Nads!

[zachary80]

I have been looking for a cd player to go with my hd580's and pimeta, and had previously decided I wanted a Rega Planet 2000. Well eventually logic set in and there is no way I can justify a used cd player costing $550.

So right now I am trying to decide between these:
Refurbished NAD C521BEE CD Player $240 +shipping
New NAD C541i $300 +shipping (around $11 according to audiogon calculator)
Refurbished NAD C542 CD Player (1 year warranty) $400 +shipping

Every one except the C541i (which I am currently leaning towards) is from http://store.yahoo.com/yawaonline/cdplayer.html .

 

[the_villain]

I have the 521BEE and think IMHO that it is the weak link in my rig. I have DIY Corda Ha1 MkII ( not the best I know but it's OK) and am already thinking of upgrading the NAD: better caps and different opamp - it is using NE5532. So, go for the higher models.

 

[Kirosia]

I have the c542, and in your setup, it'll be fine. I used a pimeta and the dt880s with them, and they sounded pretty good. If you can, upgrade the pimeta to a mg-head or something and you'll notice an even better improvement. I consider a NADc542/541i - mg-head otl - 580/600/dt880 to be a good entry level setup.

So if money is a factor, get the 541i and use the cash for an amp upgrade.

 

[Megaptera]

I thought my C542 paired very well with my AD8620 Pimeta and HD580. You could probably even find a new one for $400, or thereabouts.

 

[bln]

Those prices are high. I'd look for a used 541i on Audiogon. You'd pay closer to $200 or $220 plus shipping.

 

[KZEE]

I've got a NAD 512 that I'll sell you for $120 (shipped). This is the player that Corey Greenberg liked so much a few years back when he was writing for Stereophile Magazine, and this is the only player in it's price range that I've ever personally heard throw a credible soundstage.

 

[zachary80]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bln Those prices are high. I'd look for a used 541i on Audiogon. You'd pay closer to $200 or $220 plus shipping.

I am only looking for new or refurbished (with warranty)

KZEE, thanks but I am not intereseted.

 

[bhd812]

the nad521 (not the bbe just the 521) made me cry with its sound, infact I liked it somuch I went out and ordered the 542 without a single listen.

The only thing I didnt like off the 521 was if you have scratched up cds (and I have plently) then forget it playing them period. I would expect the 521 or any cdp at this price to play any cd perfect when a cheapo no name cdp can play the cd.

slow cd open and close.. This bugged me at the time, really I didnt like it I wanted the music fast..lol

the 542 improves the sound and esp these two things of the 521. the 542 has its issues though. sometimes it just does not wanna read or play a cd at all. or the chasis ground issue is another non sonic probelm I have seen of the 542.

but with any NAD product its all about the sound and at the price you pay youll get plenty of this.

also I found it depends on your other gear and how high end the other gear is..

the nad 542 was cool with the ra1 and 325's. but with the hr2 and the ps-1's it shows its sloppyness easy.

still for its price the nad 542, or even the 521 is a great buy..just like any nad product

 

[elnero]

I wouldn't discount a Planet 2000, you can often find a dealer demo unit with full warranty for very good prices in fact there was one in the U.S. that I almost bought. It was a two month old demo unit in mint condition that I was going to be able to get for $600 shipping included. The only reason I ended up passing on it was I found another player that is about 4 months old here in Canada so I didn't have to worry about paying taxes and duty. If you want the email of the dealer send me a PM.

 

[zachary80]

Does anyone know the difference between a C541 and a C541i?

 

[bln]

Yeah, the 'i' was released without the bugs that the original 541 had, I think. More reliable at reading CDs, especially CD-Rs. I think I read there was an improvement in sound, too.

 

[masahito24@chart]

I have the NAD 521i. its sounds great with my XP-7 amp. Im using HD650s, SR325s, and MS-2s with it and they sound awesome. When comparing the NAD to my Ipod the ipod sounds like crap even in lossless format.