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Silver Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 790 Registered: Feb-04 | People say listening to CDs through a DVD player isn't a good idea. I could get the (now 4 year-old?) NAD 522 pretty cheap (refurb for around C$150 everything included) but the only review I've found isn't good. Opinions? Stay away? |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 785 Registered: Feb-05 | You know Peter I looked all over for info on that CD player and found nothing of any value. I have not heard it myself so I can't say. I can tell you that the C521BEE is a heck of a budget player and has received a whole lot of positive reviews. http://audioholics.audioreview.com/digital-sources/cd-players/NAD/PRD_299771_158 6crx.aspx http://www.nadelectronics.com/reviews/C521BEE_0903.html Hope this helps. |
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Silver Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 791 Registered: Feb-04 | Thanks Art, I figured that you would answer me! I almost just PMed you... :-) The review I found is here: http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/archive/perl/172_printreview.htm I could get it as a refurb with 3 month NAD warranty for about C$150 all inclusive, whereas the C521BEE retails for C$450 (+ 15% taxes). My neighbour does sell NAD however, so maybe I could catch a deal. There are really three issues... (1) My ordinary DVD player does a good job in imaging so I'm not really sure a standalone CD player would make a difference. (2) I wonder if hi-res formats such as HDCD, DVD-A and SACD would make this a moot point anyway. (3) I could buy a C$150 player under the radar now, but a C$500 purchase waits until next year. I just spent thousands on speakers and have promised to not spend anymore this year. |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 788 Registered: Feb-05 | By reading that review I would guess that the C522 was one of NAD's mistakes and I would stay clear of it. It's a model I have never heard of. There may also be refurb C521BEE's. My NAD C542 has HDCD which is great but only a few titles have it. I also have a universal player (Denon DVD2910) great player but still not close to the NAD on redbook playback. I don't know about you Peter but I still have way more CD's than anything else. For a whole lot of reasons, not the least of which is the laser, DVD players simply cannot match the performance of a good dedicated CD player. Perhaps your neighbor can cut you a deal you just can't refuse. |
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Silver Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 799 Registered: Feb-04 | Thanks Art. I'll try to borrow a CD player to see what the fuss is all the about. Another neighbour has a Rotel has was very expensive 5 years ago or so. Is that a good reference? Or has technology rendered it obsolete? |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 791 Registered: Feb-05 | Doing some more research it appears that the NAD 522 is a pretty old model mid to late 90's and did fair well in some reviews. But I would still stay far away from a plyer that long in the tooth. Much has changed and players have improved immensely since then. Here are a few mentions of the 522. Some links aren't reviews of the 522 but read on and you will find it. http://www.nadelectronics.com/reviews/C740-1299.html http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/bgcdplayers.html http://www.audioreview.com/CD+Players/NAD/PRD_117004_1586crx.aspx Verdict stay away from this one as it likely sounds good but is not reliable. By today's standards it may very well not even sound good. Try to get the C521BEE if you can. |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 792 Registered: Feb-05 | Technology may have rendered the Rotel obsolete, but if it is a RCD971 or RCD991 it's a pretty damn good player. I replaced my Rotel RCD971 with my current NAD. Sold the Rotel to my ex wife. It isn't as good as either NAD the C521BEE or the C542 but it should give you an indication of how much better a dedicated player is. The Rotels have great low end slam and very good detail. Where they lack is pacing and articulation particularly with female vocals. |
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Silver Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 803 Registered: Feb-04 | Thanks a lot Art! Will do... |
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Bronze Member Username: BritthoFrisco, TX USA Post Number: 26 Registered: May-05 | Hey Art, I have a similar question for you. How about the NADT562? NAD lists it as a CD and DVD player instead of just listing it as a DVD player. If I could buy one item that did both extremly well would this be the unit to buy? Here is a refurb for sale. http://www.northamptonaudio.com/specials.htm Thanks for any insight. As long as I can get really close to the imaging that the 521 can provide and the DVD capabilities as well in one box then I will go that route. Britt |
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Silver Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 861 Registered: Feb-05 | I'm afraid not. The 1 box solution even for CD/DVD playback doesn't exist for less than you can afford much better dedicated players. The NAD C542 will beat any DVD player up to several times it's price for redbook cd playback. You can get a pretty good DVD player for very little money. |
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Silver Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 632 Registered: Sep-04 | Steer clear of the NAD DVD players. They're not strong competition to what's out there. Regards, Frank. |