what cd player to instill a bit more zest please.

hi all need some advice. i have cdms+denon 3802 nad 540 cd player, some cds i find are a bit bright sounding , so i purchased unico hybrid amp to mellow things out a bit.

what i find is that unico enables older cds to sound more listanable than with 3802, but on some slightly more fast paced music the unico seems to lag behind the music somewhat, that the impression i get, in some cases the 3802 sounds better ,"slightly more lively"

i think a change of cd player might be called for as this is the only area i have not tried to change/improve.

cd replay with 540+3802 seems to lack any "exitment"

cd replay with unico ,more mellow but still lacking something.


i am open to suggestions for cd player with a bit more drive /exitment than nad that will work with 3802 or unico budget will be limited to about £400 max


rega is not an option being a top loader cd player.


music tastes dire straights type of genre, no classical or jazz.


thank you

 

Ah....some one after my own heart.

Certain you need a new player ?

You may be able to squeeze some extra milage from the Nad and the rest of your system with a few well placed tweaks.

A better power cable will give a huge boost, new ic's similarly. I've hear that Nad really sings so it may not be the problem.

Thats my field .... I've put a couple of recipes on the DIY section for your benifit. If you need more info give me a PM

 

Hi Michaels,

Welcome to the forum. How about a s/h Rega planet CDP for £275 on hififorsale ?

http://www.adverts.hififorsale.com/home.asp


Another good bang for the buck upgrade would be a DAC. You could probably pick up a s/h Tag DAC20 for £300-350 which would be a nice upgrade, although some people find it a bit safe sounding.

Upgrading your mains is another surefire way of getting better performance from a CDP. Try a Eupen power cord from £50 which many here have found to be an excellent performer.

Cheers, Robbo

 

A lot of people over at headfi seem to think the Planet to be a bit laid back, so I wouldnt know if its the best recommendation. What about a second hand Arcam Alpha 9 CD player? Thats where my money would be going if I had £400...

 

out of left field how about an avondale audio modified arcam alpha 5 / alpha 5+...
take a look at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/avondale/

aa5's are about 100 - 200 quid on epay.
cheers

julian

 

Good suggestion Julian.

Now you have reminded me of the avondale mods, that would be my recommendation.

 

Having heard one now, not to bad at all, gets WM's vote also

 

How about the £380 Rotel CD player?

 

Rotel's CD players aren't the liveliest out there. By some way. They're more smooth and detailed...

 

The one at £380 is pretty lively mate. More lively than the NAD anyway.

 

More laid-back than the clamshell version maybe, but still a PR&T-meister for the money. Doesn't really do bass though. Still one of the best £500 players, imho.

The Jupiter punches harder and deeper but it's double the price.

 

That'll be the RCD-02, and yes it was pretty lively I thought. Actually it had a very nice sound for a new player, dunno how it would stand up against a s/hand Alpha 9 for example, but it had great timing and managed to sound smooth at the same time. But I have read in various places that the 02 is livelier than its pricier brothers...

 

thanks all where can i purchase europen mains lead to try ,can one get refund if no benifit, i assume this lead replaces mains lead fitted to kit? the only problem is 3802+nad have captive leads fitted, the unico has detachable one.


did contact ra regards mains lead adapter +mains lead the £55 lead was sugested you get refund if no differance is found, or is europen a better option.


cd players the rega is a top loader so will cause problems with placement in kit rack.

re the arcam alpha 5 i would really like to be able to demo first prior to purchase if possible, as i have well overspent recently in trying gear at home and finding things have not quite "panned" out sonically.


thank you all