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Question

Nad c546bee vrs Nad 516bee

by Aug 18, 2016 7:21AM PDT

I am looking for a CD player and have narrowed it down to these two but I am wondering if the c546bee is that much better for the cost. This one one be at the very top.of my budget. All feedback will.be.most appreciated.

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4 Posts
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Answer
I'll go that it won't matter to me.
by Forum moderator Aug 18, 2016 9:32AM PDT

There are audiophiles that can "hear" if the speaker wire has oxygen in the copper. For those folk, it matters. For me, either would be the pinnacle of this passing format.

Remember that AudioCD is digital so the same bits are now in many devices. Today I use a receiver and the content was digitally bit for bit the same copied off the CD so I see no reason to pay for either Nad player.

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NAD C546BEE vrs NAD C516BEE
by MIGIOEB Aug 18, 2016 10:45AM PDT

Thank you for your input but you lost me when you said "I use a reciever" I run my CD player through my reciever and it has no depth and small sound stage. I did hear a disc through a C516BEE and the music was lively with a great sound stage. Like you I don't want spend unnecessary money but on the other hand don't. Mind spending a little bit more for a better component. Thanks again. Maybe there is someone that has experience with these 2 players. Thanks

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Good hunting.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 18, 2016 4:51PM PDT

There are less and less folk "investing" in such gear. The difference you hear must be in how the digital bits were treated after they hit the DAC. In my receiver it has a fine DAC and it's been well discussed how 2 dollars is enough for a good DAC (at the chip level.)

To avoid analog issues, even if I had a CD player I'd connect it to the receiver over optical or SPDIF.

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Answer
I say $200 more,
by Aug 18, 2016 4:36PM PDT

it has to be better. But since you like the sound of the 516, then I say save the $200.

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