NAD C542 CD-player
Just over a year past the C541i, the NAD C542's forerunner, was under review. It had been uncovered to be a noticeable progress on the much-lauded C541, itself a significant step on. To save time when the C543 comes out simply add one to all version numbers and keep this review on file referred to below.
At the costs we are discussing here, it is rather remarkable.
The C542 isn't a clone of the C541/541i - look carefully and subtle differences become clear. The newest version is painted a color that was somewhat lighter, has rounded corners on the leading panel, as well as the rock-switch fashion controls for track skip and fast forward are actually different buttons. The transportation that is revised reacts more rapidly. Last but not least, the remote is to which the player responds more easily than it did to the lopsided parallelogram of old and a brand new layout. Not one of this alters the fact we are still considering a lightweight gray carton possessed of very little 'look-at-me' attractiveness.
Inside, HDCD decoding and 24-bit DACs by Burrbrown are kept. While parts in the circuit happen to be updated really, the fundamental circuit layout is exactly the same. For instance, Nichicon 'Muse' electrolytic capacitors happen to be strategically used, and additional focus was given for both analogue and digital sections to power regulation. Into jitter decrease, that was deserved given the so so performance of the 541i in this respect, renewed effort has gone past the DIY world.
I am going to quote the booklet for the C542: "The accumulative effect of the changes is very remarkable, enhancing low frequency slam and expansion, while keeping the rate and time that the C541i was so lavishly praised. Picture depth and scale are further accentuated while keeping the timbral accuracy and lucid harmonic construction of its own forerunner."
There's undoubtedly added impact in the bass guitar, also it comes with greater feel to boot. I doubt I Have heard more vigorous throb from versions costing three times the NAD. Tracks in the Chemical Brothers' new singles compilation shown the things that was low does not overwhelm what goes on higher up. Star Guitar sounded the stage extremely great and panning effects sailing across an expansive and deep soundstage.
One telling evaluation of a CD player is the way loud its output signal can bear. What I am listening for is the threshold at. Using the top players the music goes before attack of the killer treble, primarily as a result of amp/speaker restrictions to pieces in other manners. This proved to be the case with all the NAD - while keeping elevated rates of fine detail, it was quite limited in the very best end.
Listening to recognizable tracks of varied musical genres, I had been struck by the cleanliness of the output signal of the C542. Reviewers frequently commend a source element that is good when it comes to 'lifted veils' or 'more vibrant colours', however in the sound of the newest NAD player there's simply grime that is less, as though the CDs had themselves been developed to a fresh amount of scrape-free translucence. The effect was reminiscent of uncared for phonograph record given the once over with cleaning machine that is good.
Why in case you spend over the $999? As it would be set by NAD's copywriter, you may discover more precise timbre reproduces and show construction that is harmonic with lucidity that is exceptional. That player's in an entirely different cost league, although the likes of Arcam's FMJ CD33 might possess the advantage in the subtlety positions.
As multi-format players start to appear, we might be considering the past generation of CD-only players in the hifi majors, so it is quite apt that NAD should stop an age with this particular budget star.
