New member Username: JbrealtyPost Number: 2 Registered: May-08 | Below are the specs of my system .... its biased towards music not HT ... is the Denon good enough to play my music CDs? or would a dedicated player like NAD 525, 542 or Cambridge's 540 v2 produce noticeable differences on my system that would be worth the cost of the dedicated CD player? Thanks for the input! Joe 2 Channel Audio/Video System Panasonic TH-50PX60U HD 50" Plasma NAD 720BEE Amp Denon DVD 1930CI DVD/CD Player Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 Main Speakers REL T1 Subwoofer Canare 4S11 Speaker Cable, Bi-wired Sanus Steel Monitor Stands |
New member Username: JbrealtyPost Number: 3 Registered: May-08 | sorry for the double post ignore the thread below and respond in this one |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 2737 Registered: May-05 | Joeseph, I own the same DVD player. IMO, its not a very good CD player for music. It sounds a bit dull and lifeless to me. Its main intent is movies, and I think it excells at that. The upscaling is excellent. I don't own any SACDs, so I have no comment on that. I have it connected to my system, and there's no comparison to my Rega Apollo. I used to own an NAD 320BEE (same as your receiver) and an NAD 523 CD changer. The changer sounded better for music and it was about 10 years older, if that's any indication. All of the CD players you mentioned should be an obvious improvement. I'm not surte how the Cambridge CD player would sound from a synergy standpoint, but the NADs will have an obvious synergy. The 542 is the best of the bunch, and obviously costs more. You should hear a definite improvement over the lower end NADs, but if its worth it is up to you to decide. I think it is. Your best bet would be to take home a CD player and compare them side by side. Not everyone has the same priorities and listens for the same things. |
Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 10286 Registered: Dec-04 | The 542 is a good match. Good player, if had for the right price. The Apollo would be my 2nd choice, but a long step away from the 542 for that set. Check out your room and your speaker placement before you try players man, unless you alreday have. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 2750 Registered: May-05 | I didn't mean to imply that an Apollo should be paired up with a 720BEE. I think that's a waste of money if he plans on keeping the 720BEE. The 720BEE will however show differences and improvements from the 542 to the Apollo. My 320BEE showed them when I hooked my Apollo up to it. But again, the price difference between the 542 and Apollo is not worth it if they're being played through a 720BEE for the long haul. |
Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 10287 Registered: Dec-04 | That was about my assessment, Stu, if I worded it wrong. The Apollo would be my second choice, but somewhat different from the all NAD setup, and at a cost. |
New member Username: JbrealtyPost Number: 4 Registered: May-08 | So I guess I should go with a 542 ... if I sell off the the 720bee for separates/integrateds and go with the Apollo that will significantly change the budget of this sytem I guess you guys like the waferdales and rel ... no negative comments on those yet ;) At least I didnt go with a Bose all in one like most of my friends did .... |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 2756 Registered: May-05 | The 720BEE is an excellent reciever for the money. I can't think of a better one for the same price. Its also very flexible. I don't have much experience with your speakers, but Wharfedale makes a quality product overall. They pair up very well with NAD IMO. Another good thing about getting an NAD CD player is that your 720BEE's remote will control it, thereby lessening the amount of remotes on your lap. Your best bet is to go to a shop and compare the different CD players. The difference between the 542 and 525BEE may not be enough to justify the exrta $200 or so. Maybe it is. Only you can answer that. |
Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1876 Registered: Oct-04 | The NAD C515BEE for $235 (refurb.) might be well worth a listen http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/C515BEE.asp |
Gold Member Username: Mike3Wylie, Tx USA Post Number: 1311 Registered: May-06 | Hmmm, now I know why nobody else responded to the other post...duh! |
New member Username: JbrealtyPost Number: 5 Registered: May-08 | OK I decided to use a dedicated CD unit to play my music CDs I got a good deal on a slightly used Cambridge ... should have it soon ... do you guys think this player will make a noted quality difference in music playback through my system? The NAD seems to have plenty of clean power to play my speakers so I think Ill keep it for now, but I may decide to get a Cambridge integrated down the road for an all British audio system updated specs: 2 Channel Audio/Video System Panasonic TH-50PX60U 50" Plasma Denon DVD 1930CI DVD/CD Player NAD 720BEE Amp Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 Main Speakers w/ Canare 4S11 Speaker Cable, Bi-wired REL T1 Subwoofer Sanus 26" Steel Monitor Stands Coming Soon: Cambridge 640c V2 w/ Blue Jeans LC-1 Stereo Audio Cables |
Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1879 Registered: Oct-04 | That will be a very neat set-up, congratulations. |
New member Username: JbrealtyPost Number: 6 Registered: May-08 | OK I got the Cambridge. There is a notable difference in SQ. The music soulds a bit more real and full, can hear little nuances that werent there before. Imaging seems better too. I think I may be good for now. The NAD 720 seems to be doing the job with my 9.1s not sure upgrading the amp would make much of a noticable difference with my other current specs. 2 Channel Audio/Video System Video: Panasonic TH-50PX60U 50" Plasma Denon DVD 1930CI DVD Player Audio: NAD C 720BEE Stereo Amplifier Cambridge Audio 640c V2 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 Monitors REL T1 Subwoofer Blue Jeans LC-1 Stereo Audio Cables Canare 4S11 Speaker Cable, Bi-wired Sanus 26" Steel Monitor Stands |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 7013 Registered: Feb-05 | Looks like a good system. |
Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 10349 Registered: Dec-04 | JB, that looks like a well balanced system. Have you worked very hard on speaker placement and room acoustics? That might...might be the free finishing touch. |
New member Username: JbrealtyPost Number: 7 Registered: May-08 | I am moving in July. Right now I am auditioning the equipment in my bedroom. I have played with placement, etc. a bit; But I am going to pay alot more attention when I move this to my new living room. I think speaker placement and setting up the REL sub properly will make a nice final touch. Then, later on, if I get the upgrade bug I can go for an integrated amp and maybe some floorstanders |