Torn Between Two!

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Next on my list to purchase is a CD player.

This will be accompanying:

 B&W 685 speakers. Rotel RA-04 Amp. Beresford TC-7520.

With the following cables: 

Chord Carnival Silver Screen. Chord Crimson interconnect. And Chord Optichord digital interconnect.

 

Now i've read that Rotel goes very nicely with B&W and that the Rotel RCD-06 cd player goes very nicely with the Rotel RA-04 amp. So this is obviously first choice.

HOWEVER.

I've also read that an NAD C545 BEE would sound lovely with this current set up. Making this the second choice.

 

They are similarly priced, have great reviews all over the net, and both look great.

I need help. 
 

matthewpiano

Well-known member
I saw the NAD today. I heard it briefly, though only playing on the shop floor with the matching amp and Dali Lektor 2s. Sounded excellent. Certainly worth an audition.

Its also worth trying the new Harman Kardon HD980. I used to have a Rotel RA-01 which worked very well with the 980's predecessor, the HD970. Only drawback is that, in the flesh, the HK looks a bit naff.

I'd also be inclined to try one of the Cambridge Audio players if you get the opportunity.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Clare Newsome:
Well we don't rate the Rotel, even as part of that set-up (and we have tested it with its superb sister amp and speakers several times).

I'd check out both the excellent NAD and the outgoing Marantz CD6002.

ÿ

Well I hadn't actually considered the Marantz and it does look lovely. Not to mention the review you gave. However the obvious glaring fact here is that the NAD weighs in better with you than the Marantz. Add to it the chap above's opinion on the NAD he heard only today and the NAD seems to be winning.

ÿ
 

matthewpiano

Well-known member
Luke S:Clare Newsome:
Well we don't rate the Rotel, even as part of that set-up (and we have tested it with its superb sister amp and speakers several times).

I'd check out both the excellent NAD and the outgoing Marantz CD6002.

ÿ

Well I hadn't actually considered the Marantz and it does look lovely. Not to mention the review you gave. However the obvious glaring fact here is that the NAD weighs in better with you than the Marantz. Add to it the chap above's opinion on the NAD he heard only today and the NAD seems to be winning.

ÿ

Please note that I only heard the NAD on the shop floor. You really need to audition it properly yourself. I was very impressed by what I heard though.

Forget the HK suggestion. Clare's Marantz recommendation is much better. You really should audition it. I'm no fan of the 6002 amp but the CD player is excellent, and has a build quality advantage over the NAD.

I think either would be excellent.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Unfortunately I have no where local I can demo these products. Which is basically the reason I rely so heavily on the folks on here :)
 
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Anonymous

Guest
I have also heard the Marantz CD6002 and was a big fan of the sound. It's a very good cdp. As said before it is also well made.
 

Gerrardasnails

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Clare Newsome:
Well we don't rate the Rotel, even as part of that set-up (and we have tested it with its superb sister amp and speakers several times).

I'd check out both the excellent NAD and the outgoing Marantz CD6002.

When I demo'd my RS6s, they used the bigger Rotel amp (RA-06 I think) with the RCD 06 and I wasn't impressed at all. I eventually bought the Denon DCD-700AE which is a very nice cd player. You can pick these up for a decent price and they are well worth the money.
 

Frank Harvey

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Jun 27, 2008
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Rotel amps used be rather good, and I assume they're still up there with the best at their price point. Where I used to work we couldn't sell anything else because of the RA01 and RA02 were just so good, and they were the only amp under £500 (along with the Marantz PM7200) that could drive quality loudspeakers. But I would say that a Rotel amp is a bad match for Monitor Audio - the tonal balance is just the wrong side of neutral.
 
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Anonymous

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Clare Newsome:

Well we don't rate the Rotel, even as part of that set-up (and we have tested it with its superb sister amp and speakers several times).

Fair enough, but also worth pointing out that HiFi World (never heard of them) rated it the best of a similarly priced group of players. I think it's pretty cool and very punchy compared to some.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
ChrisMM:Clare Newsome:
Well we don't rate the Rotel, even as part of that set-up (and we have tested it with its superb sister amp and speakers several times).

Fair enough, but also worth pointing out that HiFi World (never heard of them) rated it the best of a similarly priced group of players. I think it's pretty cool and very punchy compared to some.

ÿ

Exactly. This is what's clouding my ability to make a choice somewhat. This website that I know and trust says its ok but there's better. But then loads of other review websites are saying its fantastic. Really hard to choose as obviously I want the best one of the NAD or Rotel.

Need more user opinions methinks.ÿ
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Either NAD or Rotel will be nice. I liked the Rotel myself, and that was in a comparison with the Primare CD31 (upwards of £1.5k and I think the speakers were hiding some of the benefit at the time).

Don't lose any sleep over it. The Rotel can probably be had for a decent price and it matches the amp.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Luke S:Heeeeeelp please?

I'm selling my mint RCD-06 if you want it.
 

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