NAD Budget Kit versus CA Budget Kit

[admin_exported]

Hi All,

Any opinions would be great on the relative virtues (or lack thereof!) of the NAD C515 / C315 combo versus the CA C540 A and C combo.

I have the chance to use Wharfedale 10.1's, Quad 11L2's, PSB Image B25's or Wharfedale evo2-8's.

Which would give me the best bang for buck?

I like a smooth, not too trebly or overblown bass sound - unfortunately deoing the kit is out of the question..

Many thanks

Anthony

 

[Anonymous]

I went to demo CA kit with my Mum for a little system for home for her .... we found the CA stuff lacking any musical hook to keep us listening, but thankfully the NAD delivered, so that is what she got......

I know the CA stuff is well reviewed and has it's fan base, but it did nothing for me personally - sorry!

 

[Anonymous]

How much did you see the NAD advertised for?

 

[Anonymous]

I noticed a massive difference between bottom range CA kit and the 640 range. The 640 amp was £200 at RS and could highly recommend it at the price along with the 640 C.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I think it really all depends to what music you listen to and what speakers you'll end up with.

Buying blind can be a dangerous game IMO.

Personally I'd be going for the NAD C315BEE amp and the C515BEE CDP along with the Wharfedale 10.1 speakers.

BUT... The Q Acoustic 2010's or the 202 speakers should be a consideration and the Rotel RA04 integrated amp should be looked at as well.

Have you budgeted for speaker cable, interconnects and speaker stands?

 

[vinod_david]

OP:

Get the 650 combo, excellent SQ for the price or can consider the 640 combo as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, the kit I mentioned in the original post is all I can get at the moment, I'm at the Southern tip of Africa! 🙂

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO I'd go for NAD then with the Wharfedale 10.1 speakers; much better averall soundstage over the C/A gear with plenty more gusto as well

 

[lussen]

sorry man i m from malaysia dont know how to post here but i need help to set up my sub freucency.my sub dealer ask me to turn to all and let my amp do the setting.DENON1910 & VELODYNE IMPACT 10

 

[Sizzers]

Well I guess this is as good a recommendation as you'll read for the C315, and a good dig at the 3020 to boot!

http://hometheaterreview.com/nad-c315bee-stereo-integrated-amplifier-reviewed/

 

[vinod_david]

Antman:Unfortunately, the kit I mentioned in the original post is all I can get at the moment, I'm at the Southern tip of Africa! 🙂

Oh, then, the NAD is the best compared to the 540, like others said.

 

[plastic penguin]

For me the Nad would give an overall presentation that the OP would enjoy. A friend of mine had the old 640V1 combo, driving MS speakers and, tonally, it's far from smooth. Fine for cleaning your ears out, otherwise the Nad gives a much smoother sound. Just beware of the bass control.

 

[rymidd]

never heard CA amps but NAD have always impressed me with a smooth and easy on the ear sound

 

[matthewpiano]

CA CD player and NAD amp. That should give you a good balance without over doing the traits of either brand.

 

[Anonymous]

there are some really good hifi stores in South Africa in the large cities that have all the latest gear ....

my advice would be to look at ex-demo equipment or used equipment that has been traded in

you will get a better system for the same budget and many stores will give a 6 months guarantee on used items

also look at some of the larger pawn shops in South Africa .... many have older good quality hifi gear

 

[csq2]

The biggest issue with NAD is reliability. Many users have complained about failing amps. I would not go with CA either as they sound too "bright" and less musical. I say go with Rega Brio 3, which I currently have right now. The sound is between NAD and CA: not too muddy and not too bright. Nothing is made in China in the Brio. Case is made in Switzerland, power supply and potentiometer are Japanese, and the circuit board is from a UK supplier. Everything is assembled in the UK. Nothing beats the quality, performance, and price of the Rega Brio 3. My only concern is that it doesn't have a lot of features, such as more inputs and a remote. Rega sacrificed features for quality and performance.

 

[Anonymous]

the problem that the OP has in South Africa is that not much of the latest hifi gear is available there, and if so, prices are at a premium

so, as previously mentioned, my advice would be to look at the 2nd hand market in South Africa

even if the OP buys off ebay in the UK or Europe, shipping costs to South Africa are very expensive and then to top it all, you get whacked with heavy import surcharges (if you are lucky to receive the item, as the postal services tend to 'loose' expensive items even if they are insured)

posted an Apple Iphone to my eldest son who is working there ... insured it for max ... tracking number etc .... now it's 'missing'

 

[matthewpiano]

Got to say I've never had any reliability issues with NAD amps.

 

[Anonymous]

I think both are great options for the price. I'd personally gravitate towards the CA because of improved detail and layering. However, if the thread starter wants a smooth sounding system, then the NAD pair would be hard to beat at the price.

I understand PSB speakers aren't popular in the UK, but they match perfectly with NAD electronics in my opinion (they belong to the same group). The B25 would work great with the C315BEE/C515BEE. I've heard this combination many many times.

 

[Anonymous]

Me neither, knock on wood!