NAD C 658 or Cambridge Azur 851N Streamer

https://nadelectronics.com/product/c-658-bluos-streaming-dac/
This Streamer Dac looks like it could give the Cambridge 851N a run for its money both are priced the same, and feature wise it looks like this NAD might be a good choice. I'm in no super rush but plan on one of the 2 sometime soon.

I'm not sure if NAD will be at Apoxona but if need be I might find a NAD dealer in Chicago or drive up to Madison to check one of these out. I probably dont need to use all the features the NAD offers. Has anyone had the opportunity to check the C658 out? I was thinking about the Cambridge unit until I seen the reviews on the NAD.
Home Theater
Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

2 Channel
Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

Stuff for the Head
JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)

Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    wow, that puppy is loaded with all sorts of goodies.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,162
    Little brighter than the 851N. Nice piece Steve. They both are.
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,126
    At first glace they seem pretty comparable, but I think it will all come down to what you're looking for. The 815 seems more like a streamer that could function as a preamp, and has a very serviceable DAC for those that want it.

    The NAD seems like a preamp, that is focused on streaming and being a real one box solution. It seems built to be that one box solution for the growing market of powered speakers in my mind. Plus adding a phono preamp while eliminating a digital out points more towards a true one box push. MQA was a smart marketing addition, and so was using the BluOS. But no DSD, and no digital output will probably be a deal breaker for some.

    Both have a few advantages and trade offs, so I think it's a good option if it checks the right boxes for you.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    edited March 2019
    Failed to see that it plays only converted DSD files, good catch.That wouldn't be a deal breaker for me as my Oppo 105D is fine with DSD files plus SACD playback, plus my Marantz plays SACDs. I have no intrest in downloading DSD files to stream, but I can see where it would be a deal breaker for some. Decisions, Decisions. It's down to one these 2 or maybe a Blusound vault.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,162
    Ahh.. Just get all 3 !!😂😂😂
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    The Nad is billed as a Dac first, so not having the digital output makes sense. Though to me, anything that streams one might want the option of adding different dacs to the mix.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,126
    tonyb wrote: »
    The Nad is billed as a Dac first, so not having the digital output makes sense. Though to me, anything that streams one might want the option of adding different dacs to the mix.
    I think that would be the deal breaker for me. I don't currently use an external dac, but I've heard what one can do so I don't like the idea of limiting that option.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    No wifi on it for the streaming side. Holm Audio by me is a NAD dealer. If I have a shot this weekend, I was going to stop by there anyway. I will check and see if they have one in stock.
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    It has wifi Brian, it's in the specs.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    You sure Tony? I only saw Bluetooth quality Bluetooth aptX HD wireless built-in.

    On some other brands, some headphones and cars, when I see them describe like, Bluetooth "wireless" is not wifi wireless like hit your router. Unless there was another spot or I am reading it wrong.
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Network connectivity
    Gigabit Ethernet RJ45
    WiFi 5 (802.11 b/g/n)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    Thanks Tony. I completely missed that one. I will see if I can go to Holm and check it out possibly put it against the Node.
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    Well NAD, Cambridge, and Blusound all have rooms at Axopona, so I will be on a mission. Bran if you check it out impressions please, I'm just glad I can check them all out in April at the show.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,559
    gudnoyez wrote: »
    Well NAD, Cambridge, and Blusound all have rooms at Axopona, so I will be on a mission. Bran if you check it out impressions please, I'm just glad I can check them all out in April at the show.

    Cambridge told me that they will be demoing their new Alva turntable at Axpona. Hopefully they'll have some of their streaming gear going as well though.
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,162
    edited March 2019
    Or put em all to rest and get yourself a Cambridge Audi Edge NQ 💡I'm sure looking at doing it but I'm slow to change and my 851N is a nice piece.
    Post edited by tophatjohnny on
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    erniejade wrote: »

    WOW, to say he didn't like it much is being polite.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,162
    Or put em all to rest and get yourself a Cambridge Audi Edge NQ 💡I'm sure looking at doing it but I'm slow to change and my 851N is a nice piece.

    Not sure where the Audi part slipped in there ?? Maybe I was typing Azur but don't even know if the Edge NQ is part of that line or not. I'm just knowing the Edge is an intriguing piece and it has me thinking hard.
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    Well if you're steering towards the 851N I may be selling mine.

    Kidding. I love this thing. Imaging is crazy good! It's a keeper for me.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    edited March 2019
    O or put em all to rest and get yourself a Cambridge Audi Edge NQ 💡I'm sure looking at doing it but I'm slow to change and my 851N is a nice piece.

    Just checked this one out drool! :o $4000 is a bit over my budget, I would get %6 off purchasing from World Wide Stereo using the discount from some employee purchase sight through work. It will still be over my budget with the 6% off. I'm looking forward to checking it out.
    https://www.worldwidestereo.com/products/cambridge-audio-edge-nq-preamplifier-with-network-player-c10973
    She's a beauty.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,162
    A bit over my budget too, but it's going to happen when I get a few other things out of the way. 😃
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************