Upgrade suggestions from NAD Amp (C 320BEE) and CD player (T513) ?

bigtyke66 · 11-06-2009, 08:01 AM

I currently have a NAD universal CD player (T513) and NAD (C 320BEE) amp driving a pair of B&W 704 speakers (I love them!). The room is about 20ft square, and I listen to all kinds of music--jazz, blues, rock & classical. I want to upgrade the player and amp. I'm looking in the $1K range for each component, and am considering Cambridge (740A and 740C) and Rega (Apollo player). Any other suggestions/comments gratefully received. Thanks

winged creature · 11-06-2009, 08:28 AM

Rotel RA1520 and the matching cd player

mrt2 · 11-06-2009, 08:29 AM

If you love the sound you have, why are you looking to change it? If you have good synergy, stick with what you have for awhile.

While Rega and Cambridge Audio are fine products, they may offer a different sound, rather than a better sound, if you know what I mean.

bigtyke66 · 11-06-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrt2

If you love the sound you have, why are you looking to change it? If you have good synergy, stick with what you have for awhile.

While Rega and Cambridge Audio are fine products, they may offer a different sound, rather than a better sound, if you know what I mean.

I want to move the NAD components to another location in the house to help with a digital 'studio' I've set up to work with my vinyl collection (a whole other topic). Also the NAD amp has an annoying glitch where the left channel will cut out for hours if I leave the CD player switched on without a disc in it. So I want to take this opportunity to upgrade.

winged creature · 11-06-2009, 09:49 AM

Rotel matches very well with B&W thats why i suggested that pair. Plus it got great reviews in Tone e-magazine and the absolute sound.

socalcm · 11-06-2009, 10:04 AM

Wadia 151 (integrated amp and hi-end DAC) and a Pioneer Elite DV48 or DV58 or Oppo BDP 83.

Baron Von Talbot · 11-06-2009, 01:17 PM

Try Yamaha Natural Sound AS 700 or AS 1000. Stronger and less bright . A perfect amp for what it costs. If you're willing to pay more try a Creek Destiny, Roksan Kandy or Primare I20 amp along the Cambridge and Rega you mentioned already.
The NAIM XS or 5i would be a fine solution as well.

If you also need a good CD player later on why not check out this All-In-One solution I got. As a former owner of various NAD C Class and a Yamaha AS 700 amps I swear the CDi10 sounds classes ahead of these. That stuff is true natural sounding HiFi. The Primare CDi10 injects a dose of excitement and surprise to each track - unlike anything i heard before and that is well worth a few hundred bucks - esp. when you get a great FM/DAB Tuner and headphone amp/mp3 player for free on top. 1149 pounds in the UK, when you search eBay you might find one for under a grand...
If you want to hook up the set to your TV think about the DVI 10 - same with a DVD player instead of a CD player.
Yes it is really that good. Less is more !

bigtyke66 · 11-07-2009, 10:59 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided to go with a NIAM 5i--I got a deal on Audiogon. Now I need to pick up the integrated amp. I didn't hear opinions here on the Cambridge. Would this be a good match for the Niam, or is it best to go now for the matching amp (Niat 5i)? The reviews certainly look good for the Niat. Thanks again.

Wasatch · 11-08-2009, 06:54 AM

I would also suggest the new Rega Intergrated, Primare also has a nice Intergrated.

bigtyke66 · 11-10-2009, 06:28 AM

Thanks everybody for the comments and suggestions. In the end I went for a Naim set-up. The 5i (not 5i) and the NAIM Nait xs-2 amp. Together they were a bit more than my budget, but what the heck, I don't buy this stuff very often

Baron Von Talbot · 11-10-2009, 07:15 PM

Very, very good choice my freind. I am sure you will love it. What types of source will it amplify and what speakers ?
Ah that is both NAIM CD and amp if I read that correct ? Even better choice. So what speakers ?
This will be 2 steps over the NAD gear .
Closer to that Primare CD-Receiver...I use those brand new tiny Toy speakers from Sonus Faber with very good synergy. Two entertainers on the exciting side with a deep understanding of music. Heard they also sound great with the NAIM 5i amp.

bigtyke66 · 11-10-2009, 09:47 PM

I have a pair of B&W 704 speakers. The Naim gear should arrive next week and I looking forward to getting everything set up.

Baron Von Talbot · 11-11-2009, 01:06 PM

Cool !

