Hi i have a NAD C352 amp (£350) with a NAD C521bee cd playe (£200) I thinking of a Cd upgrade . I was thinking my cd player being a weaker link the obvious choice next being the nad c542 cd player my question is will it sound that much better than the c521bee or would you guys advise another product. I like the marantz cd6002 which would sound better with my C352 amp...
NAD upgrade WHF Team
- Thread starter robg1976
- Start date
The CD6002, good as it is, is no match for the C542 (IMO). In answer to your question, will the C542 be better than what you have? Yes. Although the C521BEE is no slouch and the differences between any cd player north of £200 are subtle (again, IMO) - it's a digital format and unlike vinyl you don't have to spend lots to get good replay. The C542 has a toroidal power supply and a better DAC so it's going to have better dynamics, better bass and better detail retrieval. Please bear in mind that these improvements are going to be subtle though, as I've already said. I run the C542 in a system and it's a great cdp, much better to my ears than several much more expensive players. The CD6002 will give you more detailed treble but at the expense of smoothness - it can sound harsh and bright in the upper registers. The bass is rock-solid though. A good player, especially at the £200 it can be had for now. The C542 at £270 is even more of a bargain though (IMO) - if you prefer a smoother sound.
[quote user="robg1976"]Hi i have a NAD C352 amp (£350) with a NAD C521bee cd playe (£200) I thinking of a Cd upgrade . I was thinking my cd player being a weaker link the obvious choice next being the nad c542 cd player my question is will it sound that much better than the c521bee or would you guys advise another product. I like the marantz cd6002 which would sound better with my C352 amp...[/quote]
With your current set up, for about a £100 you could purchase a Beresford DAC this would really open up the signal and give you a far more revealing, atmospheric delivery, food for thought.......if you were not impressesd i would be very surprised...
With your current set up, for about a £100 you could purchase a Beresford DAC this would really open up the signal and give you a far more revealing, atmospheric delivery, food for thought.......if you were not impressesd i would be very surprised...
What budget are we talking here?
£270 will buy you the aforementioned Marantz, it'll also take you some good way to getting a used Linn Karik or Genki (the latter nearer the £400 mark). Are you looking to upgrade over time? If so this is another thing to consider and the Genki in particular will get you a top CD player for reasonable outlay. It'll certainly cuff the £200-£300 contenders and give you a good platform to upgrade.
£270 will buy you the aforementioned Marantz, it'll also take you some good way to getting a used Linn Karik or Genki (the latter nearer the £400 mark). Are you looking to upgrade over time? If so this is another thing to consider and the Genki in particular will get you a top CD player for reasonable outlay. It'll certainly cuff the £200-£300 contenders and give you a good platform to upgrade.
Don't like the Beresford myself and much prefer the onboard DAC of the C542. I do notice that a forum member is running a C542 and a Beresford DAC though so personal preference rings loud here...
[quote user="Wild Willy"]Don't like the Beresford myself and much prefer the onboard DAC of the C542. I do notice that a forum member is running a C542 and a Beresford DAC though so personal preference rings loud here...[/quote]
I think the Bere with the C521bee would be a 'real' improvement, money well spent, as regards buying a Bere and the C542 then its less of a gain as its a vgood player in its on right.
I think the Bere with the C521bee would be a 'real' improvement, money well spent, as regards buying a Bere and the C542 then its less of a gain as its a vgood player in its on right.
HI guys thanks for your advise. Just to let you all know i got a C542 from my dealer yesterday to try and im pleased to report it is superb my dealer let me try it for a few days goes to show you cant beat the service from a good dealer they are (audio Excellence in swansea by the way) .
Im going down today to purchase the C542 player. The c542 is better than my c521bee but still keeps the Nad sound that i loved with the c521bee but improves on it its more transparent reveling more detail and a better sense of stereo imaging
Thanks Guys
Im going down today to purchase the C542 player. The c542 is better than my c521bee but still keeps the Nad sound that i loved with the c521bee but improves on it its more transparent reveling more detail and a better sense of stereo imaging
Thanks Guys
And just to let you know i got it for £270 but they also gave me a Blackrodium interconnect in with the deal so cant be bad
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram