Cambridge or Nad

[nbaptista]

A friend of mine wants to buy a cd player and asked me which was better,Nad or Cambridge.I really don´t know,so I would like your opinion,to say him something in order to help.What are the main differences,between the two brands?

[Techno Commander]

What budget does he have to spend?

[nbaptista]

What budget does he have to spend?

400€ or 500 €

[Ali Tait]

He could get something quite nice secondhand for that kind of money I think.

[Reid Malenfant]

He could get something quite nice secondhand for that kind of money I think.
No kidding, a nice Marantz CD63 KI Signature & enough cash left over for some serious modifications :lol:

Or something even better secondhand off of fleabay on a good day ;)

[Techno Commander]

I wouldn't bother looking at NAD or Cambridge if he has that to spend.

[nbaptista]

I wouldn't bother looking at NAD or Cambridge if he has that to spend.

So what should he look at?

[Stratmangler]

Squeezebox Touch with a 1TB USB HDD and rip all his CDs;)

[Reid Malenfant]

So what should he look at?
I'd say be patient & look out for a decent top flight player from a good manufacturer at a good price secondhand ;) Obviously this wouldn't suit but as an example i picked up my present (& hopefully last) transport, a Krell DT10 for £500 + delivery. This was a £10,000 transport when new :eek: They usually sell for over £1800 so i was rather lucky, patience is a virtue :lol:

I'd suggest a good look round a few hifi review sites at decent Euro 2000 new players & then go looking & see what you can find. It's only a question of time, as i say - be patient ;)

[Techno Commander]

There is a Pioneer PD91 fitted with a Trichod clock for £400. You would be hard pressed to get better for that price.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7054

[aquapiranha]

You could get a lovely Meridian for that kind of money, However, as mentioned I would probably now go for a Squeezebox and a HDD.

Steve

[DSJR]

If the person wants a CD PLAYER, then new, I'd get either a Rega Apollo, or a Cambridge, simples...

That PD91 is an amazingly well built machine, but can the laser be replaced if it should fail? It's well over 20 years old and that's the only proviso I'd have..

Old used Meridians you can take pot luck with as it seemed for a while that every few months there'd be "massive improvements" which needed dem stock to be turned round. Not for me I'm afraid and they seem to have entered the boutique market these days - personal opinion..

CD63KI? - Do leave off - bloomin' pile of jitter bound dog poo and most will have knackered mechs by now anyway. I bet a sub £100 Richer Sounds special offer would easily see it off and come with a warranty as well.......

[Ali Tait]

Aye,I was going to suggest a Rega,but again I'd recommend a Squeezebox.

[Techno Commander]

There seems to be new lasers available from ebay @$150.

[sparrow]

Nad...good sound and affordable.

[The Grand Wazoo]

It occurs to me that the person looking for this piece of kit is not into hi-fi like we are (otherwise why wold they be asking the question?) So they probably want to buy something new, with a warranty and without the need to build the cost of repairs or modifications into a budget.

I'd be recommending a visit to a dealer myself. If it had to be done without the dealer & on recommendation alone, of the two, I'd go for the Cambridge.

[nbaptista]

If it had to be done without the dealer & on reommendation alone, of the two, I'd go for the Cambridge.
Yes,but why the Cambridge?

[trailer]

I'll second the Cambridge too. But I'm possibly biased:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6865

[DSJR]

NAD is good and cheap, but looks poo IMO. Cambridge these days is at least as good and IMO looks better.

Some vintage NAD CD players are very good, especially the 53/54** series' players, which always sounded clearer to me than the soft and warm basic models.

[nbaptista]

Ok guys thank for your feedback,
I will tell my friend to search for an Apollo , a Squezeebox or a Cambridge!
Or go for 2nd hand

[Ali Tait]

Well that's narrowed his options down! :lol:

[John]

Well that's narrowed his options down! :lol:

Yes came in with 2 options and left with 3 The wonders of Forums:lol:

[Ali Tait]

Aye never ask a forum for an opinion on something!

[DSJR]

The Apollo is a stunningly good machine with great service backup from the manufacturers. The Klotz based Couple interconnect should be auditioned with it too, as this is what Rega would have used (it's ESSENTIAL for the old Planet player IMO). The Mark Grant HD1000 should be perfect too, as it majors on bass extension rather than screaming spitty treble "deeeetail" as many of the sub £100 cables do...