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11-11-2003, 12:04 PM
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#1 of 10 
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Local Time: 02:09 PM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
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Sorry if this repeat of a thread that comes up often. I did a search but didn't find anything. Anyway, I am looking for the best sounding CD player in this price range. It can be a single disc player and can play SACD also , however, I don't have any SACD's at this time and for me to buy a SACD of something I already have on CD then it would have to be really good. I understand that their isn't that much out on SACD anyway. I have seen lots of used players on EBAY and Audiogon but I don't know what I am looking at. What would you suggest?
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11-11-2003, 10:57 PM
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#2 of 10
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Local Time: 02:09 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
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The NAD C541i is a great player that you can get new for around $400.
The Rotel RCD-1070 can be picked up used for around $500 and is another great player.
Another sub $500 player that gets rave reviews is the Music Hall MMF-25.
Musical Fidelity A3 is one of the players at the next level up and can be picked up used for around $650-$700.
If $500 is a hard, upper limit, I would recommend getting the NAD C541i.
None of these play SACD, btw. If you need a SACD player, you might want to check out the Pioneer 563A universal player available for around $175 new.
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11-12-2003, 01:43 AM
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#3 of 10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Local Time: 04:09 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
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I'm picking up a NAD c541i or c521i. They have received very good reviews. They both sounded very good for the price. The c541i was very good sounding. Very clean and detailed. I listen to a couple of other cd player in the $2000cnd range and the NADs held there own. I put a deposit down on a c521i already. They were sold out of both and I can change my mind once they arrive. Might go with the c541i for it better DACs and HDCD decoding. FYI, I got quoted $600cnd for the c541i, and $400cnd for the c521i. Both with 7% tax included. This equals to a %17 and %20 discount off retail.
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11-12-2003, 07:23 AM
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#4 of 10
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Local Date: 10-11-2008
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Thanks,
I have seriously looked the NAD's. I really don't know what the difference is in the 541 and the 521 though.
Do they sound any different?
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11-12-2003, 07:31 AM
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#5 of 10
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Local Time: 04:09 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
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Picked up a c521i myself. Good discounts available on NAD stuff from Saturday Audio. Got the 521 for 199 + 25 ship.
saturdayaudio.com
-Mike
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11-12-2003, 01:51 PM
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#6 of 10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Local Date: 10-11-2008
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They sounded very similar. And this was on a couple of HDCD ecoded disc. The c541i seem smoother and more detailed then the c521i. They might sound the same if your using it as a transport and by passing the internal DACs. Since most of the new chinese CD coming out are HDCD encoded, I might as well get a c541i. I'm going to relisten to them before I buy.
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11-12-2003, 07:41 PM
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#7 of 10
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Member
Location: Singapore
Join Date: May 2003
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I think the 521 doesn't decode HDCDs whereas the 541 does
>
DVD-A registry for hirez/surround audio
Bluray, DVD-Audio, DAD/HDAD, DualDisc, MVI
<
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11-12-2003, 08:17 PM
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#8 of 10
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Member
Join Date: Feb 1999
Local Time: 04:09 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 2,375
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You also might consider the Sony 222 ES or 555 ES CD/SACD players. They are well built and are good performers for Red Book and SACD.
They were pretty expensive when they first came out, but can now be found for a reasonable sum on the used market.
DJ
Lecktor: Then how did you catch me?
Graham: You had disadvantages.
Lecktor: What disadvantages?
Graham: You're insane.
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11-12-2003, 11:28 PM
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#9 of 10
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Member
Location: San Jose, Ca.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Local Time: 03:09 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 11,228
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I picked up the 222 off Audiogon for $300 used and it is an excellent player. You may still be able to get the 222 new from a few vendors who still had some left over inventory for $500.
"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain
HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB
Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX
Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans
My DVDs  My HT
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11-13-2003, 04:24 PM
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#10 of 10
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Member
Location: The Great Indoors
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 2,094
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Quote:
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Musical Fidelity A3 is one of the players at the next level up and can be picked up used for around $650-$700.
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I too was going to suggest this player if you can afford it. I've had mine for a almost 2 years now and it is one of the most solid pieces in my system, both physically and quality-wise. It is a revealing player as far as musical details, but is also forgiving of lesser-quality recordings.
"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz
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