Marantz CD5003 vs NAD 642 vs Cambridge Audio 640C V2

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a CD player to listen to music. Currently, I listen to compressed music (MP3, AAC) from my PS3. My current setup is Marantz SR8001 and B&W 601 S3 as front (and rear) speakers.

I can't audition the players since the dealers in my area are too far away and I definitely cannot do A/B comparisons since the dealers don't carry more than one brand. Pricewise, I can buy the Marantz CD5003 for $350, the NAD C542 for $299 and the CA 640C for $399. The reviews for all these CD players have been excellent and the prices are almost identical.

My biggest concern is that my room has cathedral ceilings which tend to distort the sounds.

The NAD and the CA were originally $500 and $650 a piece which leads me to believe that they're a step above the "entry-level" Marantz CD 5003 and probably closer to the CD6002 (which by the way is not available in the States). However, the Marantz CD5003 has gotten good reviews and it may be a better overall fit with my Marantz AV receiver.

Any recommendations from anyone who's listened to these.

Thank you,

Michael T

 

[d_a_n1979]

To keep the synergy in your system id say to go for the Marantz straight away but i do have a soft spot for the NAD C542 CDP and would also stand by that decision also.

Both are very good but it does depend on what music you listen to.

IMO NAD & B&W go together much better than Marantz & B&W!

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the recommendation.

I've heard good things about the C542 which is why it's currently at the top of my list along with the 5003. Most of the time we listen to jazz vocals (Michael Buble, Diana Krall, Norah Jones) but we also listen to dance music, reggae, pop and last but not least Greek music.

 

[matthewpiano]

I would imagine you like a bit of warmth in the sound for the music you listen to and would highly recommend the NAD. Their gear is absolutely fantastic and very musical. Before the Cambridge stuff I had NAD C521BEE and C325BEE and I'm still not convinced that my current system is quite as enjoyable overall.

I find Cambridge stuff is slightly bright and very analytical whereas NAD tends to flow in a more musical way and with more wamrth. You end up listening to the music instead of the hi-fi.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Matthew.

I'm leaning towards the NAD. I understand what you mean about listening to the hifi versus the music. I just went through the same with a Denon AV Receiver. I could hear the sound but I didn't think it was music.

 

[Anonymous]

I have owned both the NAD542 and the CA 640V2, and a friend of mine who was selling his CD5001 (which was replaced by the CD5003) loaned it to me for two weeks, so I also know it.

The Marantz is nowhere near the NAD in performance. After all, it's cheaper. I even prefer the NAD 521BEE to the CD5001.

I think the NAD 542 is also better than the CA, because the latter has a thiner sound, and can be bright at times. So it needs carefull matching. The NAD will work in any setup, and gives a big, dense and refined sound, with a solid bass foundation. Soundstage is twice as big as the CA's.

Go for the NAD, you won't regret it!

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you, I think I will give the C542 a try based on all the positive comments. I'll report my findings.

 

[matthewpiano]

Just out of interest, I'm currently playing my NAD C521BEE through my Cambridge amp and it stands up extremely well against the 740C CD player. In some ways its actually better... more musical, as I said earlier.