Could anyone give me some advice on my low-tech / low-cost requirement.
I've got new Bose Acoustimass 5 Series 3 Speakers (space saving a big consideration here) and am looking for an integreated Stereo Receiver and CD Player. Don't need Home Movie (got that in a separate room) so just need good sound and good CD reproduction to match the speakers.
The NAD also gives you stereo DVD. If you don't want DVD replay, another excellent little machine would be the Onkyo CR505. More robust than the more usual suspects (Denon DM31 for example) and very musical.
NAD L53 is very overpriced for what it is unless the aesthetics is of some value. I have one. I still cannot get past the asthmatic cd/dvd drive.
The ideal thing for you with DAB is the Arcam Solo CD receiver but it is over your price range ($1600 list) unless you can find it at a steep discount. But worth looking for it. It is even more cuter than the NAD L53.