NAD C525BEE or NAD C545BEE?

Mass. Wine Guy · « **on:** 26 Oct 2010, 06:26 pm »

I'm thinking about upgrading my Arcam CD-72 CD player. It's fine, but I know there are better ones out there as far as detail and resolution go.

Are the NAD C525BEE or NAD C545BEE good choices in this regard? They sure are well-priced.

Thank you.

jaxwired · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Oct 2010, 06:44 pm »

Hello, I owned the NAD C545bee for quite awhile and it is a fantastic bargain. I compared it to the Rega Apollo which is twice as much and more highly rated and preferred the NAD. The NAD is unbeatable for the price. Never heard the 525 and it could be completely different. I also owned the NAD C565 and also preferred the cheaper 545. Highly recommended.

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Oct 2010, 06:57 pm »

If you're looking for detail and resolution in that price range check out the Emotiva ERC-1. It lets you hear deep into the recording. It has more resolution than my Adcoms GCD 600 & 700, Arcam Alpha MCD & Sony 2000ES but less warmth. I've never heard the NAD cdps but I like their amps.

Mass. Wine Guy · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Oct 2010, 12:37 am »

Then again, my Arcam got great reviews in its day. Are the ones I'm considering just more technologically up to date?

Mariusz · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Oct 2010, 01:53 am »

maybe DAC could help?

dB Cooper · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Oct 2010, 01:59 am »

I had a NAD 525BEE and was well impressed with it, especially detail and dynamics but a wee bit "hard" sounding and probably best with other gear that does not accentuate those tendencies. Tube users might like it more than SS owners . Overall a very very good value. YMMV.

kingnubian · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Oct 2010, 02:00 pm »

I've had NAD, Mission, YBA, and others. Presently I still only have my HK HD7500 which was good in its day but I feel it's time for an upgrade.
I am very interested in the Emotiva ERC-1 mentioned earlier in this thread. Being in Canada I did contact Emotiva about their warranty process for non U.S. purchases the response was:

"5 years parts support of which a technician of your choice may install the component for with technical procedures included if needed.

Thank you for your support."

Seems ok to me but I really want to know more about this product with respect to it's performance, reliability, ect. This would go along with my SDS-254 amp & Pass B1 Buffer.

Rclark · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Oct 2010, 06:12 pm »

I own the ERC-1 and it is a really great cd player, it's packed with tech for the money (internet direct sales only, and I believe they own the factory as well, so you get quite a value), fully segmented power supply, very solid build, but very good looking in real life, brushed aluminum face on the chassis, and very regal all-metal remote built to last and certainly one you enjoy leaving out instead of wanting to hide (like many flimsy plastic remotes), it's a conversation piece all its own.

The sound quality is as described above: super detailed and revealing. I guess they leave the colorations and flavorings up to you and your other components. But I get a very enjoyable sound, full range clean and crisp from top to bottom, with lots of punch.

I was looking at NAD's too, but for $399 with a 5 year warrantee for a newer-tech player, and a player that competes well above its price due to the company's business model, you can't go wrong.

if you want to know more there are plenty of online reviews. Google is your friend.
Cheap and Cheerful.

Mass. Wine Guy · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 03:26 am »

You've convinced me. Detailed, revealing and uncolored are what I want. Thanks.

If you needed warranty service, where do you send it?

Quote from: Rclark on 28 Oct 2010, 06:12 pm

The sound quality is as described above: super detailed and revealing. I guess they leave the colorations and flavorings up to you and your other components. But I get a very enjoyable sound, full range clean and crisp from top to bottom, with lots of punch.

I was looking at NAD's too, but for $399 with a 5 year warrantee for a newer-tech player, and a player that competes well above its price due to the company's business model, you can't go wrong.

Delta Wave · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 04:28 am »

I have the 515BEE and it's outstanding for the price. The only thing I have with it is some CDs sound a lot better when I run it through my Monarchy DIP but most sound better using the on board DAC. I'm guessing it's a CD re-clocking/jitter issue. I like the NAD stuff... they don't play around.

Rclark · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 07:39 pm »

Quote from: Mass. Wine Guy on 29 Oct 2010, 03:26 am

You've convinced me. Detailed, revealing and uncolored are what I want. Thanks.

If you needed warranty service, where do you send it?

You would ship it back to Emotiva, located in Franklin, Tennesee.

Why don't you give them a call?

www.Emotiva.com

kingnubian · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 12:51 am »

Quote from: Rclark on 29 Oct 2010, 07:39 pm

You would ship it back to Emotiva, located in Franklin, Tennesee.

Why don't you give them a call?

www.Emotiva.com

Check my post a few entries earlier. The information I received from Emotiva was with respect to my inquiry about warranty service for Canadian buyers but may be of use to others.

Rclark · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 01:06 am »

Hey I read it, and that's neat how they do that. Say, you and I are gonna have pretty similar setups, although if I end up going with preamp it will definitely be the Dodd buffer. I'm interested in the SDS254 amp but have found less expensive options to explore at the moment.

Not to derail the thread, but I think he chose a player anyway. Good luck with your ERC1 OP, you're going to love it.

motosapien · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Nov 2010, 09:58 am »

I've had a 545BEE for over a year now and I like it. I run it through a Grant Fidelity tube processor to the rest of my NAD stack and it is a very engaging and deep player. You could spend more and get less. I've recently been playing it with some new Coniston^2 speakers which are quite revealing and it sounds good with them too.

guest1632 · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Dec 2010, 03:49 pm »

Quote from: motosapien on 13 Nov 2010, 09:58 am

I've had a 545BEE for over a year now and I like it. I run it through a Grant Fidelity tube processor to the rest of my NAD stack and it is a very engaging and deep player. You could spend more and get less. I've recently been playing it with some new Coniston^2 speakers which are quite revealing and it sounds good with them too.

Ok, I'll bite, how much is that NAD 545, and why did you prefer that to the 565?

To be lazy, I read somewhere, but can't seem to find it, but the Virtual piano 1 supposedly sounds better than the Emottiv. Both fortunately here in the US. The Piano is more detailed, and supposedly more natural sounding versus the Emotiv. But for $400, you can't beat it. The thing with the Piano 1 is also you can customize the case. The piano is if memmory serves me right is about $600? or so.

Ray Bronk

Blooze · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Dec 2010, 04:50 am »

I bought a 521BEE cdp and a 320BEE amp at the same time a little over two years ago. Promptly a month after the warranty expired the cdp started giving me fits. Won't do an initial read 75% of the time. Once it reads a disc and gives me total time it will play fine and skip from track to track, but I don't want to have to load a CD 30 times to get it to read. (tried all the tips I could get to make it work and nothing changed). So, in my opinion, the 521BEE leaves something to be desired as far as build quality goes. When it works it sounds nice for no more than it costs. The amp on the other hand just rocks for the price.

BrysTony · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Dec 2010, 05:10 am »

I have had a NAD 545BEE for quite awhile and I think it is an excellent player and I recommend it. Recently I started using it as a transport, running its' digital output through a Bryston BDA-1 DAC and I am totally satisfied with the sound.

9

Mass. Wine Guy · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Dec 2010, 05:15 am »

I've read several comments of NAD CD players malfunctioning. Looks like quality control has slipped a lot.

Blooze · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Dec 2010, 05:26 am »

Quote from: Mass. Wine Guy on 14 Dec 2010, 05:15 am

I've read several comments of NAD CD players malfunctioning. Looks like quality control has slipped a lot.

In my case that was/is it. Too bad because the unit sounds very good. Maybe just poor lasers?

jasoncroft · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jan 2011, 04:33 pm »

i've had both Nad's you mention and an arcam 72
to my ears there is not really a huge diffirence.
i think if your going to upgrade the cost has to be worth it.
I think the arcam has a cleaner sound and more crisp myself
though the Nad seems to have a really good midrange
but the difference is not huge.
saying that it is best you just demo as your ears may not agree with me.

NAD C525BEE or NAD C545BEE?

guest1632