What CD player please ??? Really stuck

[knobby1]

Hi Guys, I have a shortlist of 3 players, cambridge audio azur 540,nad 515bee and marantz 5001.
Most reviews i have read are about sound quality which is important but equally important to me is reliability and the ability to read copied discs.So any ideas which to choose? Please help I'm really stuck?

Thanks in advance

[gsrai]

Hi, welcome to the forum

I've moved this to the 2-channel debate section as you are more likely to get a response here.

[Uncle Bob]

All of these players will happily read cd-r and cd-rw discs, the NAD will play back MP3 files if that's a feature you need.

NAD have a decent reputation for reliability and I would think that the Marantz and Cambridge would be pretty good too. If you really want peace-of-mind, Richer Sounds will extend the warranty to 5 years for an extra 10% of the purchase price and will even refund the 10% at the end of the five years if you don't claim.

[Injector]

I'd go for the Cambridge or the NAD (the latter being my own preference). Modern budget Marantz equipment can have a bit of a short lifespan. All new machines will play cdr/rw these days.

[Q]

There should be no substitute for listening to your shortlist of items in your system in your room.

Whichever sounds best to your ears is what you should go with - surely?

As for reliability - you automatically get twelve months (on new equipment) by law - even those with enviable reputations can produce a rogue unit, so checking out aftersales may be a wise route for you?

[Homosexualus Maximus]

I was looking at the nad c515 a few weeks ago as a match for my nad amp. There were two "consumer" reviews on the nad website and they were both critical of the build quality and reliability.

Funnily enough these have now been removed and replaced with glowing what hifi reviews. curious !

I'd go for the cambridge audio and richers supercare which ireally is a no brainer

[Davewhityetagain]

knobby1 wrote:

Hi Guys, I have a shortlist of 3 players, cambridge audio azur 540,nad 515bee and marantz 5001.
Most reviews i have read are about sound quality which is important but equally important to me is reliability and the ability to read copied discs.So any ideas which to choose? Please help I'm really stuck?

Thanks in advance

rather than them (dont know there price) how about a Naim CD5i ?

[antonbhoy]

I had the Nad for a while, and sold it as I found it to be a bit on the boring side. Out of the three I prefer the Marantz. I think Richers still offer the 30 day money back guarantee, so try them and if you don't like take em back. (check first though).

[JANDL100]

Welcome to the Wigwam, knobby.

It's traditional around here to decide on the budget and then spend at least 30% or so more ... so, go on, git yourself a Cambridge 840 cdp- you know it makes sense!

See Earl's Wigwam reviewHERE