Looking for a High quality CD Player?

hamzahsh
hamzahsh Posts: 439
edited September 2004 in Electronics
If I've to choose between

NAD C542 or
Cambridge Audio Azur 640C

Which one should I go for, I'm looking for a high quality sound. My budget is $700 Canadian Dollars.

OR is there any other brand you can recommend.
Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
Polk Audio CS400i (center)
Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
Post edited by hamzahsh on
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Comments

  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited September 2004
    I'd get the NAD between those two. I really like my "lowly" NAD C521!

    You might also want to check out the Arcam CD63 or a used Arcam CD73, both very good players. I've also read a lot of good things about the new Rotel RCD-1072.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited September 2004
    That is a win-win proposition. Both great players; i do admit a bias towards the Cambridge because I owned the D500SE, and it was a wonderful player. It seems the 640C is following in it's foot steps and then some.

    If I were buying, it would be the Cambridge. The costruction is just a little bit better (I felt) on the Cambridge--which edged it out for me when I was also looking at the NAD.

    As a note, the 640C uses the same DAC as the highly regarded Rega Planet 2000.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,256
    edited September 2004
    http://www.audioshop.on.ca/cambridgedigital.htm

    this is a shop here in Ottawa
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by steveinaz
    As a note, the 640C uses the same DAC as the highly regarded Rega Planet 2000.

    Hey Troy, isn't that the CD player we heard with the ProAc's?
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by Zero
    Music Hall CD-25

    Absolutely!, another giant killer at a good price. And the Ah! Njoe Toeb 4000 at $699.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • PolknPepsi
    PolknPepsi Posts: 781
    edited September 2004
    I've not seen a Cambridge or a NAD..........I have been considering a Denon only to match existing componets. Feedback from the experienced is and will be interesting.

    Good Luck !......................:D
    Denon #2900, Denon stereo receiver, Conrad Johnson Sonographe 120 amp, Blue Jeans cables, and Klipsch RF-7's
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited September 2004
    Some great CD Players can be found in the $350-$700 range that will give $1000 and up players a serious run for their money. Here's a few:

    1. NAD C-540 series
    2. Cambridge Audio D500SE, Azur 640C
    3. Rega Planet 2000 (used)
    4. Ah! Njoe Toeb
    5. Music Hall MMF-25
    6. Sony ES series
    7. Vintage 18-bit Yamaha "900" series (used)

    ...I'm sure there are more.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2004
    Also check out Rotel RCD 1072 for $699.00
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited September 2004
    Thanks guys for the input, I'll look forward to both NAD C542 and CA Azur 640C CD player.

    My another question is, how would I know if I'm using CD player's DACs or my A/V/Pre/Pro DACs. I heard that when you use Analog outputs you're using CD player's DACs but if you're using Optical or Coaxial output you're using A/V/Pre/Pro DACs. Which is better and why?

    Tell me if I'm wrong.

    :confused:
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by hamzahsh
    Thanks guys for the input, I'll look forward to both NAD C542 and CA Azur 640C CD player.

    My another question is, how would I know if I'm using CD player's DACs or my A/V/Pre/Pro DACs. I heard that when you use Analog outputs you're using CD player's DACs but if you're using Optical or Coaxial output you're using A/V/Pre/Pro DACs. Which is better and why?

    Tell me if I'm wrong.

    :confused:

    C'MON Guys Answer my Question?

    Who knows!
    :mad:
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by hamzahsh
    C'MON Guys Answer my Question?

    Who knows!
    :mad:

    Cambridge Audio.

    Analog = CDP DAC
    Digital = AVR/ Pre-Amp DAC

    Analog vs Digital is completely your decision. It's a loaded question because it's 50/50 in general opinion. I prefer analog, and digital coaxial output for DTS only. I have no interest in optical and do not like the performance in my listening enviroment.

    Good luck.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2004
    I heard that when you use Analog outputs you're using CD player's DACs but if you're using Optical or Coaxial output you're using A/V/Pre/Pro DACs.
    This is correct...so the issue become which has the better DAC...or in reality which one sounds better to you. Good CDPs ususally have pretty good DACs...but so do good pre/pros.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited September 2004
    Thanks guys!
    :D
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by gmorris
    Hey Troy, isn't that the CD player we heard with the ProAc's?
    yes sir!
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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