Hi all, this is the story. Most of my CD's sound like crap on my Universal DVD players (have the HK DVD22 and Oppo971H), some well recorded stuff sounds really awesome but 90% sound like thin hollow very edgy and bright pieces of crap, in other words I cannot listen to them.
So, In my wondering I began reading up on stand alone CD players. Of course forums are forums where most people say you can't hear the difference with a blind a/b comparison, and I now know that they have NEVER heard a "good" CD player.

After reviewng several entry level "high end" players I decided on the NAD C542 because it got generally good reviews and most importantly my local HIFI shop let me audition it at home for the night. First of all,the well recorded stuff sounds even better now,even fuller sounding and especially noticeable is the much deeper soundstage and even more detail with the intricate stuff. Now, this is the good part, that 90% of my collection that I couldn't listen to sounds friggin awesome! I could not beleive it, I traded discs back and forth between the Oppo and the NAD and the difference is simply stunning. I have only had a chance to try a few of those crappy discs so far but will pass on my thoughts later as I listen to more of the "horrid" collection.

So, bottom line, I will be taking my demo back today and laying down $700 odd dollars for one of these little beauties. If you have the same issues with your collection, don't take my word as all systems are different but go out and find a dealer that will let you audition without commitment or maybe a BB or CC that sell higher end Dennon CDP and have a good return policy, listen yourself and be prepared to be stunned.

Still shaking my head,

Chris

I'm glad you were able to increase your listening pleasure. Were you using the digital out or analog outs on the players?

I was curious about the same thing recently. I have a 10 year old Sony 5-disc CD player that I used to play my CD's. I know what some of you will tell me, but I was curious if there might be any benefit of looking at a better player?

Randy

Hi guys, I am using the analog outs on the Cd player. Just listened to a few more of the no play list and all I can say is wow!. Billy Joel sounded just wonderfull, used to be really thin and edgy. G&R sounded better but the recording is really bad:(,

Randy, I would see if you can do a non commital audition but i suspect you will hear a huge difference. This unit is just incredible, the vocals and horns are sooooo silky smooth and natural, its just bliss.

I'm one happy boy with a new toy, won't catch me using a DVD player for Cd's any more.

Chris

If you are using the digital out on both players, and using the DA conversion chip in the receiver, both players should sound identical.

If you are using the internal DAC, and running the analogue out on the new CD player, it IS possible that it could sound better.

Shawn, when you come over I will a/b for you, its night and day.
Oppo..digital out using pre/pro DAC. analog sounds horrible.

NAD 542...analog out into CD on pre/pro

Chris

Others will argue differently, but I am definitely in the “players sound different camp”. I have had numerous players on my rack over the past couple years and have been able to distinguish differing sound qualities from them. I have an Integra that I’m currently using for those times when I just want to pop in a disk and listen for a spell. The difference is sound between it and the mega changers is there.

I’d love to get another CD player for my two channel system, but it seams that I’m always too busy buying more important crap. If I were to buy one today, I’d most likely get one of the Cambridge units. They have a new up-sampling player out that looks like a dandy. If I had three or four grand lying about to blow on a player, I'd pick up one of the Marnatz Reference SACD players. It’s doubtful that will ever happen, so the Cambridge will have to do. It’s about $1200.

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=112&Title=Azur+840C

Man, this is confusing stuff.

Doesn't this just mean that the DAC's in the NAD CD player are better than the DAC's in the Emo (since you're using the digital out from the Oppo)? Can it mean anything else?

I'm not arguing. I totally believe that you can discern a preference. I'm just trying to wrap my brain around this.

Thanks for reporting your experience.

Congrats on that NAD cd player. The main sonic attributes you are hearing comes from the higher quality Burr Brown DAC in the NAD compared to the Oppo DAC. The Burr Browns are known for their linearity, very low signal to noise ratio, lower IMD and revealing low level detail.

I have several cd and dvd players and the best sounding one is my Rotel 1072 player which also has Burr Brown DACs.

Hey guys and gals,
Yup, thats all there is to it, the NAD has better dacs than the EMO and better power supply etc than the Oppo, sure sounds good.