11-06-2009, 08:01 AM	#1
bigtyke66 New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 5	Upgrade suggestions from NAD Amp (C 320BEE) and CD player (T513) ? I currently have a NAD universal CD player (T513) and NAD (C 320BEE) amp driving a pair of B&W 704 speakers (I love them!). The room is about 20ft square, and I listen to all kinds of music--jazz, blues, rock & classical. I want to upgrade the player and amp. I'm looking in the $1K range for each component, and am considering Cambridge (740A and 740C) and Rega (Apollo player). Any other suggestions/comments gratefully received. Thanks

11-08-2009, 06:54 AM	#9
Wasatch Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Layton, Utah Posts: 322	I would also suggest the new Rega Intergrated, Primare also has a nice Intergrated. __________________ Rega P5 (Coming) Rega Saturn Manley Jumbo Shrimp Rotel RB-1080 B&W CDM 9NT Synergistic Research

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11-06-2009, 08:28 AM	#2
winged creature Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 810	Rotel RA1520 and the matching cd player

11-06-2009, 08:29 AM	#3
mrt2 Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA Posts: 4,581	If you love the sound you have, why are you looking to change it? If you have good synergy, stick with what you have for awhile. While Rega and Cambridge Audio are fine products, they may offer a different sound, rather than a better sound, if you know what I mean.

11-06-2009, 09:49 AM	#5
winged creature Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 810	Rotel matches very well with B&W thats why i suggested that pair. Plus it got great reviews in Tone e-magazine and the absolute sound.

11-06-2009, 10:04 AM	#6
socalcm Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego, USA Posts: 41	Wadia 151 (integrated amp and hi-end DAC) and a Pioneer Elite DV48 or DV58 or Oppo BDP 83.

11-06-2009, 01:17 PM	#7
Baron Von Talbot Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in the heart of Germany Posts: 5,087	Try Yamaha Natural Sound AS 700 or AS 1000. Stronger and less bright . A perfect amp for what it costs. If you're willing to pay more try a Creek Destiny, Roksan Kandy or Primare I20 amp along the Cambridge and Rega you mentioned already. The NAIM XS or 5i would be a fine solution as well. If you also need a good CD player later on why not check out this All-In-One solution I got. As a former owner of various NAD C Class and a Yamaha AS 700 amps I swear the CDi10 sounds classes ahead of these. That stuff is true natural sounding HiFi. The Primare CDi10 injects a dose of excitement and surprise to each track - unlike anything i heard before and that is well worth a few hundred bucks - esp. when you get a great FM/DAB Tuner and headphone amp/mp3 player for free on top. 1149 pounds in the UK, when you search eBay you might find one for under a grand... If you want to hook up the set to your TV think about the DVI 10 - same with a DVD player instead of a CD player. Yes it is really that good. Less is more !

11-07-2009, 10:59 PM	#8
bigtyke66 New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 5	Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided to go with a NIAM 5i--I got a deal on Audiogon. Now I need to pick up the integrated amp. I didn't hear opinions here on the Cambridge. Would this be a good match for the Niam, or is it best to go now for the matching amp (Niat 5i)? The reviews certainly look good for the Niat. Thanks again.

11-10-2009, 06:28 AM	#10
bigtyke66 New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 5	Thanks everybody for the comments and suggestions. In the end I went for a Naim set-up. The 5i (not 5i) and the NAIM Nait xs-2 amp. Together they were a bit more than my budget, but what the heck, I don't buy this stuff very often

11-10-2009, 07:15 PM	#11
Baron Von Talbot Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in the heart of Germany Posts: 5,087	Very, very good choice my freind. I am sure you will love it. What types of source will it amplify and what speakers ? Ah that is both NAIM CD and amp if I read that correct ? Even better choice. So what speakers ? This will be 2 steps over the NAD gear . Closer to that Primare CD-Receiver...I use those brand new tiny Toy speakers from Sonus Faber with very good synergy. Two entertainers on the exciting side with a deep understanding of music. Heard they also sound great with the NAIM 5i amp.

11-10-2009, 09:47 PM	#12
bigtyke66 New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 5	I have a pair of B&W 704 speakers. The Naim gear should arrive next week and I looking forward to getting everything set up.

11-11-2009, 01:06 PM	#13
Baron Von Talbot Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in the heart of Germany Posts: 5,087	Cool !