NAD 5000 CD Player...anyone???
DermGuy
DAC does it use??? Does it have coax dig out? Is it reliable? Price? How
does it compare to the 502???
I'm using the NAD 304 int amp currently, and a Philips CD950, but, being
the vain soul that I am, would like a CD player that provides a better
match with my amp (black and NAD green just don't fit well) without
compromising sound quality....
Thanks,
JLL
not fred
I recently went through an ordeal here in Chicago regarding an NAD 5000. In
February, I was set on purchasing a CD player for around $300 so I went to a
local dealer (no names) who was offering a 502 for about $270 (in stock). He
also had one 5000 available and he was offering it to me for $310. Sounded too
good to be true.
The 5000 received its share of very good to excellent reviews back in 1990;
it's based around an 18-bit MASH. It sounded fantastic...except I noticed a
strange clipping sound out of the left channel during exceptionally loud
passages of some CD's. So I took it back to the dealer who inserted a test CD.
One track of the CD had a standard 0dB 1000 Hz signal; when fed into the right
channel, it sounded fine, but when fed into the left it sounded like someone
playing the flute with their anus.
Anyway, after two months of attempted repairs, the dealer (that's authorized
NAD) had no idea how to fix the problem--i.e. the problem wasn't in any easily
replacable part or they're completely stupid. (Eventually they traced it to a
muting circuit?!)
So after the long waiting I gave up and went back to the dealer to pick up a
502. IMHO this player sounds a dull after hearing the 5000 (when it wasn't
clipping). If you can get your hands on a working one (my old one will be out
of the shop eventually) do so. (By the way I think the standard dimensions and
overall style of NAD components have changed quite a bit over the past few
years if aethetics is a concern the 5000 may look dated next to your 304 etc.)
--Good luck
not fred
Philip Blanda
using it as a transport for a Theta Pro Prime II.
In answer to some of your questions:
> What kind of DAC does it use???
It uses a form of single bit called MASH. This is not a true single bit but
uses something like 3.2 (??) bits. Matsushita (Panasonic, Technics) uses this
technology.
> Does it have coax dig out?
Yes it does. It also has fixed (good sounding) and variable (not so good
sounding) line outs.
> Is it reliable?
Mine broke in the first three months I had it, was repaired under warrenty and
has worked perfectly ever since.
> Price?
$499 at the time. I have no idea if they are still being sold new.
My own two bits:
When I lived in London (two mnths ago) I compared the NAD 5000 to the
5000/Theta Pro Prime II combo and to the Linn Karik/Numarik combo (Linn is
cheaper in the U.K. than in the U.S.) in my flat. I also auditioned the Naim
CDI (middle level Naim, might be called the CDS, I forget) at a dealer. I
found that I would *always* uncover new detail when listening to the 5000/Theta
and also found it to be smoother sounding than any of the others except the
Naim which was sooo smooth the music lacked some detail. It was easy to listen
to, however and really got your toes tapping. I found the straight NAD 5000 to
be superior to the Linn which didn't seem to be able to throw a soundstage with
any depth. At the price, I found the Linn laughably bad. I would rank the Naim
above the 5000, but not by that much. Not bad considering the Naim cost 1800
pounds sterling.
I believe that Stereophile ranked the NAD 5000 class C when it was reviewed.
Philip J. Blanda III
I speak for myself, not for my company.
Daryl Howard
: Is anyone familiar with the NAD 5000?? If so, how old is it? What kind of
: DAC does it use??? Does it have coax dig out? Is it reliable? Price? How
: does it compare to the 502???
: I'm using the NAD 304 int amp currently, and a Philips CD950, but, being
: the vain soul that I am, would like a CD player that provides a better
: match with my amp (black and NAD green just don't fit well) without
: compromising sound quality....
: Thanks,
: JLL
I just bought a demo NAD 5000 yesterday. The date of manufacture on the
rear panel was 1991. I'm not sure what kind of DAC it uses, but it does
have a coax digital out. As far as reliability goes, I'll just have to
wait and see. I paid about $570 Canadian for it or $340 US. I haven't
heard the 502, but I did a head to head test of the 5000 against my old
Sony. The 5000 provided much more detail and just made me want to listen to
my collection of CDs over and over. I think it would be a great match
for your 304.
Cheers,
Daryl
Avie Crunspan
>Is anyone familiar with the NAD 5000?? If so, how old is it? What kind of
>DAC does it use??? Does it have coax dig out? Is it reliable? Price? How
>does it compare to the 502???
>I'm using the NAD 304 int amp currently, and a Philips CD950, but, being
>the vain soul that I am, would like a CD player that provides a better
>match with my amp (black and NAD green just don't fit well) without
>compromising sound quality....
I purchased this unit 2nd hand over two years ago for $350 and it has given
me flawless entertainment with excellent sonic quality. Many folks deride
the NAD players due to frequent breakdowns, especially their multidisc
models. But this particular unit has a good repair record. I believe the
vintage is circa 1990. It does have a digital coax out with both variable
and fixed line outs. Also has a simple remote. Definately worth the
audition.
Good luck, Avie
Michael Bell
writes:
>Is anyone familiar with the NAD 5000?? If so, how old is it? What kind of
>DAC does it use??? Does it have coax dig out? Is it reliable? Price? How
>does it compare to the 502???
I rather like the sound of my NAD 5000. I think it is much better than
the 502. Strings are much smoother with the 5000. It is not as good as
other CD players in certain aspects, but it also lacks the irritating
edgy qualities of most players in its price range.
I am pretty sure it is not being made anymore which probably accounts for
why people are starting to find good deals on it. The original list was
$500.
Michael Bell
Jane F. Tillman
> Is anyone familiar with the NAD 5000?? If so, how old is it? What kind of
> DAC does it use??? Does it have coax dig out? Is it reliable? Price? How
> does it compare to the 502???
Hello.
The NAD 5000 was available new up until early 1994, and was originally
introduced in 1990/1991-- so it's hard to say how old a particular unit
is, if the date of manufacture sticker has been removed. In any case, the
5000 has been quite reliable overall.
A perfect condition 5000 owned by a friend (highest possible price, in
other words) would probably go for $325.00. Average price would be
$250.00 or so, anything below that is tilted in your favor.
The 5000 does sound better than the 502, although you would never
believe it from the writing power of Corey G. It's also better built. On
the other hand, if both units were new, lots of people would pick the 502
as the better buy, given the $200 price differential ($499/299).
(BTW, the new 513 and 517 NAD players are sonically better still than
the still current 502 and the now gone 5000.)
Mark