NAD Master Series M5 CD/SACD player...

[pearsall001]

Just looking for some feedback on this player. I can pick up & dealer demo (not in my area, so I haven't heard it) for a really good price. I also am looking at Marantz SA-15 & SA-11S2, Esoteric SA-10 & SA-60. The Marantz & Esoteric models are quite a bit more money than the NAD M5. I always wonder if the difference in price is justified?

Any feedback from NAD M5 owners would be great. And also any other recommendations on CD/SACD players you can throw out would be appreciated.

Merry Christmas & thanks

 

[jostenmeat]

I've heard that player is supposed to be superb with both redbook and SACD. However, Esoteric players are just worshipped by some. People that are at this type of price point would definitely vote Esoteric, if I was to venture a guess. I've heard good things about certain other very expensive players, Resolution Audio Opus 21 and McIntosh MCD 201.

After much thumb-twiddling in deciding to forgo multi-ch music, I saved a lot by getting a redbook-only player. Otherwise, I would have been very curious about this NAD unit myself.

 

[fmw]

If the question is "are other players that are more expensive worth the extra money for the sound they produce" the answer would be a resounding no. But, hopefully, you aren't buying a CD player for the sound. If you are buying it because you like and want it, then the answer lies in your budget and your preferences, not in someone else's opinion.

CD DAC's are a mature and inexpensive technology. It is actually difficult to find an incompetent one. Virtually all of them are competent and will sound about the same. That statement isn't an opinion. It is personal experience based on objective listening tests.

Buy it because you like it. Nothing wrong with that.