Hi i am considering changing my current cd player for a c542. What differences in sound will i hear with the c542 compared to my current cd player 640 v2. thanks in advance
Nad C542
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John Duncan
Well-known member
Honestly? None sufficient to warrant the expense, I'd say.
If you must have a matching player and amp, that's a different matter.
If you must have a matching player and amp, that's a different matter.
nads
Well-known member
To go against what was said above i think you'd find that the NAD C542 CDP would gel hell of a lot better with your NAD amp and that you'd find the soundstage a lot more open and detailed over the C/A CDP (once you've got accustomed to the NAD CDP)
To me, C/A gear is too clinical sounding and can be, at times, overly bright.
The NAD amp will be damping that down a bit but i think that there's a lot more to be heard through the NAD C542 CDP
To me, C/A gear is too clinical sounding and can be, at times, overly bright.
The NAD amp will be damping that down a bit but i think that there's a lot more to be heard through the NAD C542 CDP
With the advent of the new NAD CD player coming out (the 545BEE) at £350, the outgoing C542 might well have some good deals to clear out old stock lines; see if you can get a home loan for a weekend and do a compare?
I think if you are going to splash out circa £300 on a new machine, I'd look at the new NAD though; the write-up is pretty glowing and it seems as if it's already on the awards shortlist for the end of the year.
I think if you are going to splash out circa £300 on a new machine, I'd look at the new NAD though; the write-up is pretty glowing and it seems as if it's already on the awards shortlist for the end of the year.
Is there a lot of difference between the 315 and the 542 in sound quality. Thanks
Just spoken to a rep a richer sounds and they claim the 640 v2 whips the 542 for sound quality and that i need to spend around £500 to better the 640 what do you think. I'm looking for a cdp which is not as bright as the 640 v2 but with the same if not better quality thats why i thought about the 542. Opinions
Just spoken to a rep a richer sounds and they claim the 640 v2 whips the 542 for sound quality and that i need to spend around £500 to better the 640 what do you think. I'm looking for a cdp which is not as bright as the 640 v2 but with the same if not better quality thats why i thought about the 542. Opinions
nads
Well-known member
Sounds like you need a Nad CDP and i would beg to differ on the RS reps comment.
and i would wait for the news on the New Nad CDPs that will get their first outing this Weekend at the show so i hear.
and i would wait for the news on the New Nad CDPs that will get their first outing this Weekend at the show so i hear.
Gtncj:Is the 315 a downgrade. I find Rockferry and thriller 25 edtion bright on the 640
I find Rockferry cheese-gratingly hard on most systems (in fact the better the system, the worse it gets), and I know many people were unhappy at the remastering on that edition of Thriller. `
Make sure you take both discs with you (and other favourites) when you audition any potential new kit....
I find Rockferry cheese-gratingly hard on most systems (in fact the better the system, the worse it gets), and I know many people were unhappy at the remastering on that edition of Thriller. `
Make sure you take both discs with you (and other favourites) when you audition any potential new kit....
Thanks for all your input, Thanks a lot clare for yours concerning Rockferry and Thriller as those were the CD's that made me think about changing my CDP.
matthewpiano
Well-known member
NAD kit is just far more musical than the Cambridge stuff. Have a good demo and see what you think but I personally feel you will hear a big improvement, good though the 640C is for its price point.
Hi,
I had both machines, the Nad c542 was warm sounding, full bass, rolled off top end but more natural sounding than the CA 640c v2. However the 640c is leaner more punchy and more open in the mids and top end, it however can be a little forward and clinical sounding on some music (classical/jazz). If you after more relaxing sound go for nad if more excitement the 640c. The 640c was fatigueing on my system after a while and the nad lacked a little in detail. The nad is probably more balanced however probably not for detail freaks
I tried the Arcam cd73t that was a step up but boring on some music like rock. I ended up buying a consonance cd120 linear - musical fluid sound, that was detailed, open, smooth and natural sounding.
Cheers,
Steve
I had both machines, the Nad c542 was warm sounding, full bass, rolled off top end but more natural sounding than the CA 640c v2. However the 640c is leaner more punchy and more open in the mids and top end, it however can be a little forward and clinical sounding on some music (classical/jazz). If you after more relaxing sound go for nad if more excitement the 640c. The 640c was fatigueing on my system after a while and the nad lacked a little in detail. The nad is probably more balanced however probably not for detail freaks
I tried the Arcam cd73t that was a step up but boring on some music like rock. I ended up buying a consonance cd120 linear - musical fluid sound, that was detailed, open, smooth and natural sounding.
Cheers,
Steve
Thanks for that info stephennic, I don't think i would want to give up the detail that the 640 v2 has. To spend £264 for less detail is a no brainer for me. Thanks,
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