Nad C542

My opinion is that its very good, especially when you compare it to DVD players. It's as good if not better than DVD players 4-5 times it's price. I use to own one. Yeah there is and I have heard better, but they are all more expensive. To me it had good rhythm and timing which is important for rock music. It's main competitor would have to be the CA 640C V2. I've never heard one so i don't know how it compares.

As I mentioned in another thread, I have this player as well as tubed output Cary 308-T. In most respects I find it to be virtually the equal of the 3.5x more expensive Cary in actual sound quality. On HDCD encoded discs, it is, in my opininion, even better. The only drawback (boring appearance aside) is a little bit louder running (mechanical) noise. The result being that the background on the Cary is a tad quieter (you have to have your ear close up to the units while playing to detect this). Early on, I auditioned the NAD vs the Arcam 73T and the Rotel 1072. I chose the NAD because it was cheaper and that it sounded just as good as the others. In my opinion, NAD has ahieved quite a lot with this player. It is as good IMHO as units considerably more expensive and you would likely have to spend ridiculous dollars on a player to discern appreciable differences. In fact, I feel that you would better off looking elsewhere to improve your system (amp, speakers, subwoofer etc.) once you purchase something of the quality of the c542. Have fun with the NAD. I don't think you'll be disappointed!!

I am listening to a C542 right now. I've had it for about a month now, and I am enjoying this CDP more and more each day. I spent some time with Arcam, Music Hall and Cambridge (thanks to a very accomodating dealer) and finally decided on the NAD. I am in no way able to discuss the various nuances of the three other manufacturers I also mentioned. I dug out 10 of my favorite CD's and I pressed repeat alot. The NAD won. Much more musical. I found the Arcam a bit "bland" (very scientific audiophile word) for my tastes. The Cambridge wasn't there in terms of build quality, and the dealer was a little high on the Music Hall. I do use this CDP as a dedicated headphone CDP with a tube amplifier. SWEET. I am thinking about another headphone setup and this time I may look towards Rega.

It is my favorite player at this pricepoint along with the Music CD-25,well beside the Bada HT 22 which is in a different world from these players it should cost about $1200 really ,but you can get the CD 5 from av123 with a Onix name on it for $399 and even less if they have a sale.I own the 5411 which is still better than most the players at this pricerange out there its in my 2nd system along with a Nad 320bbee intergrated amp driving my Wharfedale Diamond 8.1s and Onix XL-S,and it sounds great with both.

Let me ask a question about this player.
C542 Specifications
CD, CD-R and CD-RW Compatible
HDCD® Decoder with Automatic Detection
Why no SACD capability?
Why would Nad choose not to have SACD capability?