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NAD C540 player is dying. Replacement?

After many years of great sound, my C540 is adding its own mix of sounds to my music via clicks, pops, and skips. I've taken it apart to clean, etc., but to no avail.

So...... time for a new player.

The new player will be joining a custom tube preamp, a PSE Mark IV amp, and Thiel 1.5 speakers. Music is primarily jazz.

Unfortunately, the nearest showroom that has decent equipment is all at least 1-1/2 hours away. I could go and listen, but will not easily be able to hear equipment in my system.

I've been reading lots of other posts and wondering if anyone can offer other insights, especially with my other equipment.

I've enjoyed the sound of my old NAD so am considering the 565 BEE.

Sometimes I see Rega Apollo demos at a reasonable price and wonder about this player.

Additionally, I've heard/read about the Cambridge 740 (I think) and a player from Emotiva (ERC-2).

I'm looking for something that will not be fatiguing, presents well recorded cds realistically for staging, and just sounds good. I'm hoping that the next player will be provide some improvement over the C540.

Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated.
hi4head
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,578 posts
 
I have used a Rega Apollo since it was introduced in a system with a Prima Luna Prologue 2 tube integrated and Ascend Acoustics Sierra Ones (currently).

The Rega does a lot of things right and has some interesting technology to it. From the Stereophile review ...

"Each time the user loads a new disc, the Apollo reads the whole of the CD's subcode data into memory, analyzes it and then selects the most appropriate of four levels of error correction. That way, the music is never overcorrected per se, and the integrity of the original datastream is kept intact to the greatest extent possible."

I find the Apollo has a smooth sound with just enough detail. I have never found it fatiguing. In 5+ years of ownership, I have had no problems with the unit.

I am in the market for a CD player for another system and the Rega's top loader would not work. I have been looking at the Marantz CD6004.

Rich
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,515 posts
 
Hey Hi4head, sounds like Rar1 is trying to sell his Rega.
timlub
1,649 posts
 
A great time to look at Computer Audio, inexpensive DAC's beat out the sound of your respected NAD. Put thousands of cd's on one source, access material in seconds and never get up.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,578 posts
 
Hey TP:

Sorry, the Rega Apollo is not for sale, nor is the Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24 in the living room system. I have been using a SONY blu-ray player with my Outlaw RR2150 in my bedroom system and I was thinking about replacing the SONY with the Marantz CD6004. In addition to the positive reviews on the Marantz, I was also interested in it, because it is made in Japan.

I have been very happy with the Rega. In 20+ years of owning CD players, it may very well be my favorite CD player.

Rich
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