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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 20, 2010 18:52:34 GMT
Listening to The Who "Tommy" SACD...... Nice!  |
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 20, 2010 19:25:23 GMT
Listening to The Who "Tommy" SACD...... Nice! Really? I just tried Miles Davis Kind Of Blue on hybrid SACD and found it dull and uninspiring. Just to make sure it wasn't my ears (I'm a bit knackered today) I connected my K701s to my CMoy and Kind of Blue into my panasonic CDP portable. The panasonic blew the NAD away on this recording. The NAD had a lower noise floor and was more delicate but the Panasonic was much more vibrant and energetic and consequently much more enjoyable. CD on the NAD is starting to deliver the goods though. SACD is disappointing me at the moment but I've left kind of blue in the player on repeat and will have a listen later. Maybe I need to cook the SACD bit of the circuit a bit more. ;D |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 20, 2010 19:34:56 GMT
Tommy (SACD) on the NAD is most revealing Toad.... you can hear every little imperfection in the recording (and there are lots of them) I sat all through side one tapping my feet.... it's a really engaging listen and definitely "opened" up a bit since yesterday.... I could do with a touch more bass tho', it doesn't have the bass grunt of my CD17 and I do miss that. Having said that, the sound is very nicely balanced and the bass that is there integrates well with the rest of the spectrum.
Have you tried it as a DVD player yet? Picture quality very respectable with the stock shite cable.....
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 20, 2010 19:43:28 GMT
I haven't connected it to a TV yet TBH Let's face it though, it's gotta be better than a £250 Sony that I got for £99 in a sale a couple of years ago. When I'm convinced it's not better sonically than my Arcam I'll put it in the 5.1 system. Until then it's upstairs so I can A to B the two. Ian |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 20, 2010 20:00:11 GMT
I haven't connected it to a TV yet TBH The main reason I bought it was for it's DVD capabilities. You can count the number of DVD's I've watched in my lifetime on one hand so I thought it time I bought a half decent DVD player with the intention of watching live Rock shows.... I've got it hooked up to my Samsung LE22A455C bedroom TV with audio out into WAD HD-83 amp driving Senn HD-250ll linears..... so far, it's great  |
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 20, 2010 20:27:33 GMT
Cool |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 20:28:19 GMT
Sound even better if you had your nice shiny square knob on it, Mike  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 20:46:55 GMT
Hi Guys,
FWIW can I put my 2 penn'orth into the pool.
First, thanks to Mike for the 'heads up' in the OP.
I tend to be an impulse buyer, particularly when I think the 'bargin' may not be available for long ;D , so I pounced on this fairly quickly. I would like to endorse everything that's been said about the supplier - prompt shipment, excellent communications and (almost) a pleasure giving them £200.
I've tried it on DVD, SACD, HDCD CD, some home recorded 24/96 discs given to me by members of another place, and mp3 discs and I'm well pleased. Like all things versatile it can take a while to get to grips with controlling it but it certainly does what it says on the box. I can't fault it's performance in any way, or it's build quality. I'm not saying it's perfect but it's bloody good at any price and a 'steal' for the money. It's sonic performance certainly beats my Marantz CD63-Mk II KI into a cocked hat and that only plays CDs. It is certainly getting better as it 'burns in', so it's all good so far.
If anyone is hesitating about whether to 'take the plunge' my advice would be to go for it.
I'm now going to see if I can find a good long SCART lead to see if the picture improves over the cheapy current video input.
Well spotted, and shared, Mike.
