one of these with my AKG K701 and most likely a Cayin ha-1a or Wooaudio 6.

Also, what good set of cables exist out there? Is MONSTER any good for audio?

Thanks again.

Radu D.

 

[radu_D]

anyone??!@

 

[Morph201]

Look for a used Rega, should be in that price range... (planet 2000).

 

[ingwe]

Disclaimer: I didn't read the previous thread.

IMO: monster cables aren't worth the expense--go diy, if you can or get a "house-brand" upgrade cable. Don't use the cheap cables bundled with practically everything these days.

I think you're at the stage where the equipment will start "teaching you" about what different things sound like. Seriously, listen to the music, enjoy yourself. These things take time.

Can you audition different CDP's in your home? When I lived in Chicago, Audio Consultants let me take home three or four CDP's (two or so at at time) so I could spend a few days with each. First time I ended up with an Rotel 995; a couple years later, I ended up with an Ayre Cx7. I've also home auditioned preamps, and power amps, speakers, and cables. I will no longer purchase stuff for my main rig unless I can live with it for a few days at home.

Have fun!
-m

 

[DJShadow]

I also haven't read your previous thread

I was recommended this player by blessingx http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=48.1 which is the same thing as that Music Hall player for much less, but ended up with the C 542 (shipping was way too much). Sounds fantastic but I did upgrade from a humble pcdp

 

[islewind]

The NAD is an excellent player. You can get a refurb model from DMC for $349, which would make it my choice among new players. I have had a Rega Planet 2000, Rotel 971, and Marantz 8260, all of which I would recommend used if you find a decent deal...

 

[soloz2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJShadow /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also haven't read your previous thread I was recommended this player by blessingx http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=48.1 which is the same thing as that Music Hall player for much less, but ended up with the C 542 (shipping was way too much). Sounds fantastic but I did upgrade from a humble pcdp

I'm not so sure that's the same player as the Music Hall. Looking at the reported specs from each,they are NOT the same.
http://www.musichallaudio.com/mmf_pr...k=a25_2_cd25_2


I seriously considered NADs offerings both the Music Hall CD25 and CD25.2, and the Marantz CD5001.

I opted not to go with a NAD unit because their reliability has been in question. Even my local NAD deal suggested either the Marantz or Music Hall because as they put it, " NAD has an excellent warranty, but you'll use it."

In the end I chose the Marantz CD5001 because it seemed to be the best bang for buck. I use it as a transport and have been very happy with it.

 

[islewind]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif NAD has an excellent warranty, but you'll use it.

I've purchased 5 different new NAD products over the years, and one had a problem right after I got that was immediately taken care of by the dealer with a replacement unit. The replacement unit has worked fine for the last 4 years straight. The other four products, as well as several other NAD items that close friends have purchased, have all worked fine with no problems at all. Reports of NAD reliability issues are exaggerated.

 

[DJShadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not so sure that's the same player as the Music Hall. Looking at the reported specs from each,they are NOT the same. http://www.musichallaudio.com/mmf_pr...k=a25_2_cd25_2 I seriously considered NADs offerings both the Music Hall CD25 and CD25.2, and the Marantz CD5001. I opted not to go with a NAD unit because their reliability has been in question. Even my local NAD deal suggested either the Marantz or Music Hall because as they put it, " NAD has an excellent warranty, but you'll use it."

I've been told and read that the Onix CD-5 is a repackaged Music Hall cdp and I thought it was the CD25.2. Probably a different one then. And sorry it wasn't blessingx it was philodox who recommended that player (wasn't anticipating that brain fart).

Also, this is the first time ever that I've read any comments on NAD's having poor build quality, not just on here, but on all the websites I visited as well.

 

[soloz2]

Yeah, I talked with two different NAD dealers and another dealer that dropped NAD because they said they had problems. So idk. I just just going by what I was told.

I still think the Marantz is probably the best bang for buck player. I might try the Music Hall someday, or I might just skip that step and look at $1000+ cdp

 

[DJShadow]

I don't think its indicative of NAD's having reliability issues. Perhaps the dealers you went to had some anti-British/Canadian/Asian tendencies

i.e support American goods - assembly of some (all?) NAD products takes place in Asia, hence their competitive pricing.

If you skip the Music Hall and go for a $1000 player then the improvements (if they can be noticed) will be more pronounced than if you taken the detour with a ~$600 cdp. A point to consider.

 

[radu_D]

thanks everyone for the replies....i went ahead and bought an ARCAM CD73T...it's that's not the best player under 1K....well I'll be damned.

I also bought some DH LABS AIR MATRIX cables and i'm only missing my WooAudio 6 headphone amp.

Thanks again everyone.

Regards,

Radu D.