NAD M55 vs. Marantz SA15; Recent Comparison of two other players - JoshT - Digital Drive

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NAD M55 vs. Marantz SA15; Recent Comparison of two other players

In Reply to: CD player for $2K posted by AKopac on August 13, 2006 at 12:58:01:

I am curious to hear your impression of each of these two players, as they are on my short list too and I see you have them on opposite ends of your enjoyment spectrum.
Yesterday I auditioned the following three players at a local dealer on a system that was close to the same as my system (but in a room not remotely similar):
NAD M55
McCormack UDP-1 (Conrad Johnson Edition)
Krell Standard (new version)
I have to say I like them all and, given the price difference, considered the M55 the best deal, but here is how I would characterize the differences:
1. The NAD seemed to emphasize the bottom end the most.
2. The McCormack seemed the most open and airy.
3. The Krell seemed the smoothest and most refined, while maintaining nice pace and musicality.
The differences were subtle and I liked them all. All of them did a great job on both well recorded CDs and some of my more challenging CDs compared to my Rotel RCD 971 (though I say that from memory as it was at home). Given the price differential and my general desire to keep costs under control, I'm leaning towards the NAD (but that CJ edition McCormack would sure look nice with my Premier 17LS and MF2250 preamp and amp!).
Next step would be a home audition so that I can hear them in my own system and really compare them to my existing Rotel RCD 971.
I may be able to home audtion a Marantz SA8001 (even cheaper) and SA-15, but not sure yet. How would you say the SA-15 compares to the NAD?

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - CD player for $2K - AKopac 12:58:01 08/13/06 (9)

NAD M55 vs. Marantz SA15; Recent Comparison of two other players - JoshT 07:09:42 08/14/06 (2)

Re: NAD M55 vs. Marantz SA15; Recent Comparison of two other players - AKopac 10:23:39 08/14/06 (1)

Ooops, thanks, that does sound familiar - JoshT 10:29:10 08/14/06 (0)

Quad 99 - Frihed89 05:27:45 08/14/06 (0)

Re: CD player for $2K - George Mann 23:26:30 08/13/06 (0)

A few more options - nathan_klassen 22:36:35 08/13/06 (1)

Re: A few more options - jimmycj 10:41:33 08/14/06 (0)

Re: CD player for $2K - Bertie_Livingston 19:09:51 08/13/06 (0)

Re: CD player for $2K - MusicLover 15:45:12 08/13/06 (0)

Follow Ups

NAD M55 vs. Marantz SA15; Recent Comparison of two other players - JoshT 07:09:42 08/14/06 (2)

Re: NAD M55 vs. Marantz SA15; Recent Comparison of two other players - AKopac 10:23:39 08/14/06 (1)

Ooops, thanks, that does sound familiar - JoshT 10:29:10 08/14/06 (0)

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