NAD C542 with Arcam amp?
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New member Username: HalfemptyCanada Post Number: 2 Registered: Oct-08 | I'm looking at replacing my NAD amp with an Arcam A28, and for budgetary reasons would like to keep my NAD C542 if it's a good match. If not, I'd have to get the CD17. Does NAD and Arcam play well together? FYI, I have Totem Arro speakers if that makes a difference. Cheers! |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7958 Registered: Feb-05 | If you are going to buy the Arcam amp anyway, just do it and give the system a listen. If you like the sound you can hang onto the NAD for awhile and upgrade the source later. As you already know the Arro's can show you the difference with a much higher end source and amp, however that doesn't mean you'll have to have them right away to enjoy what you have. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1651 Registered: Feb-07 | That's good advice. I've heard the Totem/Arcam combo quite a few times and it always sounded great to me. Like Art said, you can always upgrade the CDP later. |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 3299 Registered: Sep-04 | David, really? The A28 is quite new. |
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New member Username: HalfemptyCanada Post Number: 5 Registered: Oct-08 | Frank, which David are you referring to.. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1654 Registered: Feb-07 | I think he meant me... Not the A28 specifically Frank, but Arcam gear in general. My dealer has carried it for a long time. |
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New member Username: HalfemptyCanada Post Number: 7 Registered: Oct-08 | I did an A/B comparison between these two players on my Arcam A28 amp, primary to see how much I would miss HDCD when I sold the NAD. A couple of surprises: 1. HDCD isn't that important. the CD17 did a great job without the decoder. 2. Bigger surprise: the NAD is just about as good as the Arcam! I found that the Arcam stressed mids a bit more than the NAD (can tell on vocals), but the details, etc were pretty good! Kudos to NAD. Now I need to decide which one to keep :? |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 3310 Registered: Sep-04 | The Arcam still needs running in. It should pull out a bit of a lead in a few days of continuous running. BTW, have you put in some decent leads yet? Poor leads could easily wipe out the advantage anyway... |
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New member Username: HalfemptyCanada Post Number: 8 Registered: Oct-08 | I've got Tara labs IC's. No speaker cabling yet. Looking for used as I don't want to spend as much for cables as the gear  |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 8012 Registered: Feb-05 | Good report back HE. I've found that when I've compared the C542 to Arcam players that they have a similar presentation with the Arcam being a bit more detailed with better imaging. The biggest difference I find between the 2 is how much smoother the Arcams are. The C542, a very good budget player in it's own right, has a bit of grain that never goes away and that the Arcam is free of...that with the added detail and better imaging = a more musical player. But the difference isn't monumental and so it all depends on you and your budget and more importantly is the difference worth paying for at all. I would try to match your speaker cable and IC's. I tend to get better results using a loom from one manufacturer. Enjoy! |
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New member Username: HalfemptyCanada Post Number: 9 Registered: Oct-08 | Thanks Frank and Art. I did notice female vocals on the Arcam were a little smoother. I'll try to match the IC's and speaker cable. I was looking into new Chords (as per Frank), but the cost in Canada is prohibitive. I'm keeping the Arcam btw. Cheers |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 3365 Registered: Sep-04 | Did I mention that NAD seem to have a replacement to the C542 called the C545BEE? I haven't heard it and am unlikely to as we seem to be pulling away from NAD, sadly. |
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Bronze Member Username: HalfemptyCanada Post Number: 14 Registered: Oct-08 | Funny, it's not on the NAD website or in Canadian dealers. Has it been launched yet? |
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Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 3381 Registered: Sep-04 | Weird isn't it? It's announced here: http://whathifi.com/News/NAD-launches-Classic-Series-of-affordable-hi-fi-with-35 0-CD-player/ For sale here: http://www.hifigear.co.uk/site/scripts/product_browse.php?product_id=6851 And here, where they also mention a C326BEE amp: http://www.andygilesassociates.co.uk/nad.html What is NAD playing at? Don't they want people to know about their new kit? |
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