Dave.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 23:10:08 GMT
Mike I presume all the cabinet lighting being on, is just for show ? I doubt that you would watch that TV with the cabinet lighting on !  Alex |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 20, 2010 23:16:53 GMT
Hi Guys, FWIW can I put my 2 penn'orth into the pool. First, thanks to Mike for the 'heads up' in the OP. I tend to be an impulse buyer, particularly when I think the 'bargin' may not be available for long ;D , so I pounced on this fairly quickly. I would like to endorse everything that's been said about the supplier - prompt shipment, excellent communications and (almost) a pleasure giving them £200. I've tried it on DVD, SACD, HDCD CD, some home recorded 24/96 discs given to me by members of another place, and mp3 discs and I'm well pleased. Like all things versatile it can take a while to get to grips with controlling it but it certainly does what it says on the box. I can't fault it's performance in any way, or it's build quality. I'm not saying it's perfect but it's bloody good at any price and a 'steal' for the money. It's sonic performance certainly beats my Marantz CD63-Mk II KI into a cocked hat and that only plays CDs. It is certainly getting better as it 'burns in', so it's all good so far. If anyone is hesitating about whether to 'take the plunge' my advice would be to go for it. I'm now going to see if I can find a good long SCART lead to see if the picture improves over the cheapy current video input. Well spotted, and shared, Mike. Dave. Dave....... I've had a "day" to read the manual and look around the net..... may I suggest you buy one of these........ seems the best buy out there The more I listen to the NAD the more I am convinced that this was one helluva bargain..... it rocks! Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 20, 2010 23:20:37 GMT
Mike I presume all the cabinet lighting being on, is just for show ? I doubt that you would watch that TV with the cabinet lighting on ! Alex Lights on so the camera would take a better pic mate ;D "Daylight" will soon be coming to Northern Scotland (April / May) but, in the meantime, got to rely on artificial lighting ;D |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 21, 2010 10:34:10 GMT
Day three...... got a CD on loop...... will report on the SQ "progress" later on  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2010 10:40:02 GMT
The DVD picture quality is great with the HDMI cable, well worth the £199, and as this is the main reason for my purchase, i am a happy bunny  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 21, 2010 11:34:24 GMT
The DVD picture quality is great with the HDMI cable, well worth the £199, and as this is the main reason for my purchase, i am a happy bunny I await my HDMI cable Mick, the picture quality with stock cable is very good too "and" the DVD sound quality. I've got a feeling I will grow to really love this well built box of tricks. Some have commented that the styling is a bit "tired" I LOVE it... it's understated and functional.... no "bling" on display... superb! The SQ is definitely opening up now (especially the treble and mids) so I am VERY happy with every aspect of this multi player and, whatever way you look at it, it has to be classed as a real bargain @ £199 (some nutters pay that for a metre of mains cable  ) Hours of fun to be had from this unassuming grey box and knowing that it has a £1300 M55 "engine" under the hood certainly adds to the "feel good" factor. I notice that "stoned" audio are still charging £778.09 for it! ( www.stoneaudio.co.uk/ ) erm...... |
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Post by robertkd on Feb 21, 2010 11:44:30 GMT
The DVD picture quality is great with the HDMI cable, well worth the £199, and as this is the main reason for my purchase, i am a happy bunny I await my HDMI cable Mick, the picture quality with stock cable is very good too "and" the DVD sound quality. I've got a feeling I will grow to really love this well built box of tricks. Some have commented that the styling is a bit "tired" I LOVE it... it's understated and functional.... no "bling" on display... superb! The SQ is definitely opening up now (especially the treble and mids) so I am VERY happy with every aspect of this multi player and, whatever way you look at it, it has to be classed as a real bargain @ £199 (some nutters pay that for a metre of mains cable ) Hours of fun to be had from this unassuming grey box and knowing that it has a £1300 M55 "engine" under the hood certainly adds to the "feel good" factor. I notice that "stoned" audio are still charging £778.09 for it! ( www.stoneaudio.co.uk/ ) erm...... Good point Mike, after all you watch the screen to enjoy the movie not the player |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2010 13:42:29 GMT
Agreed i love the styling, and the picture quality first class, jury still out for me regarding cd,SQ, but it is improving, no regrets at all, a bargain. Bye for now. Mick out. |
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 21, 2010 13:42:48 GMT
It's not the prettiest of beasts but it isn't as bad as some of the reviewers make out. I quite like it TBH. As for the CD sound it's starting to open out a bit now. As Mike says the mids and highs have improved a lot. The bass has a bit more weight to it than straight out of the box but has a bit to go but as I said earlier I had to wait 3 weeks for my Arcam to cook fully so the NAD could well catch up yet. SACD is finally starting to open up too. Even if it doesn't improve further (and I'm sure it will) £200 is a bargain... in fact a heck of a bargain IMHO. EDIT: Just come up for another listen and there has been a massive leap in SQ. Some part or other has finished cooking because the presence, vitality and life in the music has blossomed in the few hours since I last listened. Now we're cooking  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2010 21:00:38 GMT
Dave....... I've had a "day" to read the manual and look around the net..... may I suggest you buy one of these........ seems the best buy out there The more I listen to the NAD the more I am convinced that this was one helluva bargain..... it rocks! Mike. Hi Mike, I'll see your HDMI cable and raise you mine . Take a look at these: cgi.ebay.co.uk/1m-NEET-HDMI-CABLE-1-3-GOLD-1080p-HD-LEAD-HIGH-SPEED_W0QQitemZ140384477333QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item20af912095I'm not sure of what length you want but they supply several. I've got 2 of these in my system (sorry, correction, only one as I gave the other to my daughter) and can speak from first hand experience that they do what it says on the box (or listing ). Even my daughter, who is generally most reluctant to admit that her old dad has got something right (  ), admitted that it considerably improved her picture on her Philips LCD TV - my TV is a Sony LCD, so that's covered 2 of the possibilities ;D . Invest! Dave. |
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 21, 2010 21:25:56 GMT
I see your cable and raise you a 7dayshop variant. £2.99 www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_7&products_id=105192TBH I've never used their HDMI cables as I only have an old Sony CRT TV but it looks damn fine for the cash. Indeed it states on that page: 7dayshop.com cables are manufactured to the highest standards and represent our best possible value. We promise that our cables will offer the same or better performance than cables costing several times the price. If for any reason (and within 90 days) you are not 101% delighted with your 7dayshop.com cable please return to us for a full refund of the purchase price paid. All we ask is that the cable shows no sign of damage or abuse etc. I've bought lots of stuff from them. Mainly memory, memory cards and usb pens, card readers etc but they have always provided decent service and ridiculously cheap prices. Ian |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 21, 2010 23:11:03 GMT
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Feb 22, 2010 8:42:11 GMT
Damn you and your pretty coloured plastic ends! |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 22, 2010 10:32:13 GMT
Damn you and your pretty coloured plastic ends! Yeh.... looks quite nifty   |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2010 10:32:35 GMT
Thanks for the HDMI recommendations guys BUT..... The ad says, "this is the cable that will deliver!" and I must believe them Oh well, you just can't help some folks, , as Granny used to say. But there again, ....... it might be worth another try . Have a look at this - unbeatable bargain if you believe the stated discount. I'm happy to admit that I bought a couple but, IIRC, the price was MUCH lower when I bought mine. The one's I bought are very good and certainly better than any OEM leads supplied with the equipment. Dave. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 22, 2010 22:13:27 GMT
The T585 has opened out "lovely" now but I am still missing the "bass" my CD17 puts out..... having said that, the T585 makes me want to "sing" and it's been a long time since I did that so I consider it a very musical piece of gear. Don't shout at me but I have ordered another one for downstairs |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2010 22:35:26 GMT
The T585 has opened out "lovely" now but I am still missing the "bass" my CD17 puts out..... having said that, the T585 makes me want to "sing" and it's been a long time since I did that so I consider it a very musical piece of gear. Don't shout at me but I have ordered another one for downstairs It would be interesting to try one of those in to a very good DAC via SPDIF,(obviously not SACD) as very few people can take advantage of the sound quality available from HDMI due to equipment limitations at the other end of the HDMI cable. |
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), admitted that it considerably improved her picture on her Philips LCD TV - my TV is a Sony LCD, so that's covered 2 of the possibilities ;D .