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NAD's cheapest is tops
Easily betters DVD players for CDs
By Greg Fleming
March 2002
After seeing off a selection of cheap to mid-price DVD players in a shoot out, the 521 marked itself out as one to watch. It’s the new NAD entry-level CD player and updates the 520 with a new, revised tray which was the 520’s achilles heal (well, that and the inability at times to play certain CDRs – a problem the 521 also rectifies).
Despite the temptation of getting both a CD and a DVD player in one box I have to sadly report that as yet a dedicated CD player gets the best performance out of one’s CD collection. Simply, the 521 proved the more detailed, enjoyable and accurate player – presenting a depth of soundstage and sense of overall musicality the DVD players failed to match, although they too are improving.
I duly brought the 521 home and set it up in my own system (a Musical Fidelity CD player, Krell integrated amplifier and a pair Tannoy dual concentric speakers). I used Nordost Black Knight interconnects to connect the 521 (yes do try to use good interconnects between the 521 and your amp, they needn’t be expensive) and left it running overnight to break in (I noticed quite a difference after break in – the 521 lost an annoying stridency in the top end and also just seemed more generally more musical).
Design wise the 521 follows NAD's well known minimalist design – battleship grey with a handsome, easily visible lcd display that can be easily made out across a room. On the rear of the 521 there are just two RCAs for the amplifier interconnects and a coaxial digital out.
CD replay has advanced in leaps and bounds in the past decade and as well as getting cheaper, the lower budget end of the spectrum has also seen a huge improvement in quality. Of course a good turntable still out performs even the finest CD player but digital has certainly come a very long way in 20 years.
As I listened to CD after CD (everything from Miles Davis’s classic session Live At The Plugged Nickel to Wilco’s pop masterwork of 1999 Summerteeth) I was amazed at how good the 521 sounded. The brightness I heard on first listening was gone after a few days break in and this budget model proved that the old dictum of spending most of your money on your source is nowadays poppycock. [Ahem! This is going a bit far! - Editor]
Buy a decent budget CD Player like the 521, partner it with a good amp and decent speakers and you have a grand system which can always be upgraded when finances allow. Today’s $749 521 player for example easily competes with a $2-3000 dollar player from the mid-nineties.
Now don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying all CD players sound the same rather the difference between a budget player like the 521 and a $2-3ooo dollar player are simply not as great as they were. The 521 for example captured the atmosphere of the legendary Chicago club where Miles and band performed in the mid 60’s with ease – from the clatter of the cutlery, ringing of the register, drunken hecklers to the occasional ringing of the phone it was all there!
NAD have got it right with this player- and have done it by following the same recipe that gave their 3020 integrated it’s legendary status at the company’s outset – by spending the money where it counts on quality components and build quality.
The result is a player that given a good amp and speakers can give a hint of high-end audio quality.
At it’s recommended retail of $749 dollars the 521 is quite literally a steal – great for a second system at the bach for the confirmed audiophile or a great starter player for those not content with the dreaded mini-system and who demand a separates system that can be upgraded when finances allow.
After 20 years we are finally seeing CD sound quality trickle down to the budget or starter systems and the 521 sets a standard others can only follow. Indeed at it’s price point the 521 is king – although at the rate digital technology is moving expect an overthrow in the near future!